County Durham Home Manager victorious at the National Great British Care Awards 2021

Kinga Kowaliczek, Home Manager at HC-One’s Greenways Court Care Home in Consett, a residential and residential dementia care home, was crowned the winner of The Care Home Registered Manager Award category at the National Great British Care Awards 2021, that took place at the ICC Birmingham on Friday 18th March 2022. 

The award evening was presented by the inspirational Kate Garraway plus Comedian, Steve Walls and paid tribute to the best of the best in social care, with over 1,100 people in attendance. Kinga progressed to the National Great British Card Awards following success at the North East Regional Great British Care Awards in this category in November last year. The National Great British Care Awards saw Kinga compete against all of the other regional winners from across England, Scotland and Wales, with Kinga being selected as the very best of the best. Kinga was originally nominated for The Care Home Registered Manager Award by Area Director, Lynn Maddison, due to demonstrating a high level of expertise and supporting her Colleagues to meet the ever-changing needs of the Residents she cares for. 

Kinga Kowaliczek, winner of The Care Home Registered Manager Award category at the National Great British Care Awards, said: 

“When it came to the presentation of my award category at the National Great British Care Awards, my heart was racing. When the presenter said my name, I could not believe it! It was amazing! I never thought that I would win! I love my job and this recognition means so much to me. I am so happy and grateful. It’s a huge honour. I will never forget the feeling of walking to the stage, just wonderful. Thank you.” 

The judges of this category chose Kinga as the winner as they said: 

“Kinga is innovative in her approach; she has a good relationship with her team of Colleagues which enables a consistent approach to good support and care. She has shown that she works very closely with CQC and often seeks guidance and the home has benefited with the additional relationship with the regulators. Her management style is approachable, adaptable, and transformational by ensuring a positive working environment and Colleagues development. 

Kinga’s attitude to mistakes or areas for development is embraced to enable positive change and her Colleagues benefit from her high standards. An exceptional Manager who embodies what it is to manage a service that results in good Colleague retention levels and leaves Residents with a welcoming and comforting experience. After just over a year in the job as Registered Manager, she has been given the responsibility of managing a second home. This reinforces the excellent job she has done in such a short period of time.”

James Tugendhat, HC-One’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: 

“Congratulations to Kinga - this is a tremendous achievement and we are incredibly proud of her!

“Kinga’s success at this year’s prestigious National Great British Care Awards is a testament to the dedication she has shown to her Colleague and Residents, even in the most challenging of times. Kinga has truly gone above and beyond to provide the kindest care to Residents living in Greenways Court Care Home and support to Colleagues, Relatives and those within the local community, supporting our mission to be the first-choice care provider in each of the communities that we serve.”

At the National Great British Care Awards evening, HC-One were proud to sponsor the ‘Dignity in Care Award Category’. An award presented to an individual who had demonstrated the significance of maximising Residents’ independence and choice, whilst respecting and maintaining their privacy and dignity at all times. 

Kinga’s accolade and success in winning The Care Home Registered Manager Award at the National Great British Care Awards is a true testament to her kind nature to deliver kind care to those living at Greenways Court. To add on to this achievement, Kinga has also recently been shortlisted as a finalist in the Care Home Worker of the Year Award Category at The Northern Echo Health and Care Awards taking place as a virtual online event on the evening of Thursday 28th April 2022, when the winners will be announced.