On Saturday 8th October the Blackpool Tower, Blackpool, provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of this the third Great North West Care Awards, where the twenty category winners were announced.
The Great North West Care 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 North West 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 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, 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 Sally Lyndsay, 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 North West 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 North West 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 North West Care Awards, together with the judges comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer Award – More than 250 Employees
Robert Black, Emma McCarthy & Jenny Jobber
CLS Care Services, Nantwich, Cheshire
CLS stood out as a clear winner for this category, the people who work and live in their homes are the centre of the organisation. The senior management take a hands on approach of care and they are passionate about the people successes in their organisation.
The Care Employer Award – Less than 250 employees
Claire Fryer
Mosaic Community Care Ltd, Preston, Lancashire
Claire is 29 and has done more in 8yrs than all of us do in a lifetime! Domiciliary care, residential childrens services, support holidays and a mobile crèche. A truly amazing combination of Richard Branson and Florence Nightingale.
The Care Home Worker Award
Stephen Cockerline
Barchester Healthcare – Marple Dale Care Centre, Stockport, Cheshire
Stephen was able to clearly demonstrate his natural caring ability by expressing himself with great passion, drive and desire to make a difference. We feel Stephen has a bright future ahead of him.
The Home Care Worker Award
Susan Porter
Sevacare UK Ltd, Worsley, Manchester
Susan puts all of her clients needs before her own, giving the special ‘sue treatment’ to her clients and their families. She is kind, caring and considerate, dedicated to her extended family.
The Care Newcomer Award
Damian Greenhalgh
Direct Health, Preston, Lancashire
Damian demonstrated passion couple with genuine desire to ensure that the care he provides was central to the individual. He demonstrated sound knowledge of the sector and his responsibilities whilst exhibiting great thought in his approach to care delivery.
The Care Home Registered Manager Award
Jennifer Wright
Ideal Care Homes, Dilton, Widnes
Bright, innovative, determined and professional. Has changed a failing home into an excellent home. Everyone in the care industry should pull together and provide good value and excellent care like Jennifer.
The Home Care Registered Manager Award:
Marie Lythgoe
Direct Health, Preston, Lancashire
Marie demonstrated a wonderfully ‘all round’ approach to the role of registered manager. At the forefront of managing to develop the services and steer the delivery in the direction of true personalisation with a service that places staff and client at the heart of the provision.
The Nutrition & Hydration Award
Debbie Mercandelli
Richmond Village Nantwich, Nantwich
A passionate approach to ensuring all of the people who use services have a varied and nutritious diet whilst making mealtimes a fun, happy & valuable experience.
The Dignity in Care Award
Susan Chadwick
Meridian Healthcare Group, Dukinfield
Susan’s commitment to dignity in care is outstanding and infectious. From workmen to cook her approach promotes excellence in care, making her a credit to the profession and a worthy winner.
The Dementia Carer Award
Simon Graham
Direct Health, Preston, Lancashire
Simon has a flair for his job, he demonstrates patience and interacts with people to build their trust. He is a true ambassador for his company and for the rights of people with dementia.
The Care Team Award
Greatwood House
Christine Parker, Pia Jensen & Jennie Gamble
Meridian Healthcare, Denton, Manchester
Although this is a larger complex the staff still have a very close relationship with their residents. Residents are given choices, freedom and are involved in a number of activities with the promotion of independence and dignity an absolute priority.
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award
Becky Reynolds
Buckshaw Retirement Village, Chorley
Becky has the ability to bride the gap between communities and care but far more – she has the ability to
visualise and bring forward the boundaries whilst taking risks to improve the lives of her residents.
The Ancillary Worker Award
Thomas Mackenzie
Abbeyfield, Gosforth, Cumbria
Thomas has transitioned from a career in engineering to a role in the care environment where he has performed over and above his day to day duties as a driver and maintenance worker.
The Care Trainer Award
Ruth Austin
Marple Dale Care Centre
Barchester Healthcare, Stockport, Cheshire
Ruth came across as passionate about her role and the importance of the impact of this on her organisation. She has achieved dramatic results to improve outcomes for residents in a short period of time.
The Care Innovator Award:
Rachel Law
Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Rochdale
Whilst having a zero budget from the Local Authority, Rachel has created and developed a range of services to improve the health and wellbeing of people with various needs in the Rochdale Borough, She radiates passion and dedication.
The Frontline Leaders Award
Dan McSherry
The Together Trust, Cheadle, Cheshire
Dan is an inspirational frontline leader who has overcome negativity and adversity to achieve what many people though was unachievable. Dan did this believing in his passion and determination to fulfil a young mans dreams.
The Home Care Co-ordinator Award
Christine Coupe
Domus Healthcare Group ltd, Oldham
Christine demonstrated genuine compassion and confidence in the work she does and is extremely passionate about her role and the company she works with. Christine is a fast thinker and presented herself professionally.
The Putting People First Award
Robinder Singh
North West Community Services Ltd, Preston, Lancashire
We were humbled by Robinders description of work and support in the most challenging of circumstances, doing his very best for vulnerable people, effecting real change to people’s quality of life.
The Carer’s Award
Geraldine Hackney, Macclesfield, Cheshire
Geraldine not only demonstrated outstanding committment and compassion to caring for her father she also extends these selfless qualitites to supporting the wider community. Geraldine took time to include all residents at her father’s nursing home in activities and trips to the cafe and since his death continues to play an active part as a volunteer, helping out with numerous activities and weekly coffee mornings. Geraldine is an inspiration!
The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
Jane Worlsey
Community Integrated Care, Widnes, Cheshire
Jane has worked in health and social care for the last 36 and through sheer hard work has moved up the career ladder to the position of Group Operations Director at Community Integrated Care.
Jane is proud of her roots as a nurse and these values driver her ambition and dedication to putting individuals first. She works tirelessly to ensure the individuals she supported are treated with dignity at all times and strives to leader her teams to develop continual improvement programmes