Staff at two care homes are celebrating after picking up prizes at a awards ceremony have won highly commended awards and an overall winner at an awards ceremony.

Employees of St Mary’s Court and The New Deanery homes, in Braintree, were thrilled with the results of the Prosper Essex Care Sector Awards.

Terri Pike, manager at St Mary’s Court, was highly commended in the care leader award and Mark Wadforth, head of maintenance, was highly commended in the unsung hero category.

Paul Westall, chef at St Mary’s Court and The New Deanery, won the nutrition and hydration award.

Mr Westall, who has worked at the two homes for nearly ten years, said: “It’s great to be recognised for all the hard work we do.

“It’s a lovely environment and we enjoy keeping the residents happy.”

“I run a residents’ forum once a month to find out what they like and what they want to see on the menu and I also attend residents’ family meetings at St Mary’s Court.

“We discuss the individual needs of residents who may, for example, have problems chewing or swallowing.”

The awards celebrate good practice and innovation in care, and the excellence and dedication of individuals.

The annual awards were presented at celebratory event attended by care staff, managers and residents from across Essex, held at Chelmsford Racecourse on November 28.

They concluded a successful month for The New Deanery and St Mary’s Court, which also won three awards at The Great British Care Awards, East of England.