July 9, 2014 10.00 am This story is over 116 months old

Lincoln care workers receive special merit medals

Prestigious award: Two Lincoln care workers have gained an award from the British branch of the world’s oldest order of chivalry.
The OSJCT group. Back row (L-R): Mark Griffiths, Jeff Denton, Annette Ayles, Theresa Whitford, Sharon Wheeler Front row (L-R): Christine Pearce, Karen Cummings, Sian Sparrow, Emma Pickett.

Two Lincoln care workers at The Order St Johns Care Trust received a prestigious medal from the British branch of the world’s oldest order of chivalry, the Sovereign Order of Malta.

Emma Pickett, Home Manager at Ermine House in Lincoln, was recognised with a Silver Medal of Merit for her hard work over her 10 years with the Trust.

Alongside her was Cheryl Gilderdale, Home Manager at Hartsholme House in Lincoln, who was awarded a Bronze Medal of Merit for her endless compassion to residents and a commitment and desire to constantly work toward improving dementia care.

The ceremony, which was held at the Brompton Oratory in London on June 24, was attended by hundreds, including Knights and Dames of the Order and the Venerable Order of St. John and World Ambassadors.

Caroline Dunagan, OSJCT Lincolnshire Assistant Operations Director, said: “The annual Order of Malta Awards Ceremony is an important event for the Trust.

“The Order is very selective when choosing recipients, so it is very special for staff like Emma and Cheryl to have their hard work recognised and be awarded for going above and beyond their normal duties.”

The Order of Malta was founded in 1875 and is now a worldwide organisation. It has 12,500 members, of whom around 300 belong to the British Association and membership is by invitation only.

The Order is one of the sponsoring Orders of OSJCT (the other being the Venerable Order of St John). It aims to help those in need and provide a provision of care for older people.

Meanwhile, the Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) was established in 1991 and its core activity is providing care for older people of any background. In Lincolnshire, it now runs 16 former local authority care homes.