The head gardener at Nightingale House has received an award for his work that “goes well above and beyond his role looking after beautiful gardens”.

Phil White was announced as the winner of the Compassion Award at the 3rd Sector Care Awards ceremony.

Collecting his award from actress Sally Lindsay of Coronation Street, White told the audience how he brings the garden to life, using smell, touch and descriptions for Collette Littman, one of the residents, who has lost her sight. He also shared how he records sounds of the sea and waterfalls from his holidays and when he plays them back to her, she is reminded of her own travelling days.

Nightingale Hammerson CEO, Jenny Pattinson said: "It was an incredible privilege to see Phil recognised for his years of compassionate care at Nightingale House. The difference he makes to the lives of residents is incredible and goes well above and beyond his role looking after our beautiful gardens.”

At the same awards ceremony, the teams at Nightingale Hammerson were recognised as finalists out of hundreds of entries for both the Dementia Care Award and End-of-Life Care Award.

Hammerson House's Mannya Odimba (left), who was given the Care Home Nurse’s Award and Jackie Morrison, who received the Front-Line Leader Award at the Barnet Care Awards, with the Deputy Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Tony Vourou

Also rewarded for their compassionate care were Hammerson House care staff Mannya Odimba, who was given the Care Home Nurse’s Award and household manager Jackie Morrison, recipient of the Front-Line Leader Award, at the Barnet Care Awards. 

Director of care at Hammerson House, Chipema Chitambala, said: “I am so grateful to have such compassionate, talented and motivated team members. Their hard work and dedication have been the driving force to them all achieving the success we are celebrating at Nightingale Hammerson. They are an inspiration to their team members and the organisation.”

Jo Black and Paul Althasen, co-chairs of Nightingale Hammerson, said in a joint statement: “The teams at Nightingale Hammerson deserve this recognition of the work they do every day to deliver exceptional care to older members of our community. Being involved in supporting this work is a source of immense pride to the trustees."