Saturday 10th October saw the exciting climax to the inaugural Great West Midlands Care Awards. Hosted by Cheryl Baker from Bucks Fizz fame, the sector’s inaugural awards for the region culminated in a spectacular gala dinner at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull.
Sponsored by HET Software and supported by the Department of Health, the Great West Midlands Care Awards received nominations and support from all corners of the sector.
Nominations were invited from all corners of the sector and the region, with successful candidates being invited for interview. From here all the finalists and guests representing all areas of the care sector, attended a spectacular gala dinner at the National Cycle Museum, where the winners were announced. The gala awards evening started in style with a champagne reception, followed by a superb gourmet dinner, the awards presentation with celebrity presenter Cheryl Baker of Bucks Fizz fame, and dancing into the night.
The Great West Midlands Care Awards are part of the Great British Care Awards – a series of regional care awards throughout the UK. The awards are a celebration of excellence across the care sector and are managed by the team behind the Ceretas National Home Care Awards, a high profile annual event for the home care industry. 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.
There are a total of around eighteen awards categories available for nomination, which represent all areas of the care sector, whether it be older people or specialist services, residential or home care. From frontline staff such as care workers and care managers, to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training, IT and innovation.
The winners from all the regional awards will then be invited to attend the National Events for either Home Care or Care Homes sectors at the prestigious London’s Guildhall, in June 2010.
The awards have received support from across the social care sector, including the Department of Health, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Ceretas, the English Community Care Association (ECCA), the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and Action on Elder Abuse.
The awards support a chosen charity, The Maggie’s Centre, which has sites across the country supporting people who lives have been impacted upon by cancer.
Lisa Carr, a Director of the Great British Care Awards said,
“We were truly heartened to receive such an overwhelming response to the Great West Midlands Care Awards and the quality of the nominations has been extremely high. The awards offer a unique opportunity to celebrate the successes of individuals, teams and businesses throughout the West Midlands – people who really do make a positive impact on people’s lives. The awards will really help to raise the profile of social care in our region and we are delighted of the success of what was truly a memorable evening.”
John Mayhew, Chief Executive of Het Software and the awards’ principal sponsor comments,
“Following our involvement with the Ceretas Awards and Annual Conference, I experienced firsthand the positive impact that such events can have for everyone involved in the care industry.
We all face the same challenges and share a common goal. The biggest challenge at the moment would appear to be the Government’s Personalisation Agenda. Although the full consequences of personalisation are not fully understood at this time, one thing is for certain – the impact will be far reaching.
In theory personalisation should accomplish what we all wish to achieve for home care service users, with greater choice leading to improved quality of life. Our common goal is to continuously improve the quality and consistency of care delivered and to raise the profile of the home care industry.
Through sponsorship of the Great British Care Awards HET Software can be instrumental in providing a national platform that helps to promote best practice and excellence in service delivery, acknowledges the commitment and dedication of the people who work within our sector and to generally raise the profile of the care sector in the UK.”
The winners of the inaugural Great West Midlands Care Awards, together with the judges comments, are as follows:
Care Employer – Allcare (Shropshire) Ltd
Wendy and Martin Beesley’s approach was inspired by their wish to support and develop their staff, with training and career opportunities, which enable them to provide the kind of care that Wendy would have wished for her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease.
Care Home Worker – Marie Woodcock – Sebright House
Marie demonstrated a true understanding and awareness of what it takes to be a good carer. Her great satisfaction was to see her residents happy whether that be in the home environment or on holiday in Blackpool. But above all she took time to care.
Home Care Worker – Mandy Halpin – Radis Community Care
Mandy felt that common sense was the most important asset for a Home Care Worker. She has a perceptive knack of assessing situations whilst encouraging and reskilling her service users. She enjoys her job with the aim “to make a difference”
Care Newcomer – Amy Hughes – Worcestershire Care Group
Amy is an enthusiastic, happy and clearly a very capable carer. She has clearly understood the demands of her role and enjoys delivering care.
Care Home Registered Manager – Kay Davies – Woodcote Hall
The panel decided that Kay would be a worthy winner due to her unique management style. She demonstrated a clear commitment to making the home a full part of the community.
Home Care Registered Manager – Claire Cooper – Radis Community Care
The judges were very impressed with Claire’s experience having progressed from Care Assistant to Home Care Manager. She showed a quite determination with strong leadership skills with considerable emphasis on client satisfaction, training and communication. She is a worthy winner.
Care Home Nutrition – Jo Shuker– Sebright House Nursing Home
Jo’s belief is that food should be a pleasure for everyone, mixed with the passion and commitment she demonstrated clearly benefit the wellbeing of her residents.
Dignity in Care – Abbots House Team – Stoke on Trent City Council
The Abbots House Team truly demonstrated that dignity is at the heart of their care practices. From the principals of dignity being at the heart of their training to “chicken in the garden” they have a real passion and commitment.
Dementia Carer – Jo Shuker – Sebright House Nursing Home
Jo is an inspiration and full of creative ideas. Her passion for providing individual care for people living with dementia shines from her.
Care Team – Abbots House Team – Stoke on Trent City Council
The Team used a refurbishment as a springboard to change the culture and create an innovative, passionate team to enhance the support for people in their establishment.
Care Home Activity Organiser – Stephanie Jones – Castel Froma
Stephanie was chosen for her innovate ideas in engaging a diverse resident group who have complex needs. She demonstrated a real commitment to improving the well being of residents through activities that were very creative.
Ancillary Care – Graham Taylor – Bupa Care Homes
Graham demonstrated an approach to his job which ensures that individual residents are at the heart of what he does and how he does it.
Care Trainer – Sue Huxley – Lynhales Hall Ltd
The decision as to who would win this award was made extremely difficult by the high quality of those shortlisted. Sue impressed us with her commitment and enthusiasm for the job, her personal approach and her philosophy of access to all.
Winner of Outstanding Contribution, Meg Fallon, Lynhales Hall Nursing Home
Meg had made a significant contribution to social care not only through her work at Lynhales Hall Nursing Home, but also in her work with Bradford University in the design and building of a new dementia unit. She has as well, found time to study gaining additional qualifications and most importantly shown compassion above and beyond the call of duty to many vulnerable people. She is a worthy winner.