Finalists for the Care Team Award

This double recognition is a tremendous achievement for everyone across both homes. It celebrates the experience, professionalism and compassion our colleagues demonstrate every day while supporting residents and their families.

The Care Team Award recognises the importance of teamwork in delivering high-quality care. While individual skills and qualities matter enormously, truly outstanding care is created when people work together, communicate well and remain focused on the needs of every resident.

At both the Old Rectory and Fairways, our teams share a commitment to creating warm, safe and welcoming homes where people feel valued, understood and supported.

Recognition for Two Dedicated Care Teams

Being shortlisted for a Kent Care Award is a proud moment for any care team. Having two ACI Care homes recognised in the same category makes the achievement particularly special.

Our colleagues work across many different roles, but everyone contributes to the experience of living within our homes.

Care colleagues provide personalised support and companionship. Nurses and senior team members help residents manage changing or complex needs. Activity and wellbeing teams create opportunities for enjoyment, connection and purpose. Housekeeping, maintenance, catering and administrative colleagues all play vital roles in ensuring each home remains comfortable, welcoming and well organised.

It is this combined effort that creates a genuine sense of home.

The recognition reflects the strength of the complete teams at the Old Rectory and Fairways, as well as the relationships they build with residents, relatives, colleagues and professionals from the wider community.

Care Centred Around the Individual

Every resident brings their own personality, experiences, routines and preferences into our homes.

Providing excellent care therefore means taking time to understand the individual, rather than expecting people to fit into a standard approach.

Whether someone joins us for residential care, dementia care or a period of respite care, our focus is always on listening to what matters to them.

This may include understanding how they prefer to begin their day, the meals they enjoy, the activities that interest them or the routines that help them feel comfortable and secure.

It also means getting to know the important people, places and memories within their lives.

Person-centred care is built through these details. They allow our teams to provide support that feels personal, respectful and familiar.

At the Old Rectory and Fairways, colleagues work closely together to share knowledge and respond to residents’ changing needs. This communication helps ensure that care remains consistent while still allowing people to retain choice, independence and control wherever possible.

Creating Warm and Supportive Homes

Moving into a care home can be a significant transition for both residents and their families.

Our teams understand the importance of making that experience as reassuring as possible.

A warm welcome, a familiar routine and a friendly face can make an enormous difference during someone’s first days and weeks within a home. Over time, trust develops through consistency, kindness and the knowledge that support is always available.

Families also need to feel confident that their loved one is safe, comfortable and genuinely cared for.

Open communication is therefore an important part of our approach. Our teams take time to listen to questions, share relevant information and involve relatives appropriately in the care of their family member.

The relationships formed between residents, families and colleagues are at the heart of both homes. These connections create trust and help each home feel like a community rather than simply a place where care is provided.

Supporting Meaningful Daily Life

Good care is about much more than meeting physical needs.

Wellbeing, companionship and enjoyment are equally important.

Residents at the Old Rectory and Fairways are supported to continue enjoying the interests, relationships and everyday pleasures that are meaningful to them.

Our teams create varied opportunities for residents to take part in activities, celebrations, outings and community events. These might include creative sessions, music, gardening, seasonal occasions, gentle exercise, shared meals or simply spending time together over a cup of tea.

Not everyone will want to take part in the same way, and participation is always based on personal choice.

For one resident, a lively group activity may be the highlight of the day. Another person may prefer a quieter conversation, time in the garden or an individual activity linked to a lifelong interest.

By offering choice and remaining flexible, our teams help residents maintain their identity and enjoy daily life in ways that feel right for them.

Compassion, Experience and Professionalism

The care sector requires knowledge, skill and resilience, but it also depends on compassion.

Our colleagues support residents and families through many different stages and circumstances. Some days are filled with celebration and laughter, while others require patience, sensitivity and reassurance.

The ability to respond professionally while remaining warm and compassionate is one of the greatest strengths of our teams.

This award recognition reflects the many everyday actions that may not always be seen publicly: a colleague noticing a small change in someone’s wellbeing, taking extra time to offer reassurance, helping a family understand what is happening or finding a way to make a resident smile.

Together, these moments shape the quality of care people experience.

Proud to Represent Care in Kent

The Kent Care Awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the people and organisations supporting residents throughout the county.

Care teams across Kent work tirelessly to help people live safely, comfortably and with dignity. Being recognised alongside so many dedicated professionals is therefore a genuine honour.

The Old Rectory and Fairways are both proud to serve their local communities in Dymchurch, New Romney and the wider Romney Marsh area.

Our homes provide residential, dementia and respite care, offering residents and families experienced support when they need it.

This finalist recognition helps shine a light not only on our own colleagues, but on the professionalism and commitment found throughout social care.

A Huge Well Done to Both Teams

We will find out in September whether the Old Rectory or Fairways has won the Care Team Award. For now, however, we are simply proud to see both teams recognised.

Reaching the finals is already a significant achievement and a reflection of the dedication shown every day across the two homes.

We would like to congratulate every colleague at the Old Rectory and Fairways and thank them for the care, kindness and professionalism they continue to provide.

We would also like to thank our residents and families for the trust they place in us.

Whatever the final result, this double nomination is an achievement worth celebrating.

A huge well done to the Old Rectory and Fairways teams. We are incredibly proud of you all.