Black Swan Care Group staff recognised at glittering awards ceremony - with winners from King’s Lynn and Hunstanton

The dedication and commitment of staff from a care group have been recognised at a glittering awards ceremony to mark the company’s 30th anniversary.

The Black Swan Care awards took place at the Dunston Hall Hotel in Norwich, where more than 250 people gathered to hear stories of outstanding care and support to the residents of the company’s 22 care homes across East Anglia.

Winners were announced in 15 separate categories – selected from more than 1,200 nominations from across the care homes from staff colleagues, residents, their friends and families, and professionals.

The guests were welcomed at a drinks reception, enjoying a three-course meal before the announcement of the winners.

Founder and company director Brett Burton told the 30-year history of the care group’s development from its humble origins of the purchase of its first care home in Hunstanton to the present day with the 22 homes.

The homes are providing care and support to nearly 750 people across East Anglia, including adults with physical or learning disabilities and older people, offering support for people living with dementia.

Managing director Tom Lyons thanked staff for their hard work, commitment and dedication to their roles, saying: “These awards are fantastic recognition of all the hard work our care and support staff deliver every single day and night to our residents.

“We received a phenomenal number of entries across the categories and sadly there can only be a limited number of winners. To be nominated or shortlisted as a finalist is an incredible achievement and something to be proud of.”

The winners of the categories were presented with a uniquely designed trophy from the company directors and representatives from companies associated with Black Swan.

Jo Taylor, from King’s Lynn Residential Care Home, where Black Swan supports people living with dementia, was the winner of the Community/Partnership category.

She was delighted with her award, and said: “I really love my job. It gives me lots of different ways to find out more about our residents and to create ways to help them to continue to enjoy what they like doing.

“That often includes working with people in the King’s Lynn community, which is also a wonderful way of raising awareness of our care home.

“Winning the award was a real surprise and the whole evening was brilliant, meeting lots of other staff and hearing about all the winners.”

Another winner on the night was Sandra Rowe of Hunstanton’s Nightingale Lodge in the Outstanding Contribution category.