On Friday 25th October, Peterborough provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of the Great East of England Care Awards, where the sixteen category winners were announced.
The Great East of England Care 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 East of England 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 sixteen 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 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 presenter Penny Smith 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 East of England Care Awards for the fourth 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 the East of Englandare 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 of England Care Awards, together with the judge’s comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer Award – Emma John & Rachel Fitton, The Partnership in Care Ltd
What Emma and Rachel has achieved and managed to translate to the staff is truly remarkable. The way that they holistically recruit, train and support their staff empowers staff development and creates a model for care that should be adopted nationally.
The Care Home Worker Award – Louise Chilvers – Hallmark Care Homes
An inspirational leader of the future who promotes independence, choice and individuality. Louise wants to remove the stigma of becoming a resident of a care home by promoting it as a lifestyle choice that is not always inevitable. Fully deserving this award – the judges were unanimous!
The Home Care Worker Award – Teresa McCarthy – Home Instead Senior Care – Brentwood
An inspirational home care worker that has literally saved lives. A fantastic example that should be followed by other and a real testament to quality care in the sector. Well Done Teresa!
The Care Newcomer Award – Jane Lythgoe – The Partnership in Care Ltd
Having cared for her younger brother through terminal illness Jane has found a passion for ensuring people receive care as individuals right through to the end of their lives. Despite having no experience, Jane’s understanding of treating people as individuals was just natural.
The Care Home Registered Manager Award – Carol Rhind – Hallmark Care Homes
Carol has created a culture within the care home she manages that in her words is ‘not a care home but a home that cares for residents’ she has shown that integrity and strong leadership are her key qualities for which the judges all recognise as a winning combination!
The Home Care Registered Manager Award – Nikki Ayliff – Axiom Crossroads Care
Nikki came across as someone who is really passionate about the service and about the emphasis on standards. She said her ‘Ill talk to anyone who will listen’ and came across as a great networker. She has developed the business a fantastic amount in a very short space of time. Congratulations Nikki!
The Dignity in Care Award – Faye Gatenby – Essex Cares Ltd
Faye is passionate about the work she does. She promotes within her own values and characteristics an understanding that to promote dignity you need to start from a baseline of humanity and to live the life of the person, their feelings and self esteem.
The Dementia Carer Award – Debbie Day – Churchgate Healthcare
Debbie’s passion to deliver quality person centred care shone through. She is thirsty for knowledge and motivates colleagues to do the same. For Debbie its little things that make a big difference. Congratulations Debbie!
The Care Team Award – Cambridge Care Team – Sagecare Ltd
An outstanding team which has a refreshingly different approach. In the words of one member ‘we are only happy when the service user is happy’, what a great ethos for the whole team and a fantastic example of great practice.
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award – Lyn Andrews – Greensleeves Homes Trust
Lyn challenges perception and is a passionate facilitator. She enables colleagues, residents, family and the community to be involved. Lyn see no boundaries and there is no such thing in Lyn’s world as ‘can’t’.
The Ancillary Worker Award – Paul Gray – NorseCare
After 33yrs in his closing care home, Paul has adapted to oversee the transition of residents from his care home to a new housing with care development. Despite his own reservations he put his personal reservations aside to support his residents through this difficult process. Now settled Paul continues to support and empathise with all his residents and promotes the benefits of housing with care.
The Care Innovator Award – Diane Palmer – North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
A lack of provision of assistance for military personnel with mental health problems was clear to Diane when she worked in the M.O.D. She approached her local NHS Trust with a proposal to plug the gap and has been successful in developing a multi disciplinary service. She has genuinely become a help the heroes champion!
The Frontline Leaders Award – Nicola Davey – Anchor
Nicola is flexible, motivated and passionate, she is driven by her role in the organisation. It was evident in all her answers that making a difference is what really matters. Well done Nicola!
The Putting People First Award – Emma John & Rachel Fitton, The Partnership in Care Ltd
The Partnership in Care Team are very worthy winners of this award. They brought a refreshing and invigorating approach to the way they want their operation to provide an empowering and person centred service. Enthusiasm, flexibility and a positive approach whilst valuing their staff were key to the delivery of their service.
The Unpaid Carers Award – Faith Jaggard
Faith is an exceptional individual, she spent many years caring for her mother and now also her husband who suffers from Dementia. As well as this she volunteers for Baylham Care Centre and her commitment and enthusiasm really touches the hearts of all the residents. Well done Faith!
The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award – Jan Flawn, PJ Care
Working in care for over 25yrs, Jan’s passion and commitment to the sector is truly outstanding. She has developed many care models over the years and as the founder of PJ Care she continues to drive continual improvement and development to ensure nothing but quality care shines through.