Care award winner live on Durham On Air

Kirsty McMullen, Activities Co-ordinator at our Charlotte Grange Care Home, has had her commitment to care recognised live on Durham On Air Radio!

After bringing home the prestigious ‘Care Home Activity Organiser’ Award at The Great North East Care Awards, Kirsty was invited on air to chat about her amazing achievement to Durham On Air presenter, Matthew Donnachie.

The award ceremony took place in Newcastle in July 2021 and recognises the work of individuals, teams and companies across the care sector who’ve demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work.

Kirsty joined Matthew to explain her job and the reasons she won this prestigious award. Throughout the interview Kirsty’s love for her job and the people she supports with was undeniable, as she spoke with confidence about her incredible work at Charlotte Grange.

Kirsty told the presenter, “My favourite thing about my job is the interaction with residents and seeing their smiles when they enjoy an activity. Last year was extremely tough but having stuck together, it’s great to come out the other side and have our hard work recognised!”

Chatting on air, Kirsty talked about the reasons she won the top care sector honour, including her innovative pen pals’ scheme which saw local school children exchanging letters with residents throughout lockdown – creating a bond with the local schools that still remains!

This activity made a huge difference to the lives of many of the people we support at a particularly difficult time as the country went into lockdown. Kirsty’s quick thinking and innovative ideas brought some excellent, fun interactions between the people we support and the wider community.

Kirsty McMullen, Activities Co-ordinator at our Charlotte Grange Care Home said:

“There was definitely a big boost in the mood, it was a big shock for them to go from seeing their families quite often to not seeing their families at all. [The people we support] were absolutely loving the pictures the school children were drawing and were excited to receive the next letter”

After winning at the regional event, Kirsty is now through to The Great British Care Awards National Finals, taking place later this year! I’m sure you’ll join us in wishing Kirsty and all our other finalists the best of luck!

To hear the full interview, click below!

Listen Now: Activity Coordiator Kirsty McMullen on Durham Live – YouTube