Peppercorn House awarded a High Commendation at Third Sector Awards

We are delighted to confirm that our Peppercorn House, an Extra Care service in Ipswich, received a High Commendation in the Frontline Team of the Year category at the prestigious Third Sector Awards this week.

These national awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contribution made by individuals, teams in not for profit and charitable organisations across the year. Winners were announced at an esteemed lunchtime reception in central London, hosted by the writer and performer Ben Bailey Smith.

Ambient Manager, Amanda Retter, says the commendation was a boost for the team after a difficult two years:

 “The pandemic was a very difficult time for everyone in care, but we knew we had to pull together and be strong for the people we support- and for each other.

“The team showed huge passion, resilience and creativity and we continued to provide excellent care and to put the people we support at the heart of our work to ensure they had the highest quality of life possible.

“I am incredibly proud of my team and to be awarded with a High Commendation gives us a fantastic moral boost, it will take pride of place in our communal area.”

Pulling together like never-before, the team worked creatively to ensure that tenants were safe, secure, stimulated, supported, engaged and informed during the crisis. Going above and beyond their normal duties many staff worked additional hours and took on new roles- one staff member became the in-house hairdresser to keep spirits and appearances up whilst another became a personal shopper- which all helped to combat feelings of social isolation, anxiety, and depression.

Bob Pritchard, Ambient’s Regional Manager for East Anglia, says:

“The Peppercorn House team clearly live Ambient’s values of delivering outstanding person-centered support but more than that, they demonstrate the very best of what it is to be social care professionals. Their commitment and unwavering determination to support those that needed it most during incredibly difficult circumstances is truly heart-warming and we are delighted for this recognition which the team so richly deserve. Congratulations!”