Coppice Lodge pulled out the stops to put a smile on the face of 80-year-old resident June Charles

June, who used to run a Bulwell industrial cleaning company with her late husband Keith, had been nominated for Resident Outstanding Contribution at the Ideal Care Awards. But when she was unable to attend the ceremony due to Covid restrictions, staff decided to create their own celebration for their shining star.

The team at June’s home, Coppice Lodge, which is operated by Ideal Carehomes, rolled out the red carpet and even though June narrowly missed out on winning at the Ideal Care Awards, the team presented June with an award of their own making. The cut glass keepsake read: “June Charles, Coppice Lodge’s very own star”.

Following the ceremony, which was held in the dining room of the Coppice Road residential and dementia care home, June was treated to a restaurant-style three course dinner of her choosing.

For the winning lady, the menu featured a prawn cocktail starter, followed by topside of beef with all the trimmings and a chocolate orange tart with raspberries and raspberry jus.

June moved into Coppice Lodge in February 2020 after losing her husband Keith and then surviving a huge stroke within six months. With weeks of physiotherapy and support from the Coppice Lodge team, as well as sheer determination on her part, June has gradually regained her independence.

Lorna Thornley, lifestyle manager, Coppice Lodge, said: “June was so excited to be nominated and had even bought a new outfit for her big night.

“Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, June was unable to attend such a large-scale event but we made the best of it and sat together to watch a live stream of the awards evening from the residents’ lounge.

“June was disappointed when she didn’t win her category and we knew we had to pull out the stops to cheer her up. She has had a really difficult time of it these last 18 months and we wanted to do something big.

“So we held our own gala awards dinner at Coppice Lodge, and June got to wear her new outfit, and celebrate being a star. We all had an amazing time and June had the special moment she had been longing for.”

As one of Coppice Lodge’s most engaged residents, home manager Alex Field said that June can regularly be spotted in the residential home’s gardens.

“Not only is she a dab hand at pruning, but she rises early every morning to exercise outdoors,” she said.

“June is the driving force behind our entry into the annual Gardens in Bloom competition and has become the ‘house mother’, welcoming new residents and encouraging them to get involved with activities.

“She certainly is a star and is working so hard on her rehabilitation. She was very well deserving of this award.”

Coppice Lodge is a purpose built luxury care home with 64 ensuite bedrooms. Close to local services and amenities, it is rated good by the Care Quality Commission.