Award given to creative worker for coat of arms

Activities co-ordinator Vanessa Duggan was presented with a Ladder to The Moon Award after she helped people living at Hamble Heights design a shield to be hung in the home’s reception area.

Ladder to the Moon is a CQC-recognised creative culture change company, which works with healthcare organisations to develop active, creative, vibrant care services.

Vanessa, 47, spent time with carers and residents to find out the things they liked most about the home.

Each floor of the 60-bed home came up with their own design and Vanessa then helped them agree on the finished look, before it was put to a vote.

The chosen designs were hung in reception, and residents voted for the one that will be permanently displayed.

Vanessa has worked at the Botley Road home for two years.

She said she was delighted to have won the prestigious award, which is given to care home staff who show exceptional creativity and leadership at work.

She said: ‘Many of the residents got a great deal of joy and pleasure from this activity so I’m just glad I could help them do that.

‘As I walked around the floors to see how everyone was getting on you could see and feel the enjoyment and excitement.

‘It will be wonderful to see the finished coat of arms on display. For me to get an award on top of this really is the icing on the cake.’

Resident Eileen King said she loved contributing to the home’s new coat of arms.

She said: ‘I really enjoyed it, with the support of the staff. And well done to Vanessa on her award, it was a great idea.

‘We’re all very excited to see which of the finished designs will be crowned the winner.’

This is the latest of a series of creative activities to take place at the home, suggested by Ladder to The Moon.