On Friday 9th November, the National Railway Museum, York provided a spectacular backdrop for the finals of the Great Yorkshire and Humberside Care Awards, where the nineteen category winners were announced.
The Great Yorkshire and HumbersideCare 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 Yorkshire and Humberside 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 nineteen 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 TV actress Fay Ripley 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 2013 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 Yorkshire and Humberside Care Awards for the forth 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 Yorkshire and Humbersideare 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 Humberside Care Awards, together with the judge’s comments are detailed below:
The Care Employer Award
North Lincolnshire Council
An organisation which is driven by the investment into its staff to achieve tangible outcomes for the people who it serves. The management demonstrated a high level of business acumen within this public sector environment.
The Care Home Worker Award
Tiffany Hunt – The Alba Rose Partnership
Pickering
Tiffany is a truly rising star in the care industry. As well as being an excellent carer she has the ability to lead and inspire others through her knowledge and dedication.
The Home Care Worker Award
Rupert Campbell – Bluebird Care Bradford North
Rupert is a very caring and committed person, cheerful and friendly with a natural exuberance and sunny nature. He treats every client with great thoughtfulness, always working to maximise his clients capabilities.
The Care Newcomer Award
Joanne Hindmarsh – The Alba Rose Partnership
Pickering
Joanne demonstrated a natural instinct in delivering compassionate and good quality care. With willingness to learn and develop personal skills so that she could do the best in her role – well done Joanne!
The Care Home Registered Manager Award
Alison Bedford – AIKMO Medical Ltd
Whitby, North Yorkshire
Alison is a dynamic, innovative leader who motivates her staff. The residents are at the centre of everything she does and she demonstrates a real can do attitude in response to fulfilling the wishes of everyone who lives in her care home.
The Home Care Registered Manager Award
Rachel Alcock – St Annes Community Services
Leeds
Rachel shows exceptional commitment to her clients and staff and does not shirk the real challenges that come with personalisation. Rachel demonstrated a genuine commitment to meeting a particular service users aspirations and her tenacity and commitment to achieve common consensus.
The Nutrition & Hydration Award
Jean Thorpe & Trudy Fulton – Radcliffe Gardens – Mosaic Care
Preston/ Pudsey
The judges were impressed by Jean’s holistic approach and knowledge, highlighting the importance of individuals nutritional needs promoting overall good health.
The Dignity in Care Award
Diane Round – Dimensions
Sheffield
Diane impressed us with her knowledge and understanding, able to translate meaning into practice now and for the future care and support that people need – well done Diane!
The Dementia Carer Award
Bryan Thorpe – City of York Council
York
The judges were taken aback by Bryan’s deep genuine concern for providing his unique and passionate person-centred approach to enhancing his residents’ quality of life. An inspiration to us all.
The Care Team Award
Abbey Grange Care Team – Country Court Care
Sheffield
The team showed dedication for the work they do and well deserved pride in their achievements. Having moved from being in administration to being a reputable care home is a true success story. Hearing how the team pulled together was inspirational.
The Activity Co-ordinator Award
Margaret Cochrane – Leonard Cheshire Disability
Alne, York
Margaret’s 20yrs experience has been put to good use in the varied activities that she organises. Her persistence with encouraging the residents has resulted in some unique activities being organised. She is a true asset to Alne Hall.
The Ancillary Worker Award
Gary Shaw – Ideal Care Homes
Leeds
The judges thought Gary’s enthusiasm came across in abundance, his passion for the role and his willingness to involve the residents in the improvement of the homes’ facilities was clear to see. Gary is a credit to the company.
The Care Trainer Award
Nicky Lyall – St Annes Community Services
Leeds
Nicky is a relaxed, easy going, knowledgeable trainer who likes her learners to leave her sessions wanting more – She certainly left the judges wanting more! Congratulations Nicky!
The Care Innovator Award
Barbara Hodkinson – The Butterfly Scheme
The judges were impressed by Barbara’s innovation and that as one person unaware of the boundaries facing her she was dogged in her determination to succeed. Using personal insight has brought real benefit to the lives of the people up and down the country.
The Frontline Leaders Award
Leonnie Martin – Springfield Healthcare Group
Leeds
Leonnie impressed the judges with her insightful approach to person-centred care delivery showed exemplary leadership and a passion to lead by example to empower staff.
The Home Care Co-ordinator Award
Julie Hastwell – Radis Group
Leeds
Julie impressed the judges with her forthright approach and can do attitude. She works hard to ensure her staff team are fully supported and meets her clients’ needs and aspirations – a well worthy winner!
The Putting People First Award
Charles Chikwana – Anchor
Sheffield
The judges are delighted to give this award to Charles because his natural affinity with his clients shone through. He demonstrated a real understanding of how the people he supports can benefit from his natural intuition into finding out what their needs are – well done Charles!
The Unpaid Carers Award
Gillian Archbold
Wakefield
Gillian has considerable experience of caring for various members of her family, including her daughter who was born with cerebral palsy. Gillian has drawn on her knowledge to help other parents of disabled children in Yorkshire and Humberside access their rights and services, as well as improve understanding of disability in schools and other settings, driven by a desire to see a more inclusive society.
The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
Richard Pick – The Wilf Ward Family Trust
Pickering
Richard Pick has dedicated a career spanning over 40 years to improving social care in the Yorkshire region. Richard’s passion and vision for the sector has earned him the upmost respect from colleagues, competitors and partners. An inspirational social care professional.