Residents got hands on recently with a range of animals during a special activity.

Animal experts from Zoolabs, a provider of hands-on animal experiences, stopped by to introduce us to the creatures.

The residents had a great time watching and even getting up close to some of them.

To view more photographs on our Facebook page, please click HERE

Residents at Springhill Care Home joined in the fun recently to celebrate pancake day.

Staff member Shannon helped make pancakes with chocolate chips and cream, which went down very well.

One of our residents, Doris, is pictured enjoying hers – she looked disappointed when it had gone!

Lancashire-based Springhill Care Group has become one of only six care providers in the country so far to achieve the coveted Investors in People Gold against the new Standard.

Springhill has been awarded the gold standard after being assessed against the revised ‘sixth generation’ Investors in People Standard which was launched in late 2015.

Assessors noted that Springhill ‘outperforms the health and social care sector average’ in many areas of people management practice and that the group ‘is a leading organisation in its field.’

Investors in People (IIP) is an internationally recognised accreditation held by 14,000 organisations in 75 countries across the world.

The Standard sets out what it takes to lead, support and manage people well, with businesses assessed against a strict set of criteria.

The Accrington-based care organisation, which operates three care homes across Lancashire and Bristol, along with a supported living service, has been working with Investors in People since 1995. At the time it was one of the few care organisations to be awarded IIP status.

Donna Briggs, managing director of Springhill Care Group, said being accredited with Investors in People Gold means Springhill Care Group will continue to be more efficient in terms of its management systems, productivity, employee engagement and increased staff retention.

She added: “The whole workforce has contributed to the organisation’s success and is reflected in this fantastic result. Springhill will continue to build on its growth, sustainability and success for the future.

“As a care provider, we know we are only as good as our people, so it has always been a priority to ensure our staff receive the support, training and development they need.

“In recent years we have introduced initiatives including our leadership development programme and made a real difference to how our staff can develop their skills.

“To be one of just six care organisations in the country so far to achieve IIP Gold with the sixth generation Standard is an incredible achievement, but the journey doesn’t stop here.

“Our IIP steering group will be meeting to review the full report and consider any recommendations made in order to continue to improve the way Springhill operates and ultimately the standard of care we can give our residents and those we support.”

Staff from across the Springhill Care Group raised a glass to managing director Donna Briggs recently to mark her 20^th year with the business.

Donna, of Oswaldtwistle, was straight out of night school and armed with a business degree when she joined Springhill Care Group in 1997 as Service Development Manager to lead the development of a domiciliary care service. Over two decades she has held posts including, Operations Director and Managing Director.

In that time Donna has led the team through major developments in the business including the £5 million development of the Springhill Specialist Care Centre in Accrington and the launch of the national #caringheroes campaign designed to shine a light on the work being done by the care sector’s unsung heroes.

To mark her contribution to the group, directors and senior management team met at the Sparth House Hotel in Clayton-Le-Moors, near Accrington, for a celebratory meal.

Guests including Ken Nolan, founder and chairman of Springhill Care Group, toasted Donna and her dedication to and compassion for the people cared for at Springhill’s three homes and supported living service.

Ken Nolan and Kath Parkinson, Springhill’s director for quality and compliance, gave heartfelt speeches which included comments and recollections from all the team.

Donna received flowers, a cupcake display, balloon bouquet and a weekend away along with a personalised card signed by all the team and a calendar with images from over the years.

Meanwhile, her colleagues at sister company Affinity Supporting People held a tea party to mark the occasion, and Sharon, one of the people the service supports, designed and made a special card which was signed by staff and the people she shares a home with.

Staff at Riversway Nursing Home in Bristol presented Donna with a Bristol Blue glass vase, and Springhill Care Home in Accrington presented her with flowers, wine and a  card, with staff at Birch Green Care Home in Skelmersdale also marking the occasion with a tea party.

Donna said: “Over my 20 years with Springhill I have worked with some great people and witnessed an incredible level of dedication and commitment – which often goes unseen.

“I’m very flattered that my contribution to the group has been recognised like this, and would like to thank all staff, residents and the people we support for their touching contributions.

“I’m very privileged to have worked with such a great team of people for so long.”

Ken Nolan, Springhill chairman, added: “Donna has played such an important role in the development of Springhill as a business, and in the care that we offer to all those we care for and support.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to say ‘thankyou’ for her commitment, to reminisce about the last 20 years and look forward to the future.”

To view all the celebratory photos taken over the last week on our Facebook page, please click HERE