I am delighted to be able to tell you that the Care Team at Valerie Manor have been selected as finalists for the National Care Home Awards 2010. Needless to say they are thrilled with the news and I am extremely proud of them and so pleased that their hard work, dedication and high standards of care are being recognised.

Several relatives and friends of Valerie Manor sent testimonials to support the application, even this in itself meant a lot to the staff and I’m sure was a deciding point for the judges to select the team as finalists.

We have been invited to attend an interview (3 members of staff) on the 6th May and then several members of the team will attend a celebrity Gala evening at the Guildhall in London on the 5th June to receive the results... fingers crossed!

I am also extremely chuffed myself. My mum and dad (Robin and John) along with my financial advisors nominated me for the Care Innovator Award and I have also received a letter to inform me that they have chosen me as a finalist for the awards as well.

I am so proud of the team at Valerie Manor and it is apt that the awards should come at such a challenging time with the extension plans where everyone is working even harder to ensure the residents have as little disruption as possible.

You can find out more about the awards on the Great British Care Awards website; www.care-awards.co.uk