Two staff members from Burnham-On-Sea’s Frith House care home were forgiven for taking a double look at one of the ‘special guests’ at an awards ceremony this week.
Zara Dunne and Shirley Watts attended the Creative Activity Therapy (CAT) Awards, run by local dementia charity, Reminiscence Learning, where this cardboard cut-out of the Queen attracted plenty of attention!
Accompanied by their Manager, Vicki Mitchell, Zara and Shirley were both presented with their certificates and a black cuddly toy cat, to symbolise the award.
For carers, nurses, community workers and assistants the CAT and TOP CAT awards offer specialist training in all aspects of dementia care – including ways to develop creative and stimulating interactions with dementia sufferers.
Several of those receiving awards at the presentation spoke of the ways in which the care they offered had benefitted from the CAT programmes and how their own confidence and awareness had developed as a result.
The CAT awards, which cover dementia care, reminiscence and activities, were presented by the Mayor of Taunton Deane, Councillor Vivienne Stock-Williams.
Speaking on the achievement of her staff, Vicki Mitchell said: “I’m delighted for Zara and Shirley. Our staff are always looking to gain additional qualifications and knowledge that will benefit the residents of Frith House.”
Each award recipient was presented with a cat to mark their achievement before a specially decorated cake was cut by Reminiscence Learning Chief Executive Fiona Mahoney and Vivienne Stock-Williams.
Reminiscence Learning is one of the Mayor’s three chosen charities for her year in office together with the Children’s Hospice South West and the Somerset Gardens’ Scheme.
The CAT and TOP CAT qualification is nationally accredited and managed from Reminiscence Learning’s base in the Counting House, Tonedale.
Pictured: The Frith House staff at the Reminiscence Learning CAT awards
