Care Home Album Covers creator wins a fourth national care award

A care worker who shot to fame after recreating famous album covers with pictures of elderly residents has won a fourth national care award.

Robert Speker was recognized for his “refreshing ‘positive-risk taking’ approach” at the Great British Care Awards 2022 National Finals at the ICC in Birmingham.

The 42-year-old was presented with the Care Home Activity Organiser Award by broadcaster and journalist Kate Garraway at the ceremony on 18 March.

The judges commended him for “breaking down stereotypes with residents to ensure they always lived their lives to the fullest, by clearly going above and beyond in every aspect of the service he provides to residents.”

Born and raised in Newcastle, Speker was appointed head of member lifestyle and activities at care provider Loveday and Co. in January.

He previously worked as activities coordinator at Sydmar Lodge in Edgware and as a support worker at Kisharon.

Reflecting on his achievements, Speker said: “I feel delighted and humbled to have won the national award, a culmination of several years of physical, emotional and tireless work.

“I have not fully spoken about the hardships I personally experienced working in care during the pandemic, in fact I may never be able to do so. But the award, coupled with the other awards and recognition, are moments of joy that I will treasure forever.

“When collecting the award, I remembered all my residents who succumbed to Covid and dedicate this award to them.”

It’s just the latest addition to Speker’s growing collection of awards, which includes two National Care Awards, won in 2021 and 2020, and a 2021 Great British Care Award.

The judges said: “His ethos was let’s make this happen, overcoming any barriers put in his way. He firmly believes you make your own luck, but he also made his residents feel very lucky indeed.

“Robert was driven by a belief that you could never know enough about a resident in order to support them to live a better life – true personalisation”

Explaining his approach to planning activities for residents, Speker said: “It’s all about seeing each individual, and what needs they have. It could be something that they used to do and wanted to do again, but perhaps thought they could never do.”

Over the years he has taken a resident swimming for the first time in 20 years and even organised a National Tequila Day event.

“All activities have a meaningful purpose, whether to stimulate the senses or emotions, be cognitive or therapeutics, involve reminiscence or offer new opportunities, all the while trying to ensure the residents are smiling,” Speker added.

To view images of the album covers project go to www.carehomealbumcovers.com where limited edition prints are available with proceeds shared with Alzheimer’s Society and the residents involved.