On Friday 7th October the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of this the third Great East Midlands Care Awards, where the nineteen category winners were announced.
The Great East MidlandsCare Awards, who’s principal sponsor is h.e.t. software are supported by the Department of Health. The awards 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 East Midlands 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), the National Skills Academy for Social Care, 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 nineteen 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 the region and successful candidates 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 Vanessa Feltz from Radio 2 fame, entertainment from all girl group electric string quartet Asteria and 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 May and June 2012 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 East Midlands Care Awards for the third time. The care awards are goning 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 the East Midlands are 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 East Midlands Care Awards, together with the judges comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer Award
Alkarim Kachra, Adbul Kachra & Ali Kachra
Country Court Care
Market Deeping, Peterborough
Country Court Care is an impressive example of a successful forward thinking business coupled with a determination to maintain a hands on family culture. A strong passion for providing quality care shone through. They are the benchmark for the future of quality care in the region.
The Care Home Worker Award
Jim Watt
Milford Care Group
Milford, Derbyshire
Jim’s passion and enthusiasm shone through as he walked into the judging room. The judges were impressed with his empathy for those in his care and his passion for delivering the very best service – Every care home should have a Jim
The Home Care Worker Award
Ritaben Patel
Westminster Homecare
Leicester
Ritaben demonstrated her passion and commitment for caring. Every day is a special day for Ritaben and she makes the day special for everyone she meets.
The Care Newcomer Award
James Thurlby
PerCurra Ltd
Nottingham
James was exceptional, his passion and commitment shone through! James demonstrated a real personal touch to his work whilst wanting to ensure everyone he works with are safe and happy. Having experienced personally the consequence of poor care he seeks to make a real difference to others in the future by making sure the care he provides is the best.
The Care Home Registered Manager Award
Nike Ajewole
Tanglewoods, Cedar Falls
Lincolnshire
Nike is passionate about the well-being and development of residents and staff. She promotes a positive image of care in her local community and has even persuaded her local MP to hold his surgeries at the home.
The Home Care Registered Manager Award
Natalie Jordan
Bluebird Care (East Staffs and South Derbyshire)
Burton on Trent
Natalie Jordan showed passion and commitment for her role, with customer satisfaction as her top priority. She brings to the job all her previous experience. A worthy winner!!
The Dignity in Care Award
Helena Adjeke
Home Instead Senior Care
Leicester
Helena is a shining example of a dignity champion. Her infectious enthusiasm and passion for her service users is evident. Going above and beyond the call of duty comes naturally to Helena and promoting dignity and independence is at the heart of everything she does.
The Dementia Carer Award
Jessan Malagad
Milford Care Homes
Nottingham
Jessan is highly motivated and dedicated. He is very committed to developing his own practice and that of others in the area of dementia. He realises the specialist needs for people with dementia and strives to improve the care they receive.
The Care Team Award
Angie Boyse, Fran Shaw & Jake Keightley
The Aigburth Care Team, Methodist Homes
Leicestershire
An outstanding team, who respect each other within a clear structure that enables residents to make real decisions about their home. Everybody is interlinked and makes an impact.
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award
Jenny Carlisle And Sharon Morledge
Elder Homes Group
Nottingham
They presented as a word wind of activity promoting involvement throughout the home. Both ladies were so passionate and enthusiastic to their role which seemed to have no boundaries. They go the extra mile by their scope and range of activities they promote. They involve all residents and try to find ways to include everyone.
The Ancillary Worker Award
Nigel Walker
Monarch Healthcare
Nottingham
Nigel impressed the judges with his enthusiasm for his job. He provides a good quality of life for the residents through his work and to quote Nigel ‘it’s for the residents – it’s another chapter in their life’.
The Care Trainer Award
Ray Gibson,
Sevacare UK Ltd
Coalville, Leicestershire
Ray demonstrated a clear passion and enthusiasm for his role as Care Trainer. He described it as a privilege to train care staff in the importance of their job role and that all of them are valued members of staff.
The Care Innovator Award
Adam Turvey
Burlington Care Homes
Northampton
Adam communicated a clear solution to an issue within his home. Adam’s vision was implemented with enthusiasm and great success. It was clear that the residents and their family members benefit hugely from this specific person centred activity record.
The Frontline Leaders Award
Kim Maddison,
Enable Care & Home Support
Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Wow – The passion and commitment for her work bowls one over. Kim is a really inspirational person driving not only her staff, her clients but also other professionals.
Emblazoned on her chest plate are the standards for individualism. A perfect advocate.
The Housing with Care Award
Pat Hallows, Chris Betts & Julie Johnson
Care & Housing Team
Housing 21
Derbyshire
Panel was impressed by the passionate leadership – this team gets results and the development of services both for residents of the scheme and the rest of the community. We were particularly struck by the detailed care planning that includes inspirational pointers.
The Home Care Coordinator Award
Cindy Orme
Walnut Care at Home
Boston
Cindy is very focussed on supporting people’s independence. Her aspiration being that everybody should be enabled and supported to live the life they would want to live at home. The judges were also impressed with the support and encouragement she provides to her staff.
The Putting People First Award
Sue Mecer
Nottingham County Council, Adult Social Care, Health & Public Protection
Sutton in Ashfield, Nottingham
Sue’s professional approach to her role and her willingness to go that extra mile towards including, empowering and enabling customers should be a benchmark to all care and support providers.
The Carer’s Award
Sarah Jayne Whotton
Sarah cares for her mother who had a stroke 7 years ago. Despite suffereing from her own health problems Sarah has stived continuously to get the best quality care, fighting her way through the care system to ensure the best outcomes for her mother. Despite setbacks she has not given up and is relentless in her endeavours. Sarah goes to great lengths to integrate her mother in the wider community and is an inspirational carer.
The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
Julia Davies
Milford Care
Julia is passionate about delivering the highest possible standards of care. Her specialism in End of Life Care is an area in which she holds very close to heart and continues to develop this area to support residents and their families.
Julia is a member of the ‘McMillan Life Enhancing Care Programme steering group and her work this area is highly regarded. Julia’s passion and commitment and innovation to care is inspirational.