Professor Graham Stokes, Director of Dementia Care Services at HC-One has been shortlisted as a finalist in two well-esteemed awards. Professor Stokes has been shortlisted as a finalist in ‘The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award’ category at the West Midlands Region of the Great British Care Awards 2022 and ‘The Dementia Care Leader Award’ category at The Social Care Leadership Awards 2022.
The series of Regional Great British Care Award events are taking place throughout the UK and celebrate those individuals who demonstrate excellence within the care sector. The awards pay tribute to those who have shown outstanding skills and talent within their field of work across 23 different award categories. The Leadership in Social Care Awards recognise excellence in senior leadership and those who have overcome challenges in the current climate in the social care sector.
Professor Stokes was shortlisted as a finalist in ‘The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award’ and ‘The Dementia Care Leader Award’ categories at both of these awards due to his long-term outstanding contribution to social care within dementia care. Professor Graham Stokes has re-framed how people with dementia are understood, found new ways of working, developed new approaches to deliver the best possible care and been an influential key figure and role model to others working in dementia care.
Professor Graham Stokes’ nomination follows an impressive career spanning over 30 years in dementia care, during which he was an NHS consultant and the Global Director of Dementia Care at BUPA for nine years. Since 2012 he has been Honorary Visiting Professor at the University of Bradford. He is currently the Director of Dementia Care Services at HC-One, and as a Clinical Psychologist by training, he has been instrumental in the shaping and communicating of person-centred dementia care across care homes in the UK.
Professor Stokes places great emphasis on the ‘11 hours’ principle – how to meaningfully engage Residents so they have quality and purpose of life in the hours when they are not asleep, resting or receiving care. Graham was also instrumental in creating HC-One’s Dementia Care Programme, which is being rolled out in over 180 care homes introducing low arousal living environments and focusing on supporting those with dementia to improve their quality of life, as well as helping their families understand the changes in their loved ones.
Alongside his work at HC-One, Graham has written several research papers and books on dementia care, including ‘Watching the Leaves Dance’ and ‘And Still the Music Plays’, which have been integral to changing people’s perspective and understanding of dementia. He was also invited to be a representative at the G7 Global Dementia Legacy Event in Tokyo to discuss Innovative Care and Prevention Models.
Hearing of the news of him being shortlisted as a finalist Graham Stokes, Director of Dementia Care Services at HC-One, said:
“Being shortlisted as a finalist at two awards is very humbling, and I am honoured that my work has been recognised by others.
“The greatest award for me has always been supporting people living with dementia to live more content and fulfilling lives by knowing them as people and no longer defining them by their condition.”
The winners of the Social Care Leadership Awards 2022 will be announced at a Gala Awards ceremony taking place on Wednesday 19th October 2022 at The London Marriot Hotel Grosvenor Square. The West Midlands Region of the Great British Care Awards ceremony will be taking place on Saturday 5th November 2022 at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham when the winners will be announced and receive a special trophy.
James Tugendhat, HC-One’s Chief Executive Officer, said,
“We are delighted that Graham has been shortlisted as a finalist by the judging panel at the West Midlands Region of the Great British Care Awards and the Social Care Leadership Awards this year. This is an amazing achievement, and I am so proud. Graham has made an exceptional contribution to dementia care and we are honoured to celebrate this achievement with him.
“Being shortlisted as a finalist at these prestigious awards is a testament to the dedication Graham has demonstrated, even in the most challenging of times. Graham has truly gone above and beyond to provide the kindest care to Residents and support to Colleagues, Relatives and those within the local community, supporting our mission to be the first-choice care provider in each of the communities that we serve.”
Professor Graham Stokes is one of four HC-One finalists shortlisted in the West Midlands Region of the Great British Care Awards 2022. Successful winners at the West Midlands regional awards will progress to the national finals of the Great British Care Awards 2023 taking place on Friday 17th March 2023 at the ICC in Birmingham.