On Saturday 3rd November, the Lancaster Hotel, London provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of the Great London Care Awards, where the sixteen category winners were announced.
The Great London 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 London 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 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 Coronation Street actor Anthony Cotton 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 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 London 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 Londonare 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 London Care Awards, together with the judge’s comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer Award – Karen Batchelor – Scope
Karen underestimates the stability offered to her customers during a busy demanding year of management changes. It was impressive how she focussed on the customers and not the process. A true inspiration – well done Karen!
The Care Home Worker Award – Annalisa Baguio – Nightingale Hammerson
A wonderful approach to person-centred care, giving the service user choice and control in all aspects of the care and support provided. Annalisa takes extra time to understand the residents giving them as much extra time as they need.
The Home Care Worker Award – Sue Wilders, MiHomecare, Welling
Sue is the definition of caring. She supports her service users with a person centred approach to care with dignity and respect being at the core of her values. Congratulations Sue!
The Care Newcomer Award – Halie Richardson – Home Instead Senior Care, Barnet
An exceptional individual with a clear vision, despite and because of person challenges. Halie clearly exhibited her passion and the fulfilment she gets from her role. We are sure she will achieve everything she sets out to do – well done Halie, you deserve this!
The Care Home Registered Manager – Jan Lovett, The Fremantle Trust
Jan is an exceptional manager that exudes passion, dedication and professionalism to her care team and residents. Her skills in all areas within her home enable true support to her team.
The Home Care Registered Manager – Angela Davey – MiHomecare, Bethnal Green
Angela’s devotion to her team and her role is truly inspirational. A powerful and modest leader with a clear and concise message – Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.
The Nutrition & Hydration Award – Hilary May, Anchor
Hilary impressed the judges with her understated passion and delight with her role. She clearly understands her clients nutritional requirements and that meals can be the highlight of their day. Hilary made a real point of mentioning that it was a team effort and she could not do it without them all.
The Dignity in Care Award – Dennah Patterson, Care UK
Dignity is at the heart of Dennah. From the smallest action she understands the importance of personal choices and wishes and ensures dignity is at the forefront of all her care. Congratulations Dennah!
The Dementia Carer Award – Nicholas Kee Mew, Greensleeves Homes Trust
WOW! The judges were struck by Nicholas’s passion. He genuinely cares from the heart. Nicholas uses technology and is innovative, inspirational with a great understanding of individualised care in a wider community setting.
The Care Team Award – Caretech Community Services
The outstanding group demonstrated the qualities of a well lead, well-motivated, integrated team and share a passion for the people they support. They care for each other and their team work is key to their success – well done team!
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award – Yamina Mouffok, Four Seasons Healthcare
Yamina possesses that rare quality to empathise with the residents. She enjoys her role keeping the residents busy with a smile on their faces – well done Yamina you deserve this award!
The Care Trainer Award – Sylvia Kirkman, MiHomecare
Sylvia is a highly motivated and dedicated trainer who identifies different learning techniques for each individual she truly understands how professional qualifications increase confidence which increases quality care. A well-deserved winner!
The Care Innovator Award – Chris Gage, Ladder to the Moon
Chris demonstrated a real enthusiasm and passion for developing his theatre interaction to improve relationships between staff and their service users. His mission to promote non-pharmaceutical interventions is to be commended – well done Chris!
The Frontline Leaders Award – Steven Reading, Alzheimer’s Society
A quiet professional whose genuine quality leads him into a wide spectrum of service involvement. He brings compassion and creativity into his role and his commitment to the development of dementia care is rooted in knowledge, expertise and determination to succeed.
The Home Care Co-ordinator Award – Sam Jenner, MiHomecare
Sam is a compassionate and caring young woman who has a keen eye to detail and a sensitivity to the needs of service users and staff. There will be no stopping her moving forward in her future career – we wish you all the best Sam!
The Putting People First Award – Chris Garrard, Home Instead Senior Care
Chris really goes the extra mile! Nothing is too much trouble and it comes naturally to Chris to put people first. Chris is a true inspiration and a worthy winner of this award – well done Chris!