Activities team member at Poole care home honoured with Mayor’s award

A cherished member of the team at a Poole care home has won an award for making a positive impact on the lives of the residents.

Mirela Toma, Activities Lead at Elizabeth House care home, on Dolbery Road South in Poole, was presented with the Individual Contribution Award as part of the Mayor of Poole’s awards ceremony at St James Church in Poole. Mirela was joined at the event by a resident and staff from the care home, which is run by not-for-profit charity Care South, alongside residents and colleagues from Alexandra House care home in Parkstone.

During the presentation, the Worshipful, the Mayor of Poole, Councillor Mark Howell, shared some of Mirela’s career highlights, including leading charity events with residents, both in the home and in the community, as well as introducing a weekly crafts session with children from a local nursery. He added: “I’ve visited Elizabeth House a few times over the past year and I am incredibly impressed by Mirela’s enthusiasm for the role.”

Mirela said: “I feel so honoured to receive this award from the Mayor of Poole, who has been very supportive of the home during his mayoral year. Helping our residents to have fun and keep enjoying their hobbies, while having the opportunity to try new things is something that brings me great joy. It’s a privilege to be part of such a wonderful team, and to share so many special moments with our residents.”

Mirela’s role at the care home sees her lead a varied programme of activities, events, trips out on the home’s minibus and partnerships with the local community. Mirela has also worked in various other roles within Care South over the past 10 years, including using her skills as a fully trained chef to support the home’s in-house kitchen team.

Donna Moss, Home Manager, said: “We are incredibly proud of Mirela whose caring nature, dedication and passion for our residents’ happiness shines through in everything she does. She’s not only fantastic at supporting our residents and her colleagues, but Mirela enhances the lives of everyone she meets. Her energy, kindness and commitment to always going ‘the extra mile’ makes a real difference in ensuring that our residents fully experience our ethos of Food, Fun and Friendship every day.”