Friday 27th November saw over 300 of the very best in social care attended a glittering awards ceremony at Birmingham’ s Edgbaston Stadium for the finals of the Great West Midlands Care Awards, where the category winners were announced.
The Great West Midlands Care Awards, sponsored by Access Health & Social Care brought together the category finalists from across the West Midlands region.
The awards are part of the Great British Care Awards, a series of 9 regional awards celebrating excellence across the care sector. 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.
Sector support includes The Department of Health, The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Alzheimer’s Society, The National Care Forum and The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) as well as local authorities and commercial organisations.
The gala awards evening started in style with a drinks reception, followed by a superb gourmet dinner with some surprise entertainment throughout. This year’s awards theme was Grease and were presented by entertainer Steve Walls with an abundance of entertainment from Encore Entertainment.
Paul Patarou, Head of Sales for Access Health & Social Care, said: “We have had the pleasure of being key sponsors of the Great British Care Awards for 2 years in a row. I believe that these events and awards are hugely valuable in highlighting the great work that the care sector delivers and goes a long way in rewarding individual excellence. I am both proud and excited to be able to participate in the coming years’ activities representing Access’ care sector software PeoplePlanner and CareBlox.”
Sean Turner, Director of The Great British Care Awards, said: “The Great British Care Awards are now in their seventh year and are continuing to go from strength to strength. We never cease to be amazed with the quality of nominations and this year is no exception. This evening was a true celebration for the unsung heroes of social care, without whom quality care provision in our communities would fail.”
Winners of the Great West Midlands Care Awards will go through to the final at Birmingham’s ICC in Spring 2016.
The winners of the Great British West Midlands Care Awards, together with the judge’s comments are detailed below:
Care Employer Award
Solitare Homecare Services
Sue Webster set up the business 20 years ago an since this time has worked passionately to ensure her employees deliver excellent services in a family environment. She goes the extra mile to ensure her staff work in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Well done Sue!
Care Home Worker Award
Karen McGloughlin, Anchor
Karen says her sense of humour reflects on her happy mood and this reflects in turn on her residents and staff. The residents can call on Karen to ensure their requests are listed to and auctioned.
Home Care Worker Award
Barbara Stevens, Bluebird Care
Barbara is a care worker who has progressed through the system in her 2 years since joining. She has built and established her team, ensuring that all her new staff get regular face to face supervisions. She has built up a fantastic relationship with some of her clients, ensuring that their hobbies and passion are recognised.
Care Newcomer Award
Kirby Styceh, Solitare Home Care
Kirby is an inspirational carer who has a real passion to care for people. She treats her customers with dignity at all times and has developed lasting relationships with the people she supports. She has a personal reason for getting into care and the examples of how positively her support has impacted on the lives of her clients were truly moving.
Care Home Manager Award
Charmah Gauntlett, Tandy Court
Charmah demonstrated clear success in improving the outcomes for her customers, whilst enthusiastically managing all aspect of her role. Charmah has created a happy environment for customers and staff.
Home Care Manager Award
Angie Mason, Kare Plus
Angie has a passion for homecare and what the service means that stretches over 20 plus years. Her commitment and love for what she does shines through. Angie believes it is a privilege to work with her team and all her service users daily.
Dignity in Care Award
Emma Tomkinson, Bluebird Care
Emma demonstrated a clear understanding of dignity within the industry and the need to promote both physical and emotional dignity. She is a great champion to ensure that new staff are encouraged to develop and made aware of the need to promote and develop client choice.
Dementia Carer Award
Lisa Wright, Direct Health
Lisa is an inspirational individual, working long hours to ensure some of the most vulnerable people are provided excellent levels of care. She will often be found spending her own time supporting dementia sufferers to live a full and happy life.
Care Team Award
Direct Health, Telford
Direct Health impressed the judges with their well connected, dedicated and selfless attitude they have for each other and the individuals they care for. They have the x-factor in their selfless journey to providing quality personalised care at home.
Activity Co-ordinator Award
Eliana Santos Warren Farm Lodge
Eliana has overwhelming passion and enthusiasm for enhancing the lives of her customers. Her commitment to ensuring a fulfilling and normal life with varied and stimulating activities means that she is achieving her goral of giving something back.
Ancillary Worker Award
Denise Hendon and Laura Smart, Housing & Care 21
Denise and Laura are a pair of bully ladies with a zest for life and a clear passion for their roles They really are a positive presence ad undoubtedly enhance the lives of those they support, whether it be through their roles as cleaners, cares or activity co-ordinators! They really do it all!
Care Trainer Award
Solitare Home Care Services
A care team with ambition and creative vision who train with passion and focus to create a well trained functioning team
Care Innovator Award
Christine Asbury, WCS Care Group
Chrisinte showed absolute belief in the importance of assisting dementia residents to communicate. Her drive to empower residents with assistive ipad technology is revolutionary in the care sector.
Frontline Leaders Award
Janice Woodfield, Anchor
Janice has overcome her own health issues to become a highly dedicated and committed care manager. Her passion for quality of care, respect for her customers and loyalty to her team know no bounds.
Home Care Coordinator Award
Mandy Chatwin, Solitare Home Care Services
Mandy has been working in care for her entire career. She showed a passion for her cliets and a desire to ensure that the service got it right for each individual. She has a focus on her team and their successes.
Putting People First Award
Abbots House Team, Stoke on Trent City Council
A team that puts people first in every category of care, involving multidisciplinary group for best outcomes.
The Housing With Care Award
Extra Care, Coventry
This forward thinking team work together to unite a community of wellbeing. The judges were impressed by their person centred approach and creativity to maintain wellbeing for their customers.
Good Nurse Award
Jackie Howells, Russells Hall
Jackie’s tireless work ensuring that individuals with learning disabilities are recognised as individuals is outstanding. Jackie has bridged the gap between her clients and the healthcare professionals, giving those with learning difficulties a voice in their support plan.
Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
Mark Greaves, Anchor
For more information on The Great British Care Awards please visit our web site at www.care-awards.co.uk
Lets celebrate social care and help it get the recognition it deserves
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
- The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional and national awards throughout the UK
- Dates and locations for 2015 regional awards can be found at www.care-awards.co.uk
- Details of categories and criteria for the awards can be found at care-awards.co.uk