Delightful Divya wins award after going the “extra smile”

A cheerful care home worker has won an award for going the “extra smile” in everything she does.

Dedicated Divya Baskota, described by colleagues and residents as a “ray of sunshine”, says she treats the people she cares for at Pendine Park’s Highfield Nursing Home in Wrexham like her own grandparents.

And that dedication and her sunny disposition has seen Divya named as the overall winner of Pendine’s annual Smile Awards after a vote by colleagues and relatives..

Trainer Laura Shone said she was thrilled Divya had been recognised in the awards.

She said: “It was just so well deserved. I personally nominated her and then the residents also nominated her. What they said about her is what I would say about her too.

“She is a ray of sunshine. She’s always happy, always got a smile, very helpful, just a genuinely nice person. She never stops smiling from the minute she gets in, to the minute she goes home.

“A resident might be poorly and a smile just brightens their day – that’s what Divya does for our residents. She chats to them and helps them, but a smile goes an awful long way.

“It always makes me emotional when the staff do so well, it’s so well deserved. She fits the culture and ethos of Pendine Park so well.”

Care practitioner Divya, who has worked at the home for about six months, thanked everyone for supporting her in her award, especially Laura.
She said: “Everyone is very nice. I love my job. And the residents are very nice, I like to help them.

“All the residents are like my grandmother or grandfather.”

A Special Smile Award also went to award-winning international illustrator Jason Bennion.

Jason is a member of Pendine Park’s enrichment activities team, leading art workshops for residents in the company’s homes.

Tracey Smith, manager at Highfield Nursing Home, paid tribute to Divya and Jason.

She said: “The Smile Awards have been going for a number of years. Once a year, staff, residents and relatives nominate any member of staff that basically makes them smile.

“Divya is always positive, she’s always smiling, nothing is too much trouble. She makes the residents feel good and she’s a fantastic team member.

“And Jason’s art classes have become very popular, the residents really look forward to their art class.

“He’s lovely with the residents, he’s interested in them, he’s very calm.

“It’s more than an art class, they are like social events.

“You see the residents are enjoying themselves, they look forward to it. It is so nice, because you see them all chatting with each other.

“Some of the residents have even discovered artistic talents they have never been aware of, which is fantastic.”

Jason said: “The award came as a complete surprise and I was really flattered, it’s a really nice thing.

“I make the art sessions fun, I try to work out what the residents enjoy doing, and we genuinely have a really good laugh.

“Interestingly, each home is different and I have a different experience in each, but all the residents respond really well and really enjoy it.

“The residents ask when I am coming back in, and the residents say some really lovely things to me.

“I find it very rewarding, and very emotional at times, and I find it inspiring, the residents have inspired me.

“It is a very satisfying role, especially when the care staff tell me they are seeing a positive difference in the residents who are taking part in the art sessions.

“I love what I do. I feel very lucky and privileged to do what I do. I really look forward to going in.

“It’s not like a job to me at all.

“I get to share something which I am really passionate about with other people.

“I might provide the sessions, but it is the residents who are doing the art, they are making the effort, and that’s hugely satisfying.”

Sarah Edwards, Pendine Park’s consultant artist in residence, helped organise and publicise the Smile Awards.

She said: “Everybody was encouraged to vote and the Smile Awards proved very popular. It went very well.

“It’s always important to celebrate the great work we all do, and for everybody’s contribution to be recognised.”

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