‘A huge honour’: Care home staff celebrate incredible 225 years of service

Staff at a Pontefract care home are celebrating a remarkable 225 years of combined service after 15 members of the team each reached 15 years with the organisation.

Colleagues at MHA Warde Aldam Nursing & Dementia Care Home marked the milestone with a surprise celebration, where long-service certificates were presented by the home's management team.

The 15 staff members include Paula Martin, Joanne Nicholls, Beverley Howe, Dawn Lilley, Michelle Massey, Gemma Smith, Lynne Watson, Michelle Mills, Dawn Logan, Dean Shearon, Reena Reju, Funmilola Ogunyinka, Tracey Harvey, Lesley Leake and Pamela Smithhurst.

They work across a range of roles at the home, including care assistants, kitchen assistants, senior nurses and an administration manager.

Home manager Mark Quarmby said the milestone was a "huge honour" and reflected the experience within the team.

He said: "It's very good for the home. Having staff members that have been here for a long time is great as it shows we must be doing something right.

"The long service recipients are from a mixture of roles, which showcases a huge amount of experience across the home.

"Some of the colleagues have been working at this home for more than 15 years, but MHA took over 15 years ago, so the long service with MHA is at 15 years. Overall, a lot of them have been here much longer."

The team were unaware of the celebration beforehand, with Mr Quarmby saying it was a "lovely moment" when everyone was brought together.

He added: "As home manager, I feel very privileged to work and manage a home with so much experience and it makes me very proud."