HENLOW Court Care Home in Dursley has received two awards for its efforts this year at the Gloucestershire Staff Awards.

Toni Hobbs was presented with the Leader of the Year award while the home itself won the garden competition, Trust in Bloom, for maintaining the overall best grounds and gardens in the county.

The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), one of the UK’s largest not-for-profit care home providers, held the awards for care staff at Cheltenham Town Hall on September 27.

Ms Hobbs received her award for her ability to encourage and motivate her team and for creating a friendly and enthusiastic environment in the home.

For winning the 2012 garden competition, Henlow Court was presented with a trophy and gardening vouchers.

More than 100 Gloucestershire care home staff were recognised for their achievements at the awards ceremony.

Certificates were also presented to staff who achieved NVQs in Health and Social Care, Moving and Handling and Leadership and Management of Care Service qualifications.

Diplomas in Food Production & Cooking, Dementia Studies and Hospitality, Supervision & Leadership as well as HE Champions in Dementia were also recognised.

A number of staff were also commended with awards for their length of service, presented to those giving 25, 30 and 35 years to the trust.

Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Dame Janet Trotter DBE, trustee for OSJCT Sir Nicholas Mander, service development director Diane Bowden and chairman of OSJCT Peter Lloyd presented the awards.

Speaking at the ceremony, chief executive Andrew Cheesbrough said: "The awards ceremony is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the essential role of all our employees in delivering quality care and is an opportunity to praise individual training achievements and long service.

"It is a great occasion for colleagues, residents, friends and partners of OSJCT to come together to celebrate the hard work shown by our team and to say a big thank you to all of our staff."