News

Press Release - 12 July 2007

BEN's Town Thorns' Centre wins Award for its Innovation

Nursing staff, carers and residents at BEN's Young Physical Disabled Unit, located at Easenhall, Nr Coventry, were delighted yesterday when they won the "Innovation Award" sponsored by Stratford Business Services, at the Voice of Care Conference which is an annual event ran by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for Care.

In accepting the award Helen Owen, Matron, from Town Thorns Centre commented, "This award is in recognition of all the team work which has taken place over the past few months between nursing staff, carers and our young disabled residents in implementing standards of care which have required both innovative and practical ideas. There has been a great deal of consultation between all concerned. Some examples of how the ideas have been developed include: Painting the corridor of the unit into a street with each resident choosing their own theme and décor for surrounding area of the entrance to their individual room. One resident has chosen trellising and roses, another some of the characters from Star Trek. Lanterns have been painted around the "call bells" in the corridor and a telephone box has been painted around our staff telephone. Our staff no longer wear uniforms and residents can enjoy a variety of activities and hobbies as well as theme nights and outings.

Town Thorns was built in 1991 and is BEN's largest nursing and residential centre. The modern purpose built centre is situated in its own extensive grounds in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside between Coventry and Rugby. Its modern facilities including sheltered housing, residential care for the young physically disabled nursing and residential care, and a specialist unit for the elderly mentally infirm (EMI). It currently provides a home for around 100 residents.

Further Information:

BEN
Lorna Russell
Media Relations Officer
Tel: 01344 294765 / 07920 138187
Fax: 01344 622042
email: lorna.russell@ben.org.uk
Website: www.ben.org.uk

Editors' Notes

BEN is the Automotive Industry Charity, the only occupational charity for those who work or have worked in the automotive and related industries. Founded in 1905, the Charity provides practical help, support, advice and friendship to more than 15,000 men and women and their families every year. In addition BEN provides a home to over 350 individuals who reside in one of its four residential centres in the UK and offers day care facilities at its centre in Coventry.