Wisteria House and Snowdrop Home Care have been awarded The Rutland Snowdrop Award for Compassionate Care.

Dying Matters, a local end of life initiative based in Rutland and headed up by Rutland's Lord-Lieutenant, Dr Sarah Furness, launched The Rutland Snowdrop Award last May. The awards celebrate compassionate health and care workers who have gone above and beyond to support someone during their end of life. 

The organisation asked members of the public to put their nominations forward to Dying Matters, using personal experiences to nominate care staff and teams across the county.  

Congratulations to all nominees and winners. Image credit: Dying Matters Rutland.

Dr Hilary Fox, who helps to coordinate the award programme for Dying Matters in Rutland, commented: "We received a great selection of very commendable nominations for the Rutland Snowdrop Award. Our panel of Judges have had the difficult task of deciding who should receive the Rutland Snowdrop Award.    

"Reading through the application forms with the details of the nominees, it is heart-warming to see the personal thought and consideration the nominees have given to the people they have cared for. It is clear, that they take great personal effort to get to know the person they are caring for. 

"Many of the health and care workers who have been nominated are prepared to go beyond the standard requirements for good care, to provide genuine support and comfort. This matters greatly, not just to the person who is being cared for but also to their loved ones."

The Wisteria team welcoming their award. Image credit: Dying Matters Rutland.

Tesco Store in Oakham supported the Snowdrop Awards by kindly donating generous hampers with teatime treats, as a bonus gift to award winners who have worked so hard to care for local people.

Jayne Sharratt, Manager at Wisteria House, said: "We always work hard to ensure all residents wishes, preferences and views are individualised and implemented when receiving End of life care to allow the resident to feel comforted, knowing that their wishes are being fulfilled at this important time in their life." 

Dr Hilary Fox and Tracy Moores of Dying Matters in Rutland, the organisers of the Snowdrop Awards. Image credit: Dying Matters Rutland.

Louise Bloor, Director at Snowdrop Home Care Rutland, added: "We were delighted to hear that we have been nominated for the Rutland Snowdrop Award.  The touching feedback from the families who have nominated us is very rewarding and it is wonderful to see that our hard work makes such a positive difference".  

The Awards were given by HMS Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, who is also the Patron of the county's branch of Dying Matters.  

HMS Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness concluded: "I'm delighted to be able to highlight the valuable work that is done by so many health care workers who support people and their families during their end of life. It is the human, less quantifiable side of care that can make all the difference to ensure someone's end of life is comfortable, peaceful and has dignity. I really hope people in Rutland will continue to put nominations forward to Dying Matters, as the valuable work done by carers deserves to be recognised and celebrated."

Louise Bloor, Director of Snowdrop Care, Rutland, with HM Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness. Image credit: Dying Matters Rutland.

For more detail of the Rutland Snowdrop Awards, please visit the Dying Matters website.

If you know an exceptional health or care worker or care team who have gone above and beyond to help improve the end-of-life experience of someone you know, you can nominate them for The Rutland Snowdrop Award – 2025, by contacting Dying Matters in Rutland via email: [email protected] or by completing an application form which can be found online.

The organisers of the Rutland Snowdrop Award will be delighted to continue to receive applications for the Rutland Snowdrop Award throughout the year.