A care home has picked up the top prize at a ceremony celebrating excellence and dedication in the sector.

Rashielee Care Home in Erskine was named Care Service of the Year at the Hilton in Glasgow last Friday, November 15.

The event, the Scottish Care National Care Home Awards 2024, was hosted by the membership organisation's CEO Dr Donald Macaskill and singer and presenter Michelle McManus.

The Rashielea Avenue residence fought off competition from Abbotsford Care Home and Benore Care Home to take home the accolade which recognises a care home in Scotland “at the forefront of excellence in care provision.”

Jennifer Carruthers, the deputy manager of Rashielee, told the Gazette: “We were up against two other very good care homes.

“We have worked so hard as a team to get this award and created an environment here that makes this home a loving and caring place to live and work.

“Our manager Kirsty Cartin and I are determined to change the image of care homes and promote the skills of care home staff.

“Our residents and families are over the moon with this achievement and feel so proud to be part of this award.

“This is testament to the nurturing relationships at Rashielee Care Home.”

Kirsty added: “I am very proud of the staff team who dedicate themselves to supporting residents’ relatives and each other to flourish.

“We are extremely blessed to be supported by our community to ensure residents live meaningful lives.”

Kirsty and JenniferKirsty and Jennifer (Image: Sourced) It has been a very busy year for the home who have been working on their intergenerational project with Rashielea Primary and working towards their Playlist for Life accreditation.

Playlist for Life is a music and dementia charity which promotes embedding personalised music into care to harness the psychological benefits of this.

The home also strives to ensure residents spend their days in meaningful ways through activities such as their Souper Troopers club which allows them to make their own soup.

Weekly Tai chi, meanwhile, Jennifer says helps to keep minds and bodies active.

"Every month we also join the church for a meal and the importance in this is maintaining relations with loved ones and our community," she explained.

“We also have a namaste programme which has been well received by all, this is of great importance to those who need a more loving touch approach.”

The home which has 43 rooms, is part of the Littleinch Care Group, who also own Inchinnan Care Home, and caters to individuals over the age of 50.

Littleinch’s owner Irvine Watson attended the ceremony with nine staff from the Erskine home.

Kirsty, Irvine and JenniferKirsty, Irvine and Jennifer (Image: Sourced)

Irvine and the group’s co-owner, his wife Christine, said: “We are extremely proud of the staff at Rashielee.

“Their dedication and pride in the work they do is outstanding.

“Our focus is the elderly and vulnerable people that we care for, and it always will be.”

Jennifer has worked for the couple for 16 years, while Kirsty has worked for them for 18 years.

Jennifer said: “Myself and Kirsty would like to say that they have been the most supportive directors and enabled us to make these changes to improve the lives of the older adults in our home.

“They are very respected by all the staff.

“This is why we don’t have a high turnover and retain staff well here.

"It’s a family.”