An exceptional care home coordinator from Surrey has received prestigious national recognition for her outstanding dedication to enriching residents' lives. Hanka Vlhova, who serves as the lead wellbeing and lifestyle coordinator at Rivermede Court care home in Egham, has been crowned Activity Provider of the Year by the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA).
National Recognition for Exceptional Care
The esteemed award, which is open to care homes across the entire country, celebrates individuals who consistently deliver high-quality activity provision within their care settings. Judges selected Hanka for her remarkable creativity in developing meaningful and enjoyable experiences for residents, demonstrating profound compassion while making a significant impact on their daily lives.
Six Years of Transformative Initiatives
Over the past six years, Hanka has spearheaded numerous innovative projects that have transformed the experience of residents at Rivermede Court. Her initiatives have included intergenerational projects that bridge age gaps, cultural celebrations that honour diverse traditions, and partnerships with the local community that bring fresh energy into the care home environment.
Residents have enjoyed a diverse range of activities under Hanka's guidance, including therapeutic gardening sessions, creative music and art workshops, theatre visits, and even a special trip to witness the filming of the popular television programme Bargain Hunt.
International Twinning Project Impresses Judges
One particularly inspiring initiative that captured the judges' attention was Rivermede Court's international twinning project with a care home in Czechia. This innovative programme, organised by Hanka in collaboration with her lifelong friend Maruška Siverová (an activities coordinator in the Czech care home), perfectly aligned with this year's awards theme of 'Culture and Inspiring Others'.
The twinning project has enabled residents from both care homes to exchange craft ideas, send handmade decorations and gifts across borders, learn about each other's cultures, and forge genuine international friendships. To celebrate this unique connection, Hanka and Maruška proudly wore traditional national dress to the NAPA award ceremony and personally distributed 350 traditional Czech wedding cakes they had baked for the occasion.
Personal Reflections and Team Celebration
Hanka expressed her heartfelt reaction to receiving the national honour, stating: "I feel so honoured to have won this award. I get so much joy and personal satisfaction from seeing how much our residents enjoy the range of activities that we offer – so getting this recognition from NAPA means the world to me!"
The award ceremony proved particularly special as Hanka was accompanied by her supportive team members Kayleigh Mauger and Chrissie Webster, along with her great friend Maruška and Geoff Pride from Cinnamon Care Collection, which operates the Egham care home.
Management Praise for Outstanding Achievement
Geoff Pride, wellbeing and lifestyle manager at Cinnamon Care Collection, offered glowing praise for Hanka's accomplishment: "This is an outstanding achievement and a fantastic endorsement that Hanka and her team at Rivermede Court go above and beyond to create stimulating and engaging activities for our residents."
He continued: "Hanka's dedication to enriching the lives of our residents makes her a shining example of excellence in our sector. The impact she has made at Rivermede Court is profound – she brings so much energy and enthusiasm to her role – and this award is extremely well-deserved."
This national recognition highlights the exceptional standard of care and activity provision available at Rivermede Court, showcasing how innovative approaches to wellbeing can significantly enhance the quality of life for care home residents while setting new benchmarks for the entire sector.
