Care sector pays tribute to 'passionate' and 'inspiring' care personality

On 17 April, care personality Annie Sinnott passed away unexpectedly in hospital after decades of providing support, inspiration and encouragement to families, friends and care staff at The Old Vicarage in Leigh, Dorset and across the entire sector.

Annie spent 14 years working as a community nurse before opening The Old Vicarage with her husband in 1984 with just one resident and one member of staff.

More than 30 years later, the home provides care and accommodation for up to 40 residents and the home has received a host of local and national awards in recognition of quality of care provided.

In 2007, Annie was awarded an MBE by Prince Charles for her services to social care, while in 2013, she was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award at the Great South West Care Awards in recognition of her commitment to the sector.

Professor Martin Green of Care England commented: “Annie was a truly remarkable person, who was one of the most caring and inspirational people in the care sector.

“I have known Annie for over ten years and she never ceased to strive for improved care and always put her residents and their families at the centre of everything she did. Annie also worked tirelessly to share good practice and she was a true exemplar and ambassador for the entire care system.

'An ambassador for the care sector'

“The Old Vicarage has won many well deserved awards and accolades over the years and Annie always acknowledged the fantastic work of her colleagues when receiving any praise or recognition.

“Annie was a tremendous ambassador for care and her legacy will be seen not only in her own exemplary services but across the entire sector."

In January this year, the home was rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and remains a testament to Annie and her team’s hard work and dedication to deliver excellent care in a safe and homely environment.

Speaking about the achievement, chief inspector of adult social care, at the CQC, Andrea Sutcliffe, said: “I was delighted that The Old Vicarage was awarded a rating of ‘Outstanding’ following our inspection in November last year. This service is a great example of how excellent care can be achieved, and is testament to the hard work and determination of Annie and her staff in ensuring a safe and caring environment, where people are treated with dignity and respect.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to her loved ones.”

Ensuring that The Old Vicarage was part of the village community life in Leigh and a focal point of local social and fundraising activities, Annie personally took part in multiple physically demanding projects, including treks to Kilimanjaro, Nepal, and Vietnam, raising significant amounts for national medical charities. Despite her own achievements, Annie continued to celebrate and encourage others, supporting staff members to obtain new qualifications and win their own awards.

Passionate and determined

Annie was known for her passion and determination to provide excellent care, demanding answers when others dare not ask, widely respected and admired by her friends and colleagues.

Friend of Annie, Davina Ludlow, director of carehome.co.uk said: “I have known Annie for many, many years and thought of her not only as a colleague in the care sector, but also as a personal friend. Annie was a delightful, generous, caring and lovely lady, who will be so sadly missed by everyone who knew her.”

Natalie Adams worked with Annie at The Old Vicarage from when she left school, working weekends and taking tea round to the residents at the home. Inspired by Annie’s dedication, she completed relevant qualifications and earned more responsibility, eventually becoming the manager of the home in 2006, where she remained until November 2015.

She said: “Annie saw the potential in me that I didn’t see myself and encouraged me to follow my dreams in nursing and was supportive in everything I did.

“Annie was an amazing lady and like a second mother, we spent a lot of time together both in and outside of work, she was a friend and a part of my family. I found her so welcoming and inspiring and wanted to emulate her passion for delivering excellent care.

“The whole team are a credit to Annie and her legacy will live-on through the amazing care being provided at the home and across the sector. She was so proud of everything and touched so many lives.”

'An inspirational role model'

Close friend of more than 25 years and owner of Nazareth Lodge, Camilla Trimble paid tribute to Annie, describing her as one her ‘greatest friends and colleagues’. She said: “Annie was unique - straight talking and direct, always welcoming and her kindness and compassion were felt by many. The care and well-being of both her residents and staff were her priority. The Old Vicarage has a thoroughly well-deserved reputation in the field of elderly care and the walls of the home bear testament to the numerous awards won over the years.

“She had high standards and called a spade a spade, was a wonderful motivator and keen advocate of training and was an inspirational role model for her staff. She was particularly proud of the achievements of those staff members who started straight from school in the kitchen doing the washing up working their way through the ranks to be competent and caring members of the management team.

“Over the years Annie became a campaigner for the elderly, was one of the founders of Care Ambassadors which has done so much in promoting the positive side of working in residential care. She was also a leading light in the Dorset Care Association and she was on the Skills for Care South West Regional Committee. Only recently we both attended a reception at the House of Lords hosted by Care England which provided a launch pad for the 'Outstanding Society of Care Homes in the UK' of which we are both proud members. She was just always there reaching out wanting to help others.

"Annie's glass was always full to overflowing and staff always heard her five minutes before she actually arrived in the building! Her strong faith and sense of fun permeated all that she did.”

Held in high regard throughout the industry and inspired by every event she attended, Annie was a spokesperson for the sector, keen to share her insights and experiences with others working in the sector, to help influence their practice and bring out the best in everyone.

Annie is survived by her husband Ian, their daughters Josie and Carey and four grandchildren.

For anyone wishing to pay their respects, a memorial service will be held at Sherborne Abbey on Friday 24th June at 2pm.