Award for resident-run Doncaster care home cafe
A resident-run café at a care home in Doncaster has been named “Disability Champion 2020” at The Pride of Balby Awards.
The Platform at Exemplar Health Care specialist attached to the Quarryfields home in Doncaster, has been exclusively run by volunteers from the care home for the past two and a half years.
The coffee shop has been recognised as “Disability Champion 2020” due to its strong presence in the local community, prior to local lockdown measures.
Tracy Smith, Occupational Therapist at the Quarryfields care home said: “The residents, with a little help from staff, have taken a run-down little shop, and turned it into a successful enterprise, and we’re so proud of them for being recognised with this local award. The Platform provides residents, who have a learning disability or are autistic, with a sense of purpose, as they volunteer to work shifts, bake, serve customers, wash and dry pots, and they work together to decide what happens at The Platform.
“It means the world to us when we see people improve their sense of inclusion within the community. The volunteers were very excited and proud to have received the Disability Champion 2020 award – and we can’t wait for the time when we can officially reopen the café to the public, once again.”
With 32 homes across England, Exemplar Health Care provides person-centered care and rehabilitation that focuses on maximising independence, building everyday living skills and empowering people to live as fulfilled lives as possible.