A manager from a registered care home in North Hykeham is celebrating after being named as a finalist in the East Midlands Great British Care Awards.
Vicky Skeldon, manager of the Lincolnshire North Respite Service at Swallow Lodge on Fen Lane, has been shortlisted in the Frontline Leader category. She’ll find out if she’s won the trophy at an awards ceremony to be held at the East Midlands Conference Centre on 24th November.
Vicky, from Lincoln, has been manager at Swallow Lodge – rated “Good” by the Care Quality Commission – since 2022. The service provides 24-hour respite care for up to eight adults with learning disabilities or complex needs at any one time.
“I feel truly honoured to have been selected as a finalist for the Great British Care awards,” said Vicky. “However, everything at Swallow Lodge is a team effort and I am grateful to all my colleagues for their support as well as the senior leadership team at Making Space.
“Swallow Lodge is an amazing service that provides much needed respite for carers. It is a very busy service and we currently have 45 people who access our support on a regular basis. It’s vital that we are providing a high-quality service for each and every person, every time.”
Vicky was nominated for the award by Teri Fisher, the regional head of operations for Making Space – the national health and social care charity which operates the Lincolnshire respite service.
Teri said: “Vicky runs Swallow Lodge like a 5-star hotel. Nothing is too much trouble: better towels, enticing menus, exciting and appropriate activities. She works tirelessly to instil a culture of care and doesn’t rest in her pursuit of excellence.”
Shane Parnell is the associate director of operations at Making Space. He said: “Managers oversee all the formal requirements of residential care and their leadership also creates the culture people live and work in.
“Vicky does both brilliantly and works hard to achieve the charity’s vision to put wellbeing at the heart of health and social care. We’re thrilled the judges have recognised this successful approach and are behind her all the way. We wish all the finalists across our sector the best of luck on the night.”
