Care Home Idol: Care homes battle it out to win the title

Care home residents and care home entertainers from all over the UK have been battling it out over the last few months in a bid to win the coveted title of Care Home Idol 2014.

Winner - Langley Haven Dementia Care Home

Residents from Langley Haven Dementia Care Home, in Slough, Berkshire, managed to scoop first prize with their rendition of ‘Maybe it’s Because I am a Londoner’.

Yogesh Patel, operations director of the home called it “great news” and said: “We are obviously very happy for our team at Langley Haven who always go out of their way to ensure that the residents‘ lives are made as entertaining and active as possible. To win Care Home Idol 2014 against all the care homes in the UK is great news, and an honest reward for all their efforts.”

To view, Langley Haven care home’s video, go to www.carehome.co.uk/idol/idol.cfm/id/132

The runners-up in the annual competition run by carehome.co.uk, the leading online guide to care homes, were Ashley Gardens Care Centre in Maidstone, in Edinburgh and the Oldest Choir in the World from St John's House in York. The contest is designed to showcase the talent and vibrancy that exists in care homes and challenge people’s preconceptions of residential care.

There are two categories, one for residents and staff and one for professional entertainers and the winners are decided by the public who vote online for their favourite act.

In the professional entertainers’ category, from Wirral, scooped the top spot and the runners-up were from Buckinghamshire, Matthew Gembalczyk from , Manchester and from Southend-on-sea.

Winner - Linda Pelling

Linda Pelling, from South Wirral, won the competition with her medley of songs which included ‘Wonderful World’ and ‘Long Way to Tipperary’.

Linda, who is passionate about entertainment in care homes, said: “I am just over the moon to be the winner of Care Home Idol 2014. It is great to share the positive side of care homes, show the love and care that most of them provide and as an entertainer, it is such an honour to be invited into care homes around the country and brighten the days for residents and staff.

“carehome.co.uk is such a brilliant company bringing all aspects of care together under one umbrella and to also run a contest to showcase talent and residents taking part also, is just amazing.

“I was thrilled enough last year coming third place but just so chuffed to get to first place this year as this hopefully will open more doors for more work in my chosen field – I only sing in care homes nowadays, because it is so rewarding.”

To view, Linda Pelling’s entry, go to www.carehome.co.uk/idol/idol.cfm/id/164

Care Home Idol shines spotlight on talent in care homes

Davina Ludlow, director of carehome.co.uk said: “Firstly we would like to thank everyone who submitted a video to Care Home Idol.

“We have been pleased to see so many care home residents and entertainers get involved and I am sure the general public has enjoyed watching the videos. Care Home Idol is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on all the great talent that exists in care homes.

“To the overall winners, Langley Haven Dementia Care Home and Linda Pelling, a special well done to you!”

The winning care home will receive a trophy, £500 plus a Breezie tablet - tablet software that makes the Internet easier for older users who are less familiar with technology, supplied on a Samsung Galaxy tablet. The winner in the entertainers category will receive a trophy and £500 and all the finalists will receive a trophy.

Breezie

Jeh Kazimi, founder and chief executive of Breezie, which has supported Care Home Idol and is awarding a Breezie tablet to Langley Haven care home, said: “Congratulations to all of the residents and staff involved in Langley Haven's winning entry. Providing entertainment to those living in care facilities is a huge part of our mission at Breezie as we bring the Internet to older people - and the staff and residents look like they're really enjoying themselves here.

“Breezie wanted to support Care Home Idol because it's important for residents in care homes to benefit from schemes that can really brighten up their days and keep their mind active. We applaud carehome.co.uk for managing the competition, and all of the entrants who spent time on their entries - you all brought us a smile in the office.”

Care Home Idol has been backed by MP Penny Mordaunt who called it “great fun and a good excuse for a knees-up in homes around the country”.

She added: “There is rightly much focus on the care system when things go wrong, but we should remember that there are also some wonderful homes out there where residents are supported to pursue their hobbies and talents, while being engaged and entertained.” To view all the entries go to www.carehome.co.uk/idol/

click here for more details or to contact carehome.co.uk