Parklands Care Homes managing director Ron Taylor receives award for 'commendable' industry efforts
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THE managing director of Parklands Care Homes – which runs several homes in Moray – has received a top award for his contributions to social care.
Ron Taylor received the Strategic Contribution Award at the Scottish Care Awards ceremony at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel, for over 30 years of work in the sector.
Thanks to Mr Taylor’s leadership, Parklands has gone from having a single facility in Buckie, opened in 1993, to having a group of 11 care homes across the north and north-east of Scotland.
The company currently employs over 750 people and cares for over 400 elders across Moray and the Highlands.
He delivered frontline carers a £12 per hour rate in April this year, a year before the Scottish Government was set to introduce it.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Taylor congratulated and paid tribute to the company’s staff.
He said: “Day in, day out, they provide the high-quality care that our older residents deserve, often during difficult and stressful circumstances.
“They don’t always get the recognition they deserve and I want to dedicate this award to each and every one of them.
“We are very lucky to have so many dedicated, hard-working men and women working in social care.”
Donald Macaskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, said: “The care home workforce is full of individuals who behave with dignity, compassion, professionalism and skill.
“These awards are hosted by Scottish Care to express our gratitude and to recognise the skills of only a few.
“We are immensely proud to present Ron Taylor with our Strategic Contribution Awards.
“His dedication to social care and Parklands' growth is commendable, reflected in his fight for fair wages and Parklands' innovative initiatives.
“This is a truly well deserved win in our eyes.”
Ron Taylor has also been shortlisted for the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Caring UK Awards this year.
Aberlour’s Speyside Care Home has also been nominated at the awards for Activities Team of the Year.
Speyside Care Home – run by Parklands – has become a hit with the locals after starting the Heartstrings Choir and now has attracted new members from the neighbouring Glenisla Care Home.
For a period, they also opened a pop-up café at Aberlour Tearoom once a week.
Manager of the facility, Louise Gillies, said: “I’m delighted for the team at Speyside, in particular our activities coordinators Amanda Shaw and Moya Boonzaaier.
“They work so hard to ensure our residents enjoy life to the fullest through a busy programme of meaningful activities and community engagement.”
