Oundle pupil through to Care Awards Final

Published on isbi School News dated Monday 9th of June 2014

Oundle School pupil, Sam Ratcliffe (13), a volunteer at Tixover Care Home in Tixover (between Rutland and Peterborough) has made it through to the finals of the Barchester Care Awards.

These are the 9th Barchester Care Awards and this year more than 1,000 people were nominated for awards by care home residents, staff and visitors. All entries have been of a very high standard and Sam is thrilled to find himself through to the finals.

Sam said, 'It's a great honour. I really enjoy spending time with the people living at Tixover, I have learnt so much.'

The awards are open to volunteers from all Barchester homes across the UK and celebrate their commitment in the delivery of high-quality services to more than 10,000 residents cared for in more than 200 locations.

The 12 categories have been created to reflect excellence in a variety of roles across the company ranging from 'Registered Nurse of the Year' to 'Maintenance Champion' and this year sees the introduction of an exciting new category, 'Volunteer of the Year', which acknowledges the special people who go above and beyond to help others in the community.

General Manager, Alan Geeves said: 'This is an amazing achievement and the whole home is supporting Sam. At a time when young people are given such a bad press Sam is an example to all young people. 13 year old Sam was 10 years old when he started as a volunteer at Tixover House. His commitment is outstanding. He spends his time reading the local paper and books to residents as well as supporting them with activities. We at Tixover are extremely proud of Sam and he is loved by so many of our residents.

The awards are about celebrating life and promoting the great quality care we have at Tixover House Care Home.'

Head of Community Action at Oundle School, Liz Dillarstone, commented, 'We are very proud of Sam's commitment and this achievement. The benefits gained from the social interaction between residents at Tixover and the younger generation are obvious with both parties gaining from the experience.

The Community Action programme at Oundle School, which is for Fifth Form (Year 11) to Upper Sixth Form (Year 13), aims to cultivate in pupils a spirit of service and social awareness of the needs of people from all sectors of society and from September four more pupils will be helping at Tixover regularly on a Wednesday afternoon.'

All finalists will now meet the panel of judges in London for the final round of judging and will then attend an awards luncheon at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham to celebrate their achievements and discover if they have won a national award.