On Saturday 3rd November, the Grand Connaught Rooms, London provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of the Great London Care Awards, where the eighteen category winners were announced.
The Great LondonCare Awards, supported by the Department of Health, are part of the Great British Care Awards, a series of regional awards which celebrates excellence in social care and pay tribute to those who work in the sector throughout England. The awards are all inclusive, bringing together the statutory, independent and voluntary sectors, as well as unpaid carers; promoting joint working.
The Great London Care Awards have received nominations and support from all corners of the sector. Sector support includes the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), Skills for Care, Ceretas and the English Community Care Association. Local Authority support and commercial organisations are also supporting the awards. Care Talk magazine is the media partner.
There were a total of eighteen award categories available for nomination, which represent all areas of the care sector,whether it be older people or specialist services and from frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training, specialist care in areas such as dementia and innovation.
Nominations came in from all corners of the sector and region and successful candidates were invited for interview for infront of a panel of sector experts. Thegala award evening started in style with a champagne reception, followed by a superb gourmet dinner and the awards presentation with TV personality Vanessa Feltz and then dancing into the night.
Winners from the awards will be invited to attend the national finals for either the home care or care home sector which will take place in April and June 2013 at a prestigious venue in London.
The awards support a chosen charity; The Care Professionals Benevolent Fund is the registered charity for the Care Sector and are here to support current, former and retired care professionals, by providing assistance to relieve financial hardship or sickness.
Lisa Carr, Director of the Great British Care Awards said,
“We are delighted to be staging the Great London Care Awards for the third time. The care awards are going from strength to strength with this year’s regional events. The support from sector partners has been overwhelming and the quality and sheer nominations has been astounding.
These awards recognise and pay tribute to the efforts and dedication of all those who work tirelessly to ensure that so many people are able to live independent lives in their own home. They are the perfect showcase to reflect on best practice in the social care sector. A sector where people truly dedicate themselves to their work and take pride in their achievements.
The people of Londonare incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated people caring for the vulnerable and elderly members of their communities. Congratulations to everyone this evening – everyone here is a winner!”
The winners of the Great London Care Awards, together with the judge’s comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer Award
Tara Teunber & Anjani Patel -Westgate Healthcare
An outstanding family business with a highly committed and professional approach to the person needs of users and staff and a professional and realistic programme of staff development and retention.
The Care Home Worker Award
Elizabeth Feasey – New Century Care
In the judges opinion Elizabeth demonstrated true person centred care stemmed from personal experience. After 17yrs she still has the same enthusiasm for care as she had when she started.
The Home Care Worker Award
Laura Griffiths – Managing Care Ltd
Laura demonstrated empathy and compassion, understanding how important the home care worker is to all clients. She recognises the emotional challenges whilst remaining professional at all times. A true dedicated lady – well done Laura!
The Care Newcomer Award
Tracey Davies – Home Instead Senior Care
Tracey’s dedication and conscientiousness shines through. Her bubbly personality and compassion in relating to her clients goes above and beyond. She is a complete natural who uses herself to great advantage in therapeutic relationships.
The Care Home Registered Manager Award
Glenda Barker – Carebase
Glenda’s first priority in a new job was to ‘walk the floor’ and she then likened her job to conducting an orchestra – looking to balance strength and weakness and to make beautiful music to improve outcomes for her residents.
The Home Care Registered Manager Award
Lynn Rogers – Enara
A true leader! Lynn embraces the daily challenges which come with her role. She sees that supporting the next generation of health and social care staff by mentoring and learning by mistakes as a key role. Lynn’s attitude to workforce development and support along with the instinct for diversity and innovation made her a clear winner.
The Dignity in Care Award
Mary Ann Kumar – Bupa
Mary Ann is highly energetic and passionate when it comes to respecting the dignity of her clients and staff. She is a well deserved winner of this award – well done Mary Ann!
The Dementia Carer Award
Maureen Kanabar – North East London Trust
Passionate, committed and inspirational with a professional and measured understanding of the sector, its challenges and its future. Making a big difference to everyone she comes into contact with – both dementia sufferers and carers alike.
The Care Team Award
Marlborough Court Care Team – Four Seasons Healthcare
A well led team that have survived financial uncertainty and transformed a failing homes into a bright, friendly environment, clearly making a difference to all their residents.
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award
Lisa Chaplin – Anchor
Lisa really listens and thinks about what will appeal to different residents of differing abilities and the impact that activities have on each individuals well being. She is enthusiastic and clearly loves her job.
The Ancillary Worker Award
Elzbieta Stach – Barchester
A breath of fresh air committed to ensuring residents live in a home from home environment that allows them choice and freedom. A truly worthy winner – well done Elzbieta!
The Care Trainer Award
Elizabeth Ani – Sevacare UK Ltd
One determined lady, passionate about learning and sharing knowledge with a unique insight into how to reach out and respond to learners. Congratulations Elizabeth – you deserve this award!
The Care Innovator Award
David’s House Team – Methodist Housing Association
Taking part in research is important but by putting into practice the team are really making a difference to people’s lives. Well done!
The Frontline Leaders Award
Gayane Selimyan – Westgate Healthcare
Gayane came across as a dedicated organised and knowledgeable operations manager. She showed that she understood the needs of the business, the needs of those that use social care services and the needs of the workforce. Gayane showed she is frontline leader that any company would be proud to have.
The Home Care Co-ordinator Award
Safina Matovu – Sevacare UK Ltd
Safina is an enthusiastic and dedicated co-ordinator who will make a positive difference wherever she works. She is focussed and ambitious in her approach to both her customer needs and her career. Her professionalism and approachable personality will ensure she goes far in this industry.
The Putting People First Award
Helga Matthews – Fitzroy
Helga clearly demonstrated an ethos of care, delivered in a way that not only empowers but is directly driven from the Users. Her passion and commitment is exemplary.
The Unpaid Carer’s Award
Mary Watts
Mary has been a tireless campaigner for carers rights in Newham over many years, drawing on her extensive personal caring experience. She’s always ‘there’ for any carer who is seeking information and support on anything from housing to benefits and practical support, Mary stands out as a great champion for carers.
The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
Peter Westland
Peter Westland has dedicated his life to working in social care.
He has extensive experience in voluntary organisations, local councils and health authorities.
Peter Westland’s previous appointments have included nine years as Chair of Broadcasting Support Services, which was responsible for setting up the National Aids Helpline and a help line for the BBC.
Peter is a former Chair of Action on Elder Abuse and is now a Trustee aswell as being a board member for the National Care Standards Commission. In 1997 Peter received a CBE for Service to the Social Service – say no more!!
Through his passion for quality care provision and safeguarding vulnerable adults, Peter has earned respect across both the health and social care sectors. Peter is so deserving of this award and I wish we had more time but for now ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for Peter!