Activities coordinator from Hickathrift House in Marshland St James scoops coveted care award for her ‘passionate’ work
A member of staff at a care home who is “truly passionate” about what she does has been recognised after winning an award.
Kat Colangelo at Hickathrift House Care Home in Marshland St James has been crowned ‘Activities Coordinator of the Year’ for the North East Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2025 and is through to the national round of judging.
The Barchester Care Awards celebrate the staff who go the extra mile for the benefit of the 13,500 residents living in Barchester’s 267 care homes and private hospitals across the country.
Categories range from ‘Registered Nurse of the Year’ and ‘Carer of the Year’ to ‘Dementia Care Champion’ and ‘Activities Coordinator of the Year’.
More than 5,000 nominations were received from homes and hospitals across the UK.
A spokesperson for Barchester said: “All entries were of a very high standard.”
Kat is “over the moon” to have been named the winner for the North East Division, beating hundreds of other nominees.
Kat said: “I am so honoured to have been named Divisional Activities Coordinator of the Year at the Barchester Care Awards.
“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted and supported me. Helping our residents live life to the fullest is more than just a job to me – it’s something I’m truly passionate about.
“Every smile, every shared moment, and every new experience means the world, and I feel so lucky to be part of their lives. This award is a wonderful reminder of why I love what I do. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
As a winner, Kat is through to the national finals, in which the overall winner is decided. They will join winners from across the UK at a special awards event in October to celebrate their outstanding achievements and discover if they have won a national award.
Paula Melerski, general manager, said: “This is an amazing achievement, and the whole home is supporting Kat.
“We are so proud of her. She has transformed our life enrichment program since joining Hickathrift in 2021 and makes sure every resident is living life to the fullest at Hickathrift House.”