Friday 20th November saw the exciting climax to the inaugural Great North East Care Awards. Hosted by local lad and one of the UK’s leading compares, Steve Walls, the sector’s inaugural awards for the region culminated in a spectacular gala dinner at the Marriott Hotel Gosforth Park, Newcastle
Sponsored by HET Software and supported by the Department of Health, the Great North East Care awards received nominations and support from all corners of the sector.
Nominations were invited from all corners of the sector and the region and successful candidates invited for interview. From here all the finalists and guests representing all areas of the care sector, attended a spectacular gala dinner at the Marriott Hotel where the winners were announced. The gala awards evening started in style with a champagne reception, followed by a superb gourmet dinner, the awards presentation with host Steve Walls and dancing into the night.
The Great North East Care Awards are part of the Great British Care Awards – a series of regional care awards throughout the UK. The awards are a celebration of excellence across the care sector and are managed by the team behind the Ceretas National Home Care Awards, a high profile annual event for the home care industry. The purpose of the awards is to promote best practice within both home care and care homes sectors, and pay tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work.
There are a total of around seventeen awards categories available for nomination, which represent all areas of the care sector, whether it be older people or specialist services, residential or home care. From frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training, IT and innovation.
The winners from all the regional awards will then be invited to attend the National Events for either Home Care or Care Homes sectors at the prestigious London’s Guildhall, in May and June 2010.
The awards have received support from across the social care sector, including the Department of Health, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Ceretas, the English Community Care Association (ECCA), the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and Action on Elder Abuse.
The awards support a chosen charity, The Maggie’s Centre, which has sites across the country supporting people who lives have been impacted upon by cancer. In total over £610 was raised during the evening for the charity.
Lisa Carr, a Director of the Great British Care Awards said,
“We were truly heartened to receive such an overwhelming response to the Great North East Care Awards and the quality of the nominations has been extremely high. The awards offer a unique opportunity to celebrate the successes of individuals, teams and businesses throughout the North East – people who really do make a positive impact on people’s lives. The awards will really help to raise the profile of social care in our region and we are delighted of the success of what was truly a memorable evening.”
John Mayhew, Chief Executive of HET Software and the awards’ principal sponsor comments,
“Following our involvement with the Ceretas Awards and Annual Conference I experienced firsthand the positive impact that such events can have for everyone involved in the care industry.
We all face the same challenges and share a common goal. The biggest challenge at the moment would appear to be the Government’s Personalisation Agenda. Although the full consequences of personalisation are not fully understood at this time, one thing is for certain – the impact will be far reaching.
In theory personalisation should accomplish what we all wish to achieve for home care service users, with greater choice leading to improved quality of life. Our common goal is to continuously improve the quality and consistency of care delivered and to raise the profile of the home care industry.
Through sponsorship of the Great British Care Awards HET Software can be instrumental in providing a national platform that helps to promote best practice and excellence in service delivery, acknowledges the commitment and dedication of the people who work within our sector and to generally raise the profile of the care sector in the UK.”
The winners of the inaugural Great North East Care Awards, together with the judges comments, are as follows:
Care Employer Award, Denise Blewitt and Jane Worsley – Community Integrated Care
Denise and Jane from CIC clearly demonstrated their commitment to developing their staff at all levels within the organisation.
The judges were impressed with the ‘can do’ attitude that runs throughout their staff and their clear success at developing services always moulded around an individual’s needs.
Care Home Worker Award, Melanie Turnbull – Lansbury Court Care Home, Sunderland
Melanie’s responses indicated strong recognition of the qualities required in delivery care. It was evident that she showed warmth and compassion. Overall Melanie was a worthy winner in the Care Home Worker Category.
Home Care Worker Award, Marie Smith – Direct Health Home Care
Marie demonstrated the required skills and qualities to be an outstanding care worker. She showed a vision for the future of home care services. Her real passion for making a positive difference to people’s lives shone through.
Care Newcomer, Paul Manning – Careforce, Wallsend
Paul demonstrated a real passion for his new career. He is an excellent communicator, and his grasp for the core values of care is highly evident. In his own words, Paul says “I wish I’d done it years ago.”
Care Home Registered Manager, Jill Carr – Lothian House Care Centre, Co Durham
The judges got a clear picture of Jill as a strong, competent manager of Lothian House. She has a firm belief in putting the residents in the centre of everything she does. Her team involvement in the development of the specialist prevention unit shows her ability to lead.
Home Care Registered Manager, Diane Hagan – Supporta Care, Stockton on Tees
Very difficult choice…but Diane exemplified an excellent manager. In her own words “no manager is a manager without a team, and mine is right alongside me.”
Dignity Carer, Karen Craggs – Hallgarth care Home, Durham City
30 years in service is reflected in knowledge of service user’s requirements in dignity, needs/emotions, and respect. Acknowledges the need for continual training, leads by example and requires accountability.
Dementia Carer, Lynn Day – Anchor Trust
Lynn is an inspiring ambassador for dementia care, her passion shining through with ”a vision of a house within the home and a door to a single place.”
The Care Team, Priory Court Care Team – Housing 21
The judges were impressed by the very high standard of the finalists all of whom deserved recognition. Priory court was selected due to their enthusiasm and motivation in what has been a difficult year. It is evident that the well trained team has pulled together to continue to offer exceptional levels of care.
Care Home Activity Organiser, Pat Cox – Redworth House, Shildon, Co Durham
Pat has an excellent understanding, knowledge base and proven ability of her role as an activities coordinator. She has passion and exuberance in abundance.
Care Trainer, Steve Morgan – Gateshead Council
This section presented a most challenging decision. However, the enthusiasm, commitment, dedication and both organisational ad personal achievements resulted in this outright winner. Congratulations!
Care Innovator , Caroline Bairstow – Step up to Life Scheme, Community Integrated Care
The step up to life initiative is truly innovative in the field of social inclusion and involving service users. The concepts of focus on specific projects give the whole scheme real purpose. Caroline demonstrated true passion for her work in this area.
Outstanding Contribution, Ron Bainbridge – Housing 21
The judges chose Ron as he demonstrated a long standing commitment to social care which has spanned nearly 50 years! From starting in a direct support role as a nursing assistant Ron’s career advanced rapidly eventually gaining the position of Director of Nursing and Associate General Manager in a long stay hospital for people with learning disabilities. Ron has a proven track record and a strong and commitment to social care. Congratulations Ron!