Independent residential, nursing, and dementia care home network Caring Homes Group is celebrating after receiving a Princess Royal Training Award (PRTA).
The Princess Royal Training Awards recognise organisations demonstrating exceptional commitment to learning and development. Alongside 46 other organisations, the Caring Homes Group was recognised for its ongoing commitment to training and the positive impact that developing colleagues have had on the wider organisation.
Caring Homes was first recognised by the Awards in 2016 for its Living in my world dementia programme, aimed at enhancing the delivery of care to residents living with dementia. To date, over 5,000 Caring Homes colleagues have been through the programme, 83 per cent have completed training, and a new Dementia Ambassador role has been created.
Established in 1994 by registered nurse Helena Jeffery and her son Paul, Caring Homes operates 70 homes nationwide and remains family-run.
Liz Willis, director of learning and organisational development at Caring Homes, said: “The Living in my world dementia programme is making a positive difference to the lives of people living with dementia, their families, and the dedicated colleagues who support them. This training is delivered nationwide across our care homes, with very positive feedback from the wider care industry, colleagues, and the families we support. The course has also been formally accredited by City & Guilds.
“The training reassures relatives and residents that our colleagues have the expertise of a consistently high standard that is based around best practice, and offers a great career development journey, providing a clearly signposted training route to enhance their skill set in dementia care”.
Helena Jeffery, founder and director at Caring Homes, said: “We are so proud to have been recognised once more by the Princess Royal Training Award. One of the most rewarding aspects is improving lives by supporting residents and their families. At Caring Homes, we firmly believe that supporting and developing the team is also very important, as this enhances our residents’ lives and drives outstanding care.
“We train every member of our team so that residents, families, and their carers can be surrounded by personalised support. From our receptionists to our chefs, and carers to our nurses, the entire team receive our unique award-winning Living in my world dementia training.”
