The owner of a Midlands care home group has been recognised for his role in keeping his staff safe and motivated during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Huw James, CEO of the Clarendon Care Group and the Redwood Healthcare Group, was awarded the Health Care Employer Award at the 2021 Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards.

Mr James, who has grown the company to include 14 residential care and nursing homes across Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Shropshire and Gloucestershire, was recognised for his ‘hands on’ involvement during the pandemic.

He was praised for supporting staff with personal problems over the past 12 months, making weekly visits to check on the welfare and wellbeing of his team and residents, and for facilitating PPE and new equipment as care homes changed the way they operated due to the pandemic.

Huw James said:

“Over the past year every single one of our team have been nothing short of superb and put the needs of our residents above everything else.

“They are hugely dedicated and have coped working under the most difficult and challenging circumstances.

“I think more than anything this is an award and recognition for us all. I’ve really enjoyed getting involved far more in the day-to-day running of each home, but our care teams and managers have been the true stars.

“The pandemic has given us hurdles to overcome like never before but in a way, it has brought us all closer together. We are delighted but will keep working to improve how we care for our residents and our staff.”

During the pandemic Mr James, who is also a member of the Worcestershire Ambassadors, also completed a 24-hour charity cycle to raise funds for the relative of a member of staff who is being treated for cancer.

Launched to recognise those going above and beyond during the pandemic, the 2021 Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards were supported by the Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and three county MPs – Robin Walker, Harriett Baldwin and Nigel Huddleston.

The Clarendon Care Group and the Redwood Healthcare Group own and operate 14 residential and nursing homes which each focus on offering residents daily opportunities to stay active both physically and mentally.

Readers can visit www.clarendoncare.co.uk and www.redwoodhealthcare.co.uk