An Award Winning Small Team, With a Big Heart and Grand Plans
We recently had the privilege of interviewing Samantha Shapwanale, Manager at Merryfields Care Home in Felixstowe, to delve into their remarkable journey, including their recent triumph at the Suffolk Care Awards 2023, where they were honoured as the Small Team of the Year. Samantha shared insights into their award-winning strategies and their longstanding partnership with Care Development East (CDE).
Award-Winning Initiatives
Merryfields' success can be attributed to their approach in overcoming challenges while maintaining a positive atmosphere. The team fostered connections with local homes, organising outings to the beach for both their residents and those from neighbouring homes. To keep everyone connected, virtual quiz mornings were run together with other care homes, beginning together a wider community of carers and their residents.
“Merryfields have been working to each other’s strengths to ensure that every challenge faced was overcome, while continuously smiling. The team have created valuable connections with local homes in order to build integrated relationships for their residents and were able to take their residents and residents from other homes out for the day to the local beach. Regular virtual quiz mornings have been set up with other homes to ensure that they all stay connected.
Merryfields experiences a different culture each month by selecting new countries to bring aspects of these cultures into the home, such as food and activities, which include cultures familiar to residents and staff. This has enabled them to understand each other better, helping us to learn from one another, communicate better and ensure that everyone feels included.” - Care Development East
Impact of Winning Small Team of the Year
Winning Small Team of the Year was a moment of pride and validation for Merryfields. Samantha was delighted to win the award, that recognised the exceptional team effort.Samantha said “We were delighted to have won this award. It's a testament to the incredible team effort and we are all proud of achieving. It boosted staff confidence and validated their efforts making them feel appreciated and recognised”.
Partnership with Care Development East
Merryfields has a longstanding relationship with CDE, attending the Suffolk Care Awards for several years and securing victories on multiple occasions. Samantha actively participates in CDE's manager network groups, finding them invaluable for building relationships and combating the inherent loneliness that can come with managerial roles. Additionally, Merryfields engages with CDE through workshops, contributing to their continuous professional development.
Samantha said “I attend the manager's network groups that CDE holds and find them very beneficial to me as sometimes it can be lonely as a manager and I don’t receive much support, however, attending these does give opportunities to build relationships.
Myself and the team attend workshops that they deliver too.”
CDE's Support for Professionals in Suffolk
CDE plays a crucial role in keeping Merryfields updated on industry changes. The programmes offered by CDE not only contribute to professional development but also create networking opportunities. The support provided by CDE helps professionals like Samantha navigate the challenges of the care industry more effectively. She continued “CDE keeps us up to date with changes. They offer opportunities for professional development and they create opportunities for networking and building relationships.”
Working in the Care Industry
For Merryfields, working in the care industry is a calling driven by passion and commitment. Samantha and her team are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of their residents, treating them like family. The satisfaction they gain and thrive on from enriching the lives of residents during their final years makes it a truly rewarding profession. Samantha concluded, “We have a passion and are committed to our mission of making a positive impact on someone else's life, supporting them to enrich their lives whilst residing with us. Our residents are like family to us and we want to ensure they are provided with the utmost dignity and quality care during their final years.
It is truly the most rewarding job, and everyone on my team including myself are proud to be working in this industry.”
About Merryfields
Nestled in Felixstowe's vibrant seaside town, Merryfields is an elegant Edwardian residence that prides itself on being a "true Home from Home." With a team of 24 dedicated staff, Merryfields is committed to creating a warm and inviting environment for residents. Surrounded by well-maintained gardens and conveniently located near the town centre, library, promenade, seafront, and beach, Merryfields aims to provide the utmost standard of care within a homely setting. Their focus on thorough staff training and creating a nurturing environment reflects their dedication to making Merryfields a genuine Home from Home.