Home care triumph for Ceretas and award winners
Home care triumph for Ceretas and award winners
By Paul Roberts
www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk
Home care has had more than its fair share of bad publicity in recent months – as a result of the ‘fall-out’ from BBC Panorama’s investigation of the industry.
But a major event in London on June 6 2009 was a timely reminder of the excellence of home care’s ‘unsung heroes’ in many parts of the UK.
I was one of the fortunate 500 who attended the Ceretas National Home Care Awards presentation ceremony at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square.
It was a truly uplifting event, recognising in great style the incredible achievements of Britain’s care workers, co-ordinators, care managers and innovators.
Comedienne Ruby Wax hosted the gala night with great passion and humour. But the real stars of the ceremony were the award winners.
Of course, the BBC and other national media who are only interested in highlighting bad news in home care gave no coverage to the event.
As far as they are concerned, good news is not news – particularly amid the gloom of MPs’ expenses and election crises – and is best ignored.
What an opportunity they missed to put the spotlight on a ‘feel-good’ ceremony that raised the spirits of everyone who attended.
Who, for instance, would not have been moved by the story of Gwen Sharpin, winner of the Home Care Worker South East Award?
Gwen, 80 this year, achieved her NVQ Level 2 at the age of 76 and is one of the star workers for Meritum Independent Living.
She loves her work. She is brilliant at her job. And she right thanks her employers for giving her the opportunity to work past retirement age.
Somerset Care’s Debbie Thacker, overall winner of the Home Care Worker UK award, is a great ambassador for home care.
She has had a dynamic and ever-changing role with her employers and is a real inspiration to many home care workers in Britain.
Mohammed Mirzael, winner of the Home Care Worker London Award, found his true vocation when he switched from being a chef to home care.
Well known for his loud and infectious laughter and bubbly personality, he has earned admiration and respect from his colleagues at Sevacare and is hugely popular among his service users.
The good work done by Somerset Care’s Initial Response Team saw it receive the UKHCA Dignity in Home Care Award.
The team provide domiciliary care to people across south Somerset. Hospital avoidance and palliative care are just two of its daily tasks.
Kent-based Beech Tree Total Care Ltd clinched one of the top prizes – the Home Care Business of the Year Award.
It is renowned for its culture of care with service users receiving their chosen assistance from highly motivated and happy staff.
I could go on and on…
All the award-winners – indeed all the finalists deserve a mention (the winners are listed at the end of this blog).
As a journalist, I have been to many award ceremonies – and have received national accolades over the years.
However, I can honestly say that the Ceretas ceremony was the best event of its kind I have ever been to.
Congratulations to the organisers and all those who received their awards with such dignity. The event should be a must next year for the BBC and others in the national media.
Award winners
Home Care Worker North East – Margaret Hughes, Gateshead Council; Home Care Worker North West – Vanessa Lowe, Home Instead Senior Care; Home Care Worker London – Mohammed Mirzael, Sevacare; Home Care Worker South East – Gwen Sharpin, Meritum Independent Living; Home Care Worker South West – Debbie Thacker, Somerset Care (winner of overall award); Home Care Worker Midlands – Maureen Evans, Radis Group; Home Care Worker Wales – Sonya O’Connell, Bridgend County Council; Home Care Newcomer – Becky Crayston, Housing 21; Home Care Co-ordinator – Donna Stacey, Careforce Group; Home Care Worker of a Specialist Service – Allan Salles, Sweet Tree Home Care Services; Registered Home Care Manager – Kim Philpott – Brighton and Hove City Council; Home Care Trainer – Amanda Pettitt, Active Assistance; Home Care Innovator – Suzanne Chapman – Goldsborough Home; Home Care Manager – Mary Fardon – Housing 21; IT Innovator – Chris Haynes, London Borough of Havering; UKHCA Dignity in Care – Somerset Care Initial Response Team; Home Care Business of the Year – Beech Tree Total Care Ltd; Social Care Personality of the Year – Julie Jones, Chief Executive, Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE).
Paul Roberts
www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk
Roberts Consultants, specialists in developing care businesses
June 9th, 2009 at 7:04 am
The award evening was indeed an uplifting event. Gwen from Meritum Independent Living was my particular favourite, starting her NVQ in Care at the age of 76. I run DoCare in Gloucestershire and hope that one day we will also have someone starting an NVQ in their 70s (or even 80s!). Thank you Ceretas for putting on the event, it brought a lot of smiles to many deserving care workers.
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