The Royal Star & Garter Homes’ Raquel Pena Aristizabal has been announced as a finalist at The National Care Awards; the activities and volunteers manager at the charity’s Surbiton home has been shortlisted in the Care Activities Co-ordinator / Facilitator category.
Raquel has been with the charity, which cares for disabled veterans and their partners, for over five years. She says: “It is an honour to be nominated for this award, but really it is a reflection of the wonderful team we have at The Royal Star & Garter Homes, and the work the charity does for military veterans living with disability or dementia.”
Pauline Shaw, the charity’s director of care and service development, praised Raquel’s warmth and energy. She says: “Everyone who has been nominated for these awards deserves congratulations, but I’m so pleased to see the amazing work Raquel does on a daily basis has been recognised.
“Her passion, enthusiasm, and boundless energy is contagious and brings out the best in the people she works with and the residents living in our home. Her nomination is well deserved.”
The care activities co-ordinator / facilitator category recognises people who make an exceptional contribution to the quality of life, health and happiness of all the people they support through the activities they provide.
The Surbiton home now offers over 50 events and activities each week. Raquel organises visits from local military organisations and schools, crafts, films, musical events, group exercises and therapies, quizzes, cookery and tastings and seasonal celebrations. The Spanish-speaker has even started Spanish lessons at the home.
Winners will be announced on 30 November.
