A HEALTHCARE group has seen success after receiving multiple national accolades for the second year running.

Stow Healthcare Group, who run care facilities in Halstead and Great Horkesley, was named Care Group of the Year at not one, but two national ceremonies.

The company runs Cedar Place and Halstead Hall as well as Horkesley Manor and was successful in both the National Care Awards and the Caring UK Awards.

The company took to the stage at both ceremonies, seeing off significant competition to take the trophy having previously won these titles in both 2019 and 2021.

This year, Caring UK judges were full of praise.

They said: “Our winning group is the industry ‘disrupter’ that turns around the most difficult homes to create vibrant elderly care settings, usually with outstanding ratings.

"In a crisis like the pandemic, you can choose to ask ‘Why me?’ or you can say ‘Watch me!’ – our winning group did the latter. 

“Its first Memory Centre was a concept created from scratch during the pandemic, researching innovative memory care, and creating a new concept of living. 

“The group also became only the second care home operator in East Anglia to pay the Real Living Wage to all employees in spring 2022.”

The team at the National Care Awards were equally as complementing, adding: “What Stow does on career development and what it is doing to produce top skilled staff and provide that leadership journey is amazing. 

“Stow’s homemaker model is really quite impressive. The company shows outstanding individual thinking that is clear and has an impact.”

Director Ruth French said: “Our sector has faced an incredibly challenging few years and this recognition is more important than ever for our teams.

“To receive these awards is such a morale boost for our staff, the fabulous residents we support, and the communities in which we live.

“Despite the challenges, Stow Healthcare has still managed to move forward at pace, trailblazing in 2022 acquiring two more failed homes and striving to be examples within our industry.

“We cannot wait to continue this fantastic work in 2023.”