On Friday 12th November the National Railway Museum in York, provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of the third Great Yorkshire and Humber Care Awards, where the eighteen category winners were announced.
The Great Yorkshire and Humber Care Awards, supported by the Department of Health and HET Software, 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 Yorkshire and Humber 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 from North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council, East Riding Council and Government Office Yorkshire and Humber together with commercial organisations are also supporting the awards. Caring UK magazine is the media partner.
There were a total of eighteen awards 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 demntia 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. The gala award evening started in style with a champagne reception, followed by a superb gourmet dinner and the awards presentation with comedian Helen Lederer and Look North Presenter Harry Gration, followed by 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 2011 at the prestigious Royal Courts of Justice in London.
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.
In addition an auction for the Care Professionals Benevolent Fund was held – the prize, a jeroboam of French rose wine 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 Yorkshire and Humber Care Awards for this the third time. The care awards are goning from strength to strength with this year’s regional events attracting the crème de la crème from the social care workforce. 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 Yorkshire and Humber 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 Yorkshire and Humber Care Awards, together with the judges comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer (More than 250) Award
WINNER – Paul Philips – Springfield Homecare – Garforth – Leeds
The panel were impressed with the passion, vision and leadership of the nominee. Placing HR at the centre of work meant that employees are awarded for their attitude and development of skills.
The Care Employer (Less than 250) Award
WINNER – Westward Care Ltd – Leeds
The judges were impressed by Westward Care Ltd’s novel, exciting and innovative approach to delivering care services in a way that supports service users’ independence and the staff delivering the care.
The Care Home Worker Award
WINNER – Jan Cooper – Barchester – Knaresborough – North Yorkshire
Jan took panel members on her own personal journey of discovery. She demonstrated to the judges the difference that an excellent care home worker can make to the care for people living in the home in which she works. She was able to demonstrate a commitment, enthusiasm and challenge. Making a real difference to the people she cares for a key element was her work with families to include them in the journey of introducing person centred care within what for her is a vocation not a job.
The Home Care Worker Award
WINNER – David Oxley – Autism Plus – Sheffield
We found David very natural and thoughtful; all his answers were meaningful and sincere putting the service user first. His comment that it was a privilege to go to work struck a significant note with us.
The Care Newcomer Award
WINNER – Rebecca Brooke – Allied Health Care – Halifax – West Yorkshire
The judges felt that Rebecca had fully embraced what providing good care to her customers was all about in a very short period of time. Rebecca demonstrated an excellent disposition towards her role and the judges would be very pleased to have Rebecca providing care to them.
The Care Home Registered Manager Award
WINNER – Tracey Fullard – North Yorkshire Council – Harrogate
Tracey manages a rapidly changing environment; most residents are temporary. Notwithstanding this, her dedication to improving the lives of residents put her ahead of an excellent group of finalists.
The Home Care Registered Manager Award
WINNER – Theresa Constive – Allied Health Care – Halifax – West Yorkshire
Theresa impressed the judges with her understanding of the need for clear directions and appropriate analysis of performance in developing a home care service that inspires confidence and meets the needs of users of the service.
The Care Home Nutrition & Hydration Award
WINNER – Jane Williams – MHA – Hull – North Humberside
The judges felt that Jane listens to the residents and was able to provide them with nutritional food made from good quality ingredients. Jane is a very passionate individual and this is illustrated through her cooking.
The Dignity in Care Award
WINNER – Val Sutton – City of York Council – York – North Yorkshire
Vas ably demonstrated her breadth of experience and personal commitment to the promotion of dignity in care. Val showed how much she cared and her passion for the work she does in the area of dignity shone through. She demonstrated an active and positive enthusiasm for the work she does and in helping others to reflect the values that underpin the ethos of dignity in care.
The Dementia Carer Award
WINNER – Jo Edmond – St Celia – Scarborough – North Yorkshire
The judges felt that Jo stood out – in a quiet way – and inspired us with her personal journey of growth and development in dementia care. She showed insight and empathy towards people living with dementia and their families.
The Care Team Award
WINNER – Supported Living Team at Sun Health – Barnsley – South Yorkshire
The judges noted that – no-one ever leaves this fantastic team – and why would they? – A great group of people utterly committed to very marginalised people. They are creative, vibrant, enthusiastic and inclusive – a real team!
The Care Home Activity Organiser Award
WINNER – Christine Watson – Adams – The Wilfward Family Trust – Leeds
The enthusiasm and creativity put into making these short-break holidays fun and memorable for each individual was really impressive.
The Ancillary Worker Award
WINNER – Leslie Donno – Elizabeth Finn Homes – Harrogate
The judges enjoyed listening to Leslie’s experience of being part of a committed team. He demonstrated a strong work ethos whilst ensuring choice and flexibility for the people he cares for.l
The Putting People First Award
WINNER – Personalisation Forum – Rebound – Doncaster
“Andrew, Judith and Vinney so impressed the judges with their “Get a life not a Service” approach of this personalisation forum for people with mental illness. A truly inspiring group with the WOW factor!”
The Care Trainer Award
WINNER – Andrea Bayston – HICA – Hull
The judges were impressed with Andrea’s innovative approach to training delivery and the way in which she ensured that everyone was engaged in the training – specifically catering training to individuals whose first language wasn’t English.
The Care Innovator Award
WINNER – Tina Sanderson – Emerald Activities, Bradford West Yorks
Tina displayed exceptional qualities and clear vision for innovative services she showed flair, passion and creativity which is why the judges felt she was a deserving winner within this field of strong candidates.
The Carers Award
WINNER – Lis Johnstone
Lis has been a carer for 8 years: due to her parent’s health, later for her husband,
and as her children received diagnoses. Lis is involved in CANDI the parent carer forum
and York Carers Forum. Lis constantly takes on challenges thrown up by her caring role
remaining cheerful, optimistic and supportive of others.
The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
WINNER – Ann Smyth, Director, The Carer’s Resource – Harrogate
Anne is one of the most respected leaders in the third sector. She has devoted eighteen years of her life to the carer cause and developed The Carers’ resource to be one of the largest and most developed carers’ centres in the country. Anne’s passion and commitment to the carer cause is contagious and personal, but she has also been successful in influencing the recognition that carers now receive at a strategy and national policy level.
From very humble beginnings working alongside carers in Harrogate Anne has grown The Carers’ Resource to an organisation of 72 people, with its’ head office in Harrogate and other bases in Ripon, Bradford and Skipton. The Carers’ Resource was the first established carers centre to be invited to join the Princess Royal Trust for Carers network and is now one of the largest carers’ centres in the country.
Anne has a clear focus and her ability to innovate and anticipate means she has been successful in bidding and winning national money from comic relief and the Big Lottery. Her local knowledge and expertise is also recognised and the work of The Carers’ Resource is funded locally by North Yorkshire County Council, Bradford Metropolitan District Council and the Primary care Trust.
Under Anne’s stewardship the organisation has supported thousands of carers – young carers, parent carers and adult carers and made a difference to their lives. She has worked with partners in the public sector and large national charities to deliver innovative services whilst not forgetting that every carers needs are unique to them and the thing that they value the most is quality of the relationship with their worker and support in navigating their way through the services that exist.