Estonia’s largest care home group Südamekodud recognized its employees at an internal event at the Paide Music and Theatre House. The main award – Heart of the Year – was given to Kunda Südamekodu, one of the group’s homes that achieved remarkable results during the past year.

The title Heart’s Friend of the Year was awarded to LHV Bank, which has significantly contributed to improving and streamlining the work of Südamekodud and has supported the organization for many years as it has grown into Estonia’s largest care home provider.

“Südamekodud is a rapidly growing organization — today we have 12 homes across Estonia, employing more than 500 people. As the largest care home network in Estonia, we focus extensively on the quality of care services, where the key role belongs to our staff — our people. Although care quality may seem abstract to some, it is in fact a very practical field: quality is reflected in daily actions, in the competence of employees, in respecting residents’ needs, and in management priorities. It is people who create quality — through their attitudes, approach, skills, and values,” said a board member of Südamekodud AS, Head of Quality and Services Keiu Talve.

Heart of the Year – Kunda Südamekodu. For Kunda Südamekodu, 2024 was a year full of activity: many events were organized, including outdoors, and thanks to the team’s excellent work, many residents were brought outside to enjoy concerts and other open-air activities. Those who could not go outside were also included — they were moved near windows so they could still take part in the event. Together, residents picked berries, planted flowers, baked cakes and decorated the home. The manager’s role has been to value each resident and employee, break old habits, and involve residents as much as possible in all activities.

Heartlet of the Year is awarded in each Südamekodu to one employee who is dedicated to their work, serves as a role model for colleagues, or has accomplished something remarkable during the past year.

Heartlets of the Year (Aasta Südameke) across Südamekodud in Estonia:

1. Järve Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Lidia Vassiljeva
   Lidia took part in the winning team of the care workers’ professional competition. Colleagues chose Lidia as the best coworker. Lidia is always helpful, friendly and empathetic.
2. Käru Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Christina Maria Mäemurd
   This year, clients and colleagues chose Christina Maria as the best employee. No task is too hard for her — new assignments are a challenge and refreshing change. She has completed care worker training and is studying in her second year to become a nurse. She is an excellent caregiver and a great mentor for new employees. In addition to care work, she has also managed tasks in the laundry and kitchen. Colleagues describe her as friendly, supportive, kind and helpful.
3. Lihula Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Valentyna Rak
   Valentyna is the backbone of Lihula Südamekodu and has been working as a nurse there for 12 years. After a long time of single-handedly caring for clients’ well-being, she is now happy to have younger colleagues supporting her. She firmly believes everything will be fine. Valentyna supports care workers at all times. She works with all her heart and takes it very personally when support from family doctors is lacking. Nevertheless, she does everything possible to ensure the elderly feel as good as possible. We highly value her optimism and calm nature. Congratulations to Valentyna, who celebrated a milestone birthday last week!
4. Pirita Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Nataliia Lupan
   Nataliia is a truly dedicated employee. She always finds solutions and opportunities to further improve clients’ sense of safety and well-being. She notices the small details that matter to clients and plans her work so that she always has time for each resident. Nataliia has received a great deal of positive feedback from both clients and their families. The manager often receives letters asking to sincerely thank Nataliia. She is the true HEART of Pirita Südamekodu — in every sense of the word! A warm and bright sun always shines in her heart.
5. Valkla Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Marite Uutar
   Marite is precise in fulfilling her duties, intelligent and knowledgeable. She is always helpful and friendly toward clients, colleagues and clients’ loved ones. Marite always finds time to listen to clients’ worries and joys and to support them in every way. She is an excellent coworker – cheerful, optimistic, reliable and helpful. Marite cares deeply about the well-being of clients — making sure everyone is well-fed and feeling good. She knows how to find common ground with clients and their family members and involve them. She has a big heart and always strives to ensure everything is well.
6. Värska Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Maarika Suurkivi
   She works with her whole heart. Maarika never comes to work in a bad mood and always has attention for everyone.
7. Paide Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Margit Maasikas
   The employees of Paide Südamekodu chose Margit as this year’s Aasta Südameke. She is dedicated to working with residents and their loved ones. For a while, Margit served as the care manager, but today she is again closer to the residents in her role as a care worker.
8. Kunda Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Terje Maasik
   Terje is a true favourite among the residents, bringing warmth and care into every day. No resident is ever left unnoticed — she listens, cares and supports at every moment. Her dedication gives each elderly person a sense of security, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere. Terje works with her whole heart, offering human warmth and understanding. Her presence is invaluable, and her contribution brings light and love to every day.
9. Saaremaa Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Kadri Vakrõõm
   Kadri has quickly earned the trust of both colleagues and residents. She is hardworking, fast and empathetic. She is always in a good mood, even when things are very, very busy and difficult. She always finds time for a kind word. This is exactly the kind of young and energetic care worker we needed.
10. Piigaste Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Elge Luht
    Elge was chosen by colleagues as the Aasta Südameke (Heart of the Year). Her cheerful nature and kindness are evident at every step. Her long experience as a care worker has made her an invaluable part of Piigaste Südamekodu. She is well-liked by all residents and is an excellent colleague. Elge truly deserves the title of Aasta Südameke.
11. Merivälja Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Sulev Mägi
    Colleagues and residents say that Sulev is the kind of employee who is always there when something is needed. Even when help is not directly required, Sulev still comes and assists. He always smiles and is cheerful — no one has ever seen him in a bad mood. He is characterized by diligence, wisdom, and a calm ability to handle any situation.
12. Tartu Südamekodu Aasta Südameke 2024 – Katre Kütt
13. Katre Kütt is the bright and dedicated nurse of Tartu Südamekodu, whose work is highly valued by both colleagues and residents. She adapts remarkably quickly, can resolve complex situations, and makes the impossible possible. Katre is the heart of teamwork — she brings colleagues together and creates synergy that always leads to the best results. She represents care, commitment, and top-level professional excellence.

Südamekodude awards are presented for the second year in three categories: Aasta Südameke, Aasta Süda and Aasta Südame Sõber.

Heartlet of the Year (Aasta Südameke) is one employee in each Südamekodu who is dedicated to their work, has been a role model for colleagues, or has accomplished something noteworthy during the past year.

Heart of the Year (Aasta Süda) is one of the homes in the Südamekodud group where significant results have been achieved over the past year.

Heart Friend of the Year (Aasta Südame Sõber) is a person or an organisation from the Südamekodud group, its network or partners, who has made a significant contribution to improving and streamlining the work of Südamekodud and has thus helped enhance the quality of the services.