More than 40 of Plymouth’s most dedicated and enthusiastic adult social care workers and teams were celebrated at an awards ceremony on Saturday 23 March.
The Celebrating Excellence in Care Awards, organised by Plymouth City Council, were held for the first time since 2019. The event aims to honour and recognise brilliant care workers including those working in care homes, supported living provision, day centres and domiciliary care (supporting people to remain living in their own homes).
People across Plymouth were invited to nominate a member or staff or team in categories such as Care Worker of the Year, Excellence in Dementia Care and Care Home Activity Coordinator of the Year. More than 300 nominations were received and reviewed by an independent panel of judges who chose the winners.
Gary Walbridge, Interim Strategic Director for People, said: “Care matters - our adult social care workers are invaluable, supporting people to live independently for as long as possible and caring for adults who need extra support with dignity and respect.
“The Awards are a brilliant opportunity for the whole city to thank these amazing staff. Huge congratulations to our highly deserving winners and well done to everyone who was nominated. We were blown away by the sheer volume of nominations which just goes to show how much brilliant work is going on every single day across Plymouth.”
The full list of awards and winners is:
- Innovative partnership working and engagement: Margot Whittaker, Southern Healthcare
- Commitment to workforce development: Gemma Parnell and Katie Spring, Alpha Care Southwest
- Excellence in Dementia Care: Bev Wilson, Prestige Nursing and Lorna Smith, Parkwood House
- Excellence in End of Life Care: Hamilton House Team
- Excellence in Learning Disability Care: Doreen Kelly, Beyond Limits Plymouth
- Innovation in Technology: Gemma Parnell and Katie Spring, Alpha Care Southwest
- Ancillary Worker of the Year: Kim Cook, Merafield View Nursing Home
- Care Home Activity Coordinator of the Year: Kerry Haughey, Parkwood House and Jo Smith, Two Trees
- Rising Star Award: Katie Sara, Prestige Nursing
- Contribution to Care Award: Donna Annetts, Merafield View Nursing Home and Mandy Fenn, Astor Hall
- Contribution to Care Award (Highly Commended): Jackie Lamey and Lindsey Davies, Sunnymeade
- Promoting Independence Champion: Julie Makarewicz, Prestige Nursing
- Care Home Worker of the Year: Charlotte Bruce, Douglas House; Gabby Sas, Meadowside and St Francis; Catherine Britton, Merafield View Nursing Home
- Care Home Worker of the Year (Highly Commended): Jade Witt, Two Trees
- Community Care Worker of the Year: Tracey Philimore, Prestige Nursing and Mark Jones, Your Choice Care and Support
- Community Care Worker of the Year (Highly Commended): Susan Hall, Collingswood Care; Stephanie Marshall, @Plymouth Care; Stacey Parker, Collingswood Care
- Culinary Care Team: Butterfly Lodge and Hamilton House
- Service User Involvement Award: Colebrook Southwest
- Nurse of the Year: Catherine Bond, Meadowside and St Francis
- Care Home Deputy of the Year: Emma Paterson, Merafield View Nursing Home
- Care Home Deputy of the Year (Highly Commended): Sarah McCaffery, Butterfly Lodge
- Community Deputy of the Year: Lauren Moore, J and C Healthcare
- Care Home Team of the Year: Underhill Residential Home and Chatsworth House
- Care Home Team of the Year (Highly Commended): Butterfly Lodge and Waters Park
- Community Team of the Year: Alpha Care
- Care Home Manager of the Year: Claire Sinclaire, Butterfly Lodge
- Community Manager of the Year: James Bowley-Farleigh, J and C Healthcare
- Community Manager of the Year (Highly Commended): Louisa Jane, Alpha Care
- Service User Story Award: Tamar House Care Home, Astor Hall and Sunnymeade
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Maria Golden, Drake Nursing Home
- People’s Choice Award – Care Homes: Jane Wyatt, Meadowside and St Francis
- People’s Choice Award – Care Homes (Highly Commended): Ruby, the pet therapy dog at Parkwood House
- People’s Choice Award – Community: Jane Wong, Sheltered House
- People’s Choice Award – Community (Highly Commended): Stacey Bradbury, Marama Care.
The awards support the work of Caring Plymouth, a new city-wide health and social care partnership, which is working to tackle staff recruitment and retention in adult social care. The partnership not only wants to encourage more people to work in the sector, but support and celebrate those already doing so.
If you’re interested in working in adult social care, find out more at www.plymouth.gov.uk/workincare.