Norfolk Christian home nets national award
 The Salvation Army’s Furze Hill House in North Walsham has been named ‘Home of the Year’ at a gala ceremony held at the church and charity’s annual social services convention.
The North Walsham residence for older people won recognition for successfully building relations with the wider community and being an excellent place to live.
Home Manager, Major Doreen Bland, took her place alongside other winning managers, project workers and volunteers from across the UK and Ireland in collecting the award from The Salvation Army's territorial leaders, Commissioners John and Betty Matear.
The awards were divided into four service categories - homelessness, community, older people and people with learning disabilities - and judged by independent panels, with hundreds of Salvation Army social centres and community churches and thousands of staff in the UK and Republic of Ireland eligible for nomination by employees, service users, residents and local community groups.
The Salvation Army’s Director of Social Services, Major Ray Irving, praised the high standard of entries: “This is our way of rolling out the red carpet for the often unsung heroes in social and community work who are going the extra mile to help people at all levels of need every day of the year. With cuts in funding from central and local government these are difficult times for people and organisations working in social and community care, and our awards also recognise the value and positive impact of Salvation Army social and community work across the country.
“Our awards in Older People’s Services encourage and recognise the very best services and programmes we can offer people who are deserving of the best love and care that is available. Even when someone is in their 90s, or even older, they still want to be involved where they can, and it’s our privilege to serve those with a lifetime of experience to offer.
“There have been many nominations and so those that have won really do represent the best of Salvation Army community work. I'm very pleased the awards reflect the depth and breadth of services, from a small centre run by one person to a large sophisticated programme with a professional management team.”
Furze Hill House was honoured by the judges for “building a tremendous reputation within the community since it was opened,” with other comments submitted include: 'If someone is looking for a home in the future where they can feel comfortable, safe, secure, needed and loved then Furze Hill House is the place for them', and ‘You can feel love as you walk through the door.’ The 40-bed home has been recognised by local health agencies for its excellent care. The centre was selected by the University of East Anglia to be part of a government-led initiative to look at respect and dignity within the care setting.
Speaking from the home she has managed for the last three of her 19 years in Salvation Army ministry, Major Doreen Bland said: “When our name was announced and I walked up to the podium, I was lost for words. I feel so happy for everyone in the staff team for all they have done to make Furze Hill House such a great place to live and work. I am equally pleased for the relatives of our residents who give us so much support.”
Associate Home Manager/ Chaplain and Doreen’s husband, Major Eddie Bland added: “Furze Hill House getting this award reminds me of a very poignant moment when the University of East Anglia were here, when one of their researchers said, ‘it has an indefinable quality,’ which they wished other homes had. We can only put that down to it being a Christian-run home and our love for Jesus.”
Pictured above: Major Doreen Bland with Commissioners John and Betty Matear
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