It’s New Year celebrations all round for Devon-based Care Home, ‘The Old Vicarage’ in Otterton, following an exceptional year. The independent care home, which has just celebrated their 30th year, received an ‘outstanding’ rating in the domain of caring from Care Quality Commission (CQC) and was recently recognised with not one, but two prestigious national awards by Caring UK.

Set in the picturesque village of Otterton, The Old Vicarage provides quality care in a charming country house setting, ideal for those wishing to spend their retirement in a caring family atmosphere. It has a long-held reputation for creating a compassionate environment in a warm and welcoming home for both residents and visitors alike.

The CQC commented in their report: “Everyone we spoke with described a caring, kind, friendly and respectful staff team. They were highly motivated and offered care and support that was exceptionally compassionate and thoughtful. The registered managers and staff daily went above and beyond what was required to support people.”

Mark Robson – Home Manager, The Old Vicarage Residential Care Home comments: “It is wonderfulto be recognised by the CQC for giving outstanding care, this rating means so much to all of us and I am incredibly proud of the whole team. We treat our residents like they are members of our own family, and as a team,we do whatever we can to provide thoughtful and compassionate care. Receiving praise and gratitude from those who we look after makes it all worthwhile, the commendation from the CQC is the icing on the cake.”

Husband and wife, Pat and Mike Parkin, established the care home in 1988 and were joined by their daughter, Rebecca, and her partner, Dan Green, five years ago to continue the family tradition. At the glittering Caring UK Awards event held in December at The Athena, in Leicester the family-run business beat off stiff competition to be crowned the UKs ‘Catering Team of the Year’. The cherry on top was when Pat and Mike were also presented with the ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ initiating a standing ovation in the room, marking appreciation of their exceptional contribution to the care industry.

The awards, organised by Caring UK and sponsored by Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank, recognise excellence, innovation and achievement in all corners of the care industry. Finalists in these categories went through a rigorous assessment process involving a site visit by a member of the awards’ team who toured the facilities, chatted to residents and staff, and examined all areas of the business from CQC reports to communication skills. The special ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ is presented to the person, or persons whom the judges believe have dedicated their working life to the care industry and made a long-term remarkable contribution.

Rebecca Parkin comments: “I’m extremely proud of my parents who deserve this very special award in recognition of their tireless dedication to the care and welfare of our residents over the last thirty years. Residents and staff also passed on their congratulations and are delighted the home has received these amazing accolades, and to see Pat and Mike nationally recognised.”

Catering staff at The Old Vicarage received praise from Caring UK for their freshly prepared meals and special menus created on site, sourcing most of their meat and fish, fruit and vegetables from local suppliers, and The Old Vicarage’s own garden. This ensures all food is freshly cooked for extra taste and nutrition. Catering Manager Sue Potter and her award-winning team aim to cook hearty, home-cooked and wholesome food with all dietary needs and preferences catered for. A resident said:“The food is excellent just like we had at home. Everything is homemade, and the quality and variety is good, and it’s always fresh.”

Mark Robson – Home Manager, The Old Vicarage Residential Care Home concludes: “We are absolutely over the moon with receiving these prestigious awards, recognising the supreme efforts of our dedicated team and wonderful feedback from our residents and their families. Sue Potter, our Catering Manager, is exceptional and provides high-quality catering, which is an important part of the service we offer to maintain the mental well-being and health of our residents.”

www.theoldvicarageotterton.com

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