Trio at Banbury care homes hailed as 'Shining Stars' in national 2020 awards

Graham Reed and Matthew Wilby from Larkrise Care Centre in Banbury and Suresh Appakudam from Lake House in Adderbury have been selected as winners in The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) Employee Awards 2020. The Trust, which employs approximately 4,800 staff across its homes and offices, selected 48 winners from a shortlist of 129 finalists.

Chef Graham Reed has been awarded the Hospitality Award, Matthew Wilby was named Volunteer of the Year, and Suresh Appakudam Carer of the Year.

Graham joined the Trust in June 2018. He was nominated by colleagues for the passion and enthusiasm he has for cooking and baking, and for taking extra time and effort to personalise cakes and menus for residents and staff.

Graham said: “I was shocked that I received this award and now feel that my team and I need to push on for more to come. I am also very grateful to all the people who nominated me and can see the wonderful things we do at Larkrise Care Centre. I also want to say a massive congratulations to all the people who were nominated.”

Matthew, a volunteer at OSJCT Larkrise, was nominated by colleagues for being proactive in his role. He has embraced training so that he can support residents at Larkrise more fully, eagerly undertakes befriending, and uses his contacts within the local community to get extra help for the home.

Matthew said: “There have been many laugh-out-loud moments during my time as a volunteer. One that comes to mind is when a resident said she would marry me if only she were a bit younger.”

Carer Suresh, who joined the Trust in June 2015, was nominated by the relative of a resident at Lake House for his care and dedication to the comfort of both the resident and his wife. This included providing reassurance and extra support at times when visiting was not possible.

Suresh said, “I didn’t expect to win. It was a recognition for my work and dedication and for that I’m very proud. I love to treat the residents like my family. I find my job rewarding and I’m happy when I see them happy.”

Patsy Just, area operations director for Oxfordshire, and a member of the judging panel, said: “I would like to thank Graham, Matthew and Suresh for their wonderful contribution and congratulate them on winning these awards.

"It is so important to celebrate and recognise the wonderful achievements of colleagues from across Oxfordshire. Each and everyone have gone out of their way to improve the lives of those living in our homes. We absolutely appreciate and value their contribution.”