A resident and staff duo from Rose Lodge care home in Newton Aycliffe have won first place in the UK’s Care Home Idol 2013. The online competition, was designed to showcase the talent and fun that exists in care homes. Votes were gathered from friends, family and the public live on the website carehome.co.uk.
Link to carehome.co.uk Care Home Idol general page:http://www.carehome.co.uk/idol/index.cfm/show_filter/carehome/sort_filter/votes/
Link to Rose Lodge’s Care Home Idol video entry: http://www.carehome.co.uk/idol/idol.cfm/id/63
Gladys Stephens, a resident at Rose Lodge and who turns 97 this year said: “I am really pleased to have won the competition, It has been really good fun.”
Karen Frew-McGill, Care Manager said: “We are all delighted that Gladys and Bev have won the competition. I am so proud of both of them. It has been really touching to see the support and backing that their entry had from the whole community. Gladys and Bev are very good friends and I believe the reason the video was so popular is because it really came across that these are two people who genuinely care deeply for each other.”
Davina Ludlow, Director of carehome.co.uk said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to Gladys & Bev and Rose Lodge care home. This video really showcases the excellent bond that can exist between care staff and a resident. I hope that the pair will continue to sing together regularly. It is clear from the video how much joy their friendship brings.”
The Care Home Idol Initiative has the backing of Penny Mordaunt MP, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ageing and Older People she said:
“There is rightly much focus on the care system when things go wrong, but we should remember that there are also some wonderful homes out there where residents are supported to pursue their hobbies and talents, while being engaged and entertained.”
Gladys and Bev – Care Home Duo
