Saturday 14th November saw over 300 of the very best in social care attended a glittering awards ceremony at The Hilton Hotel, Gateshead, for the  finals of the Great North East Care Awards, where the category winners were announced.

The Great North East Care Awards, sponsored by Access Health & Social Care brought together the category finalists from across the North East 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.

There are a total of twenty 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, and specialist care in areas such as dementia and innovation.

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 wasGrease 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 North East Care Awards will go through to the final at Birmingham’s ICC in Spring 2016.

The winners of the Great British North East Care Awards, together with the judge’s comments are detailed below:

 

Care Employer Award

Amanda Purvis, My Care Services

In one year Amanda and management have set up My Care Services and established it well in the community.  Value drives this business which has grown into a fantastic provider of care. Well done!

 

Care Home Worker

Jean Davies, Anchor

Jean is the model of a true care worker, not only does she really care, just to encourage one smile from one of her service users means the world to her. She feels lucky to work for Anchor and is very happy to do her job to the best of her ability. A truly worthy winner.

 

Home Care Worker

Marie Hedley, Care and Share

Passionate about making a difference to the lives of others.  Marie goes above and beyond in providing quality, person centered care.  An inspirational lady!

 

Care Newcomer

Karlie Gillie, Anchor

Karlie is carrying on the familie’s passion to care.  She loves her job and puts the service users at the heart of everything she does.  An asset to the sector!

 

Care Home Manager

Elizabeth Robinson, Voyage

Elizabeth is an inspiring and determined manager whose achievements speak for themselves.  Her dedication to her staff and residents is clear to see.  She is truly deserving of this award and it was a pleasure to hear about the good support her care home delivers.

 

Home Care Manager

Maria Field, Pin Point Health and Social Care

Maria has used her wealth of business and care knowledge to develop a strong, quality based division from scratch.  Her enthusiasm and passion for her staff and clients under her charge shines through.

 

The Dignity in Care Award

Holly Hudghton, Advina Health Care

Holly is a passionate, dedicated and informed nurse who makes it her business to research topics with which she is not familiar to better care for the service users.  Thoroughly deserved

 

Dementia Carer Award

Laura Jane Burnham, Advina Health Care

Laura’s mantra is ‘See the person as an individual, walk in the shoes and see it through eyes’.  Well done Laura

 

Care Team Award

Philips Court, Akari Care

Their external appearance of humour, fun, extrovert personalities, befits the serious work they do in making Philips Court a very rare type of home in the UK.  Thoroughly Deserved

 

Care Home Activity Organiser Award

Nicola Laycock, St Martin’s Care Group

Nicola’s enthusiasm for her role is truly inspiring.  She is a naturally caring individual and her mission is to help residents achieve things that they never thought possible.  Her view is that ‘the best is yet to come!’.  This positive attitude must be such a boost to the residents she supports.  Keep up the amazing work!

 

Ancillary Worker Award

Stacey Natrass, HC One

Stacey puts the needs of the residents in all that she does.  In her words, ’the job would be nothing without the residents’.  A worthy winner

 

Care Innovator Award

Margaret Liddell, My Care Services

This person has had the courage to challenge care provision standards and offer a fresh new approach.  By empowering and valuing the carer, new levels of care provision can be achieved.

 

Frontline Leaders

Scott Forsyth, New Prospects Associates

Scott is passionate about the work he does, putting ‘the person’ into person centred support and encouraging the staff team to do the same

 

Home Care Coordinator

Jemma Brady, Direct Health

Jemma is an excellent Coordinator who adopts a proactive approach to ensuring quality of care.  She has forged relationships with external partners including particular Marie Curie.  Her passion for providing  quality end of life care is exceptional

 

Putting People First Award

Keith Hogan, Gemma Robinson, Special Olympics Gateshead

Team working is key to overcoming barriers.  Being part of Special Olympics Gateshead has been life changing, empowering individuals, giving them confidence in their own abilities to achieve their goals.

 

The Good Nurse Award

Debbie Allen, HC One

Debbie is a humble self effacing individual who over many years has dedicated her life to caring for others.  Well deserved!

 

Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award

Dr Guy Turnbull, Care and Share Associates

Dr Guy Turnbull who suffers from cerebral palsy has been involved in the co-operative and social enterprise sector since 1988, and is now the full-time managing director of Care & Share Associates.  Care & Sharer Associates is an employee owned business he helped to found.

Previously, Dr Turnbull has worked across the UK as a social economy consultant, specialising in business planning, training, and research and strategic planning. He helped establish some of the most successful social enterprises around, written books and much else besides.