Allanbank Care Home in Dumfries Clinches Nutrition and Eating Well Award
In the heart of Dumfries, Sanctuary Care’s Allanbank Care Home has secured the prestigious Nutrition and Eating Well accolade at the Scotland’s Care Home Awards 2024. The not-for-profit care home based in Dumfries and Galloway clinched this honour for its exceptional home-cooked meals orchestrated by chef manager, Sharon Marshall, and assistant chef, Leah Livingstone. Delight abounds among both the staff and residents following this recognition.
This recent triumph adds to Allanbank’s list of accomplishments as they are also in the running as finalists for the Catering Team of the Year award at the upcoming Caring UK Awards 2024 scheduled in Leicester on December 5. The care home had previously been awarded the prestigious Scotland Care Home of the Year title in the Caring UK Awards 2023 and had received a commendable ‘very good’ rating from the Care Inspectorate earlier this year.
Sharon Marshall and Leah Livingstone expressed their joy and gratitude for the award, emphasizing how the entire team at Allanbank has contributed to making mealtimes and food-related events truly special. Sharon Marshall shared, “For us, this award recognises the dedication of the entire home in making meal times and events centred around food so very special. We are passionate about enriching the lives of the residents through their mealtime experience, and this award highlights how we are achieving this each and every day.”
One of the standout aspects of the nomination was the team’s dedication to ensuring residents continue to experience a sense of choice and enjoyment in their meals akin to what they had before residing in a care home. Understanding that traditional takeaways often lack nutritional balance, Sharon and her team have reimagined these meals with a healthier approach. For example, their Chinese ‘fakeaway’ mirrors the flavours and presentation of a typical takeaway but with healthier ingredients – no added salt, reduced sugar, and lowered fat content. These meals are packaged in takeaway-style trays and delivered right to the residents’ doorstep much to their delight.
The team at Allanbank also excels in hosting themed food nights, whether it’s an evening inspired by French, Italian, or Caribbean cuisine, a grand Burns Supper, or a special wartime menu for Remembrance Day. These themed meals not only elevate mealtimes but also foster a sense of community and belonging by evoking memories and creating shared experiences. Sharon actively involves the residents in planning the menu, spending time with them daily to gather feedback, cook together, and even recreate family recipes from the Allanbank Recipe Book.
In conclusion, Allanbank Care Home’s commitment to providing a holistic dining experience that goes beyond mere sustenance to nurturing joy, celebration, and community has rightly earned them recognition and accolades in the care home sector. Residents at Allanbank can truly savor not just their meals but a tapestry of memories and connections woven through food.
Insights and Summary:
Allanbank Care Home in Dumfries stands out for its dedication to providing a top-notch dining experience for residents, encompassing not just nourishment but also joy and community. The team’s innovative approach to recreating traditional meals with a healthier twist and hosting themed food nights showcases their commitment to resident well-being and happiness. This recognition at the Scotland’s Care Home Awards and nomination for the Catering Team of the Year award is a testament to their hard work and passion for enriching residents’ lives through food.