On Friday 8th November, the National Railway Museum, York provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of the Great Yorkshire and Humberside Care Awards, where the eighteen category winners were announced.
The Great Yorkshire and HumbersideCare 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 Yorkshire and Humberside 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 media personality and author Christine Hamilton 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 2014 at a prestigious venue in London.
The awards support a chosen charity; The Care Workers Charity 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 Yorkshire and Humberside Care Awards for the fifth 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 Yorkshire and Humbersideare 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 Yorkshire and Humberside Care Awards, together with the judge’s comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer Award – TLC Homecare
TLC were inspirational, their staff retention and ability to be dynamic in a rapidly changing sector coupled with their obvious passion made them the obvious choice for the judges. Well done TLC!
The Care Home Worker Award – Marie Danforth – Ideal Care Homes
The judges were blown away by Marie’s warm. Bubbly infectious personality. She said being nominated was better than winning the X-Factor – she definitely had the X-Factor in our eyes – congratulations Marie!
The Home Care Worker Award – Carol Morland – North Yorkshire County Council
Carol adopts an innovative approach to person centred care. She combines her caring and practical skills to support her colleagues aswell as her service user. Carol’s passion shines through and for her caring is a vocation not just a job. Congratulations Carol!
The Care Newcomer Award – Carla Hainsworth – Carefound Homecare
Carla was a worthy winner! The judges felt she had something very special in the way she talked about her role and the work she clearly enjoys. She had an enquiring, considered and caring approach which came over in a natural and respectful way.
The Home Care Registered Manager – Rebecca Buss – Elite Care Solutions Ltd
Rebecca demonstrated how she was personally driven to establish Elite Care Solutions to make a difference to people who are in need of quality care and support. She focuses on the individual and demonstrated great passion and emotion which was clear to show why her staff enjoy working for her.
The Nutrition & Hydration Award – Robin Jones – Millennium Care Services
Through his person centred approach to nutrition Robin teaches life skills and sees cooking as a therapy. He creates happy and positive feelings for service users, families and staff. His passion clearly shone through and was the judges obvious choice. Well done Robin!
The Dignity in Care Award – Jenny Flowers – Ideal Care Homes
A sparkling example of good care in practice. Jenny’s initiatives were intuitive and her passion for her role shone through. The judges were very confident that Jenny will achieve great things within the care sector. Congratulations Jenny!
The Dementia Carer Award – Domus Healthcare Rotherham Ltd
The team provided numerous examples of where they had been making significant improvements in Dementia care. They showed a very positive enthusiasm to developing the support packages for their carers whilst maintaining a person focussed and centred approach.
The Care Team Award – Penine Centre – Hull City Council
This team work hard together across health and social care. They communicate as one to solve and empower solutions and choice. They are all valued for their different strengths and work together to achieve the best possible care.
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award – Ruth Strangeway – Clifton St Anne’s Personal Care Services Ltd
Impressed by her passion, energy and drive Ruth strives to inspire and empower residents to be part of the community and creates magic moments every day. She has even gained a Guiness World Record for the oldest choir in the world!
The Ancillary Worker Award – Gillian Hindmarsh – Alba Rose Partnership
Gillian describes herself as a jack of all trade and master of none, from coming in during the night to re-decorate a lounge to involving residents in choosing seeds and plants for the garden, we believe everyone needs a Gillian in their organisation! She believes in treating everyone as individuals and always spends time getting to know all the residents as they are at the heart of everything she does – well done Gillian!
The Care Trainer Award – Alison Durkin – TLC Homecare
Alison absolutely wowed the judges with her enthusiastic, motivated and passionate drive to a difference. Her aim is that all the learning she provides is realistic and fun to ensure great care and understanding is carried out at all times.
The Care Innovator Award – Dave Whittock – Housing & Support Solutions
Dave has a great vision, demonstrating his skill and ability to work in partnership and collaboration. His approach encouraged and supported a number of organisations to pool resources and create his vision of working together.
The Frontline Leaders Award – Marek Dziankowski – Community Integrated Care
Marek is a passionate, enthusiastic and very creative in his approach to working in the sector. A charismatic leader who motivates his staff to work innovatively with young adults who live in the Street Lane Project. His stories were truly inspirational and Marek truly deserves this award.
The Home Care Co-ordinator Award – Pauline Skinner-Gibson – Elite Care Solutions Ltd
Pauline displayed infectious passion in her work where clients really are at the centre of all that she does. She cares for staff as well and ensures that their skills match the needs of clients in every way.
The Putting People First Award – Alzheimer’s Society
This team of people demonstrated real passion, determination and focus to making a difference to people’s lives who are affected by dementia. They reach out across all communities and established networks that have made a real difference to putting people first.