Care Organisation Nominated For Business Oscar

A village-based charity has won the regional round of a competition acknowledged by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown as Britain’s business Oscars. The White Horse Care Trust, which houses and cares for 73 adults with severe learning difficulties, achieved top place in the Wales and West Country section of the National Business Awards health and safety category. Its offices are in the village of Wroughton in Swindon.

The result will be announced at a dinner at Grosvenor House Hotel in London in November.

Chief executive Ian Spalding commended its 200 staff for the part they had played in the Trust’s success.

He said: “We are absolutely thrilled and delighted. This was our first attempt and it has been a marvellous achievement “Involvement of the workforce is vital and an essential factor in our approach to the health and safety of our residents, staff, contractors and visitors.”

Judges at the final will look for the organisation which can demonstrate that health and safety is an integral part of its management process.

Established in 1990, the trust has 12 residential care homes and one nursing home within a 25-mile radius of Swindon. It is administered by a board of 11 voluntary trustees.

The homes, in residential communities, are houses that have all been specially adapted to meet the needs of residents.