Staff and residents at care homes in Royston and Barley are over the moon to have been shortlisted for industry awards.

The Hertfordshire Care Providers Association Ltd achievement is one particularly poignant for those at Mary Barfield House in Royston’s Rochester Way.

In the last two years, they’ve had one care provider contract terminated and problems with low occupancy and a year after current firm Care by Us took over in February 2016, the home was flooded and residents forced to leave.

Rosie Jeffrey began working at Mary Barfield as the care manager in February 2017.

She said: “I am over the moon we have been recognised in this way.

“When I started working here, It had been a difficult time for the home. I had the hard task of trying to get Mary Barfield a better name and fill the beds as we only had seven residents at the time.

“It was extremely difficult, but together with the care team and the residents families, of Irene Williamson and the late Gladys Manning, we set up a social fund and so our journey began.

“All the beds are now filled, and earlier this year I nominated the team for an award with HCPA – the biggest care partnership in Hertfordshire.

“I believe there were hundreds of nominees and we were shortlisted and have now reached the final.

“The staff were over the moon when I told them. I am happy we have got to where we are and I have a good vibe about the final.

“It’s the residents who are at the heart of this. Our care team have been supporting them and caring for their wellbeing, so they have got us where we are.

“Care has been my life for more than 30 years, and this is what I get up every day to do in the morning, so I am thrilled we have got this far and I think we have a good chance.”

Mary Barfield are hosting a ‘Wear it Pink’ coffee morning for Breast Cancer Now on Friday from 10.15am until 11.30am.

Over in Barley, Lea-Ann Smith – activities co-ordinator at Margaret House residential and dementia care home – has also made it through to the final of the HCPA awards.

Resident Enid Denchfield said: “I am delighted to hear that Lea-Ann is a finalist, she is very friendly and caring, she welcomed me and made me feel at home immediately. “Nothing is too much trouble for her and she makes all our lives much more interesting and enjoyable.”

The final will be held on November 23 at Knebworth Barns.