Care home's activities coordinator honoured for making war heroes laugh

A war veterans' care home is celebrating after staff member Raquel Pena Aristizabal was named best activities coordinator at the 2018 National Care Awards.

Ms Aristizabal, activities and volunteers manager at the The Royal Star & Garter Homes - Surbiton is responsible for putting a smile on war veterans’ faces by offering more than 50 events and activities at the care home each week.

She organises visits from local military organisations and schools, as well as arranging crafts, films, musical events, group exercises, therapies, quizzes and cookery classes. The Spanish-speaker has even started teaching Spanish lessons to veterans at the care home.

She was singled out for praise at the awards ceremony in London’s Hilton London Metropole on 30 November and was awarded with a hug from TV impressionist Jon Culshaw.

Ms Aristizabal, who joined the charity in 2013, said: “I’m so happy we won, but I would not be standing here with this award if it weren’t for the amazing staff and volunteers I work with.

"This reflects what we all do at The Royal Star & Garter Homes, and illustrates our hard work, passion and drive to deliver the best person-centred care possible.”

‘Contagious’ enthusiasm

Gill, who is a relative of Nobby, a resident at the care home group, said: "Music has been particularly important in Dad’s journey. It helps him to laugh, have fun and participate."

The National Care Awards is an annual event, that celebrates talent in the care sector, highlighting excellence and rewarding those who work to provide outstanding care.

Pauline Shaw, the charity’s director of care said: “It is a joy to watch Raquel at work. Her passion, enthusiasm and energy are boundless and contagious. It brings out the best in the people she works with, and she is much loved by residents. We are lucky to have her, and I think this award is well deserved.”

One of the charity’s volunteers Diane Greenman also praised Ms Aristizabal's hard work. She said: “There’s such warmth and friendship in the home and I think a lot of it is instilled by Raquel, and the amount of hard work she puts in making it feel bright, happy and joyful.”

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