A Newbury care home staff member has been shortlisted for a national award.

Vicki Lambourne, Customer Relations Manager at Care UK’s Winchcombe Place, has been nominated for the Social Change Agent Award at this year’s Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care Awards.

The award celebrates women who have positively influenced change, leading to significant impacts on the sector and for people using care services.

Ms Lambourne has been acknowledged for her innovative approach to community engagement at Winchcombe Place, where she has driven several successful projects.

One of her key initiatives, the Generations of Change programme, has created a curriculum of bi-directional learning around sustainability and biodiversity.

The programme connects residents in Care UK homes with schoolchildren, as they navigate through 25 lessons covering topics such as rivers, recycling, food waste, and sustainable buildings.

This intergenerational learning allows the older generation to impart their knowledge and experience to children, contributing to a greener future.

Originally piloted in West Berkshire, the programme is now being rolled out nationwide.

Ms Lambourne said: "Being nominated for this award is such an honour; I’m truly humbled.

"What I love most about my job is the opportunity to build meaningful connections and make a real difference in the lives of residents and the wider community.

"The Generations of Change project grew from my passion for supporting our senior community and promoting sustainability.

"Seniors hold such a wealth of knowledge, particularly around caring for the planet – it’s incredible to see how children embrace and learn from their wisdom."

Since joining Care UK in 2019, Ms Lambourne has also played a significant role in making Newbury a more dementia-friendly town.

By offering practical information to employees of local businesses, she has helped hundreds of them learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of dementia in those around them.

Claire Cullen, Home Manager at Winchcombe Place, expressed delight at Vicki being shortlisted for the prestigious award.

She said: "We are thrilled to see Vicki shortlisted for this prestigious award.

"She is extremely passionate about building relationships both within the home and with the wider community.

"She is a force to be reckoned with, bringing a unique blend of expertise and skills in the care sector, inspiring others to raise the bar too – we are so lucky to have her and wish her luck from all of us at Winchcombe Place!"

The winner will be announced at a special ceremony in London on Thursday, November 28.

Winchcombe Place offers a variety of services, including residential, nursing, dementia, and short-term respite care, aiming to enable residents to live active and fulfilling lives.