Parklands Care Homes jubilant after scooping prestigious Leaders in Care Awards honour for innovation
A north-east care home group has been celebrating after scooping an award for innovation.
Parklands Care Homes, which is headquartered in Buckie and has homes spanning the north and north-east, has been recognised at the Leaders in Care Awards 2025, winning the Innovation in Care Homes Award for its “forward-thinking” approach to supporting care staff through on-site accommodation.
The award celebrates providers who are redefining how residential care is delivered through creative approaches to staff and resident support. Judges praised Parklands for “leading the way in people-centred innovation” through its investment in staff housing.
Parklands has introduced accommodation pods at its homes in Fortrose, Grantown and Keith, provides housing for up to 20 employees in Huntly, and plans to develop key worker accommodation in Inverness as part of its ongoing expansion.
The initiative aims to tackle the acute shortage of affordable housing in the north, a key barrier to recruiting and retaining staff in the care sector.
The awards were organised by leading industry publications Care Home Professional and Home Care Insight.
Ron Taylor, Managing Director of Parklands Care Homes, said: “We’re proud to be recognised for innovation that directly benefits our team.
“We operate in areas where a shortage of affordable housing makes it difficult to attract and retain staff. By investing in staff accommodation, we’re giving our teams the stability and support they need to continue delivering high-quality care.”
Care Home Professional editor Stephen Hall added: “Parklands impressed the judges and readership with its forward-thinking decision to provide on-site staff accommodation at several homes to address the shortage of affordable housing for care workers.
“The project has supported recruitment, improved retention, and enhanced the overall wellbeing of staff teams.”
This is Parklands’ third major award win this year. In May, it won the Care Home Award for Best for Wellbeing and last month it picked up the Highland Business Award for Corporate Community Impact.