Claire Harne’s Rise To Fame as National Care Awards Winner!
Huge congratulations go to Claire Harne who won the coveted title of National Care Awards Activities Coordinator for 2017 at the National Care Awards. Claire was joined by Phil and Jason, our other two Avery finalists, on Friday 24th November, which brought together and celebrated the very best people in the long-term care sector.
The judges stated that Claire is highly skilled in building innovative and inspiring well-being and activity programmes. They were impressed with her creativity, whether activities were based on the residents’ individual interests or introduced new opportunities such as Creative Arts classes, Drum Therapy, Garden Craft, Flower-Arranging or Well-being Choir.
Claire started her career at Avery Healthcare in 2001 as an Activity Assistant, before being quickly promoted to Coordinator at Alder House Care Home in Nottingham. In 2015 she also won Oomph! Instructor of the Year and has recently been appointed Regional Well-being & Activity Coordinator for Avery – a new role that supports and motivates activity teams within other care homes in the group.
Residents and relatives alike hold Claire in high esteem, as she often goes the extra mile. She is a master at active listening and reading body language, which are important skills she uses to build trust and rapport with residents and build strong, meaningful relationships. Just one example of Claire’s efforts was from earlier this year when she created a fantastic Benidorm themed 100th Birthday Party for a new resident, which included cocktails and feather bowers galore!
Julie Drew, Head of Avery Wellbeing, said “Claire truly deserves this award. She gives 100% to all she does and uses her ability to ensure that all residents fill their days in a meaningful way and that they live happy and fulfilling lives.”
Here’s Claire with her fellow winners on the night:
Claire is a star at Avery and joins our ever-growing list of fantastic, award-winning staff, which include fellow 2017 National Care Award winner Jason Mottram, Helen Abbotts, winner of the Activity Organised Award at the 2017 Great London Care Awards, and Senior Care Assistant Kaleeia Hayer who won Care Home Worker of the Year at Derby Heights Care Home this year too.
