Each year SPDNS hosts an Afternoon Tea at the Cliffs Pavilion to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our staff. This is a very popular occasion and most of them enjoy a glass of Champage or a Pimms with their Tea and can take home what they have been unable to eat!

We recognise staff who have completed the Care Certificate, gained qualifications and staff who have worked for us for a number of years. 

Huge congratulations and thanks to all our Award Winners 

This year’s winners were:     

Care Certificate – Lynette, Amber, Jolene, Jade, Emma, Gemma, David 

Long Service Awards 

for 10 years’ service – Jodie, Grahame, Debbie, Michelle, Gillian

for 15 years’ service – Pat, Karen, Natasha, Stacey 

for 20 years’ service – Nicola 

for 30 years’ service – Yvonne

One of Southend’s oldest Home Care companies celebrated its 40^th Anniversary last year with a delicious Afternoon Tea, Sparko Marko was there to entertain the children. Ros and John Matty founded SPDNS in 1979, a not-for-profit company providing care at home for people in our local community. 

The couple returned to Southend to share this significant milestone with staff past and present, their families and friends, together with some of our service users. Southend Mayor John Lamb and the Lady Mayoress and Sir David Amess MP were our special guests.

Ros was a pioneer of the development of Hospice at Home initially in partnership with Fair Havens Hospice. The service was subsequently established with St Luke’s Hospice, with our staff taking the ethos of Hospice Care to people in their own homes and supporting their families. This has evolved into a specialist 24/7 palliative care service which has been provided for over 15 years in South West Essex. SPDNS also supports students with additional needs attending South East College campuses.

Ros Matty said ‘’40 years ago computers and internet were in their infancy and mobile phones did not exist. However, some things have not changed, including the desire to provide a reliable high quality service, continue making a difference to peoples lives and helping families cope with the difficulties of caring for someone at home.’’