Allanbank scoops victory in the Scottish Care Awards!
The team and residents at Sanctuary Care’s Allanbank Care Home in Dumfries are celebrating after the home won the Nutrition & Eating Well accolade in Scottish Care’s Care Home Awards 2024.
The not-for-profit care home was nominated for the incredible home-cooked meals prepared by Chef Manager, Sharon Marshall, and Assistant Chef, Leah Livingstone.
Together with the wider team, they create a community at Allanbank where food is not just about nutrition, it is also a source of joy, celebration and connection.
Sharon said: “We are so absolutely over the moon and feel so humbled and proud to have won this award. For us this is an award for the whole home, because all the staff are involved in making mealtimes and occasions centred around food so very special.
“We are passionate about enriching the lives of the residents through their mealtime experience, and this award highlights how we are achieving this each and every day.”
One of the many highlights of the nomination was the team’s dedication to ensuring that residents maintain the same sense of choice and enjoyment when it comes to food that they had before moving into a care home.
Recognising that traditional takeaways are often unhealthy; Sharon and the team recreate these meals with a healthier twist. Their Chinese fakeaway with all the sides replicates the flavours and presentation of a takeaway, but with significantly improved nutritional value – no salt, reduced sugar and fat content. These are packaged in takeaway-style trays and delivered to the care home’s front door, much to the residents’ delight.
Themed food nights are another area where the team shine; whether it’s a French, Italian, or Caribbean-inspired evening, a spectacular Burns Supper, or a wartime menu for Remembrance Day, they seize every opportunity to turn mealtimes into a celebration, creating experiences that evoke memories and contribute to the sense of community and belonging.
Sharon actively involves the residents in menu planning, spending time with them every day to gather feedback. She cooks with the residents, rekindling their passion for this pastime and recreates residents’ family recipes from the Allanbank Recipe Book.
In addition to this win, the home is also a finalist for the Catering Team of the Year title in the Caring UK Awards 2024, taking place in Leicester, England on 5 December, so watch this space!
The news comes after Allanbank was named Scotland Care Home of the Year in the Caring UK Awards 2023, before receiving a Very Good Care Inspectorate Rating, with every area rated as Very Good, earlier this year.
For more about life at Sanctuary Care our Enquiry Support Team are here to help on 0800 331 7421.
