Awards

The winners of the Surrey Care Awards 2011 were announced at a gala ceremony held at Epsom Downs Racecourse on Friday 18 November.

Organised by Surrey Care Association, the Surrey Care Awards are the county’s ‘Oscars’ for care workers. The Awards recognise the hard work and dedication of people working in a wide variety of jobs in adult social care.

Over 300 local care practitioners attended the high profile Awards ceremony. The Awards were presented by TV personality and founder of the Orpheus Centre Richard Stilgoe OBE who delighted the audience with one of his own very funny poems about care homes. The guest of honour was the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Surrey Corinna, Lady Hamilton of Dalzell and Master of Ceremonies for the evening was BBC Surrey presenter Sylvie Blackmore.

The 50 finalists for the Awards had all been nominated by their colleagues, with glowing and often moving testimonials from service users and their families.  The 15 Winners were judged in award categories including Volunteer of the Year; Beyond the Call of Duty; Care Newcomer and Outstanding Contribution to Social Care. There were two special Awards recognising long service and commitment.

Erica Lockhart, Chief Executive of Surrey Care Association, which represents the interests of over 700 care providers in the county said:

 “This is our third year of the Surrey Care Awards and the response from care staff has been truly overwhelming. This year we had more nominations than before and it was an exceptionally difficult task to choose the winners. Care workers are so often the unsung heroes and we want to change that by recognising their achievements. These Awards are helping raise the profile of adult social care in Surrey and highlight the rewarding employment opportunities that exist within the sector. We are especially grateful to all the generous sponsors of the event without whom the Surrey Care Awards would not be possible.”

The Winners!

A Full House                                            The Chef's Suprise

All Photgraphs from the evening can be viewed via the link below (click on "Your Event" and register) and copies can be purchased.

http://www.markintimephotography.co.uk/

The Winners of the Surrey Care Awards 2011 are:

Ancillary Worker of the Year Award sponsored by Spectrum and 3663: Winner Sandro Marino, Whiteley Village, Walton on Thames

Housekeeping manager Sandro takes particular pride in working with residents to personalise their rooms and make them as homely as possible. Whatever the challenge is, he sorts it out to the benefit of the residents.

Beyond the Call of Duty - Care At Home Award sponsored by Bluefin Insurance:  Winner Connie Adams, Longdene Homecare, Goldalming

After raising a serious Safeguarding alert on behalf of a couple of clients, Connie acted quickly to protect their bank accounts from further fraudulent use and helped support the clients through the trauma of subsequent police investigations and taking the abuser to court. 

Beyond the Call of Duty Care Home Award sponsored by PHS Allclear:  Winner Dawn Grant, Queen Elizabeth Foundation Brain Injury Centre, Banstead.

Dawn has the ability to involve clients in activities that they would not otherwise have had access to. During the adverse weather last winter Dawn stayed over night at the centre to help with reduced staffing levels.

Beyond the Call of Duty Learning Disability Award sponsored by Downing Care Homes: Winner Gayathri Porambage, Ranmore House,  Banstead.

Senior care worker Gayathri encourages profoundly autistic residents to share her creative skills, gently teaching and guiding them and instilling pride in their achievements. This has incalculable therapeutic value, alleviating distress and enhancing their lives.

Care Newcomer of the Year Award sponsored by National Skills Academy: Winner Rosanna Stevens, Ashcroft Support for Living, Horley

Rosanna has a natural aptitude for working with people, always thinking of ways to improve interactions with service users, overcome problems and challenges and make a real difference.

Chairman’s Special Award:  Winner Pat Beswick, Meath Epilepsy Trust, Godalming

Pat’s boundless enthusiasm and energy is contagious, she regularly takes residents carriage driving, horse riding and swimming or even on holiday, and organises group outings to increase community presence and participation.

Dementia Care Team of the Year Award sponsored by Healthcall Optical: Winner BUPA St George’s, Cobham

Glowing testimonials from relatives state that St George’s sets the standard for best practice in Alzheimers care. The patients are treated with utmost respect and understanding, enabling them to maintain their personality and dignity right to the end.

Excellence in Workforce Development Award sponsored by Ashcroft: Winner the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy, Lingfield

Investors in People said that this team had an impressive range of provision and training and had a development policy that represents best practice, is thorough and incorporates the latest thinking.

Manager of the Year Care At Home sponsored by Care Choices: Winner Kerry Edwards, The Orpheus Centre, Godstone.

Kerry has lead the Orpheus Centre through some very challenging times recently ranging from safeguarding issues through to a major building project. Her first thought has always been to focus on what the students need to further their independence.

Most Innovative Activity Programme - Individual Award sponsored by Paying For Care:  Winner Sue Lee, The Grange, Bookham

Basic skills tutor Sue saw the need for a co-ordinated approach to give all clients, staff and volunteers a basic knowledge of Makaton and is helping The Grange become Makaton Centre of Excellence.

Most Innovative Activity Programme - Team Award sponsored by Paying For Care: Winner The  Art House Team, Meath Epilepsy Trust, Godalming

Service users work alongside professional artists to create and produce unique quality products for sale at trade and retail level. Many of them have been surprised at the level of their own talent and what they can achieve.

Nursing Team of the Year Award sponsored by Danfloor: Winner Broome Park Nursing Home, Betchworth

Led by excellent managers the team works seamlessly, professionally and tirelessly together with the result that staff turnover is very low and the home is always fully booked. 

Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award sponsored by Lloyds TSB: Winner Merlyn Leacock, Broome Park Nursing Home, Betchworth

Merlyn has been nursing people with mental health needs for over 43 years. She is a force of nature who supplies love, dedication and skill in equal measure to the direct benefit of all the residents.

Volunteer of the Year Award sponsored by Downs Solicitors LLP: Winner Sally Jones, Cedar Court Nursing Home, Cranleigh

As an activities volunteer Sally’s interest in the residents always seems to come first and her level of enthusiasm for helping others is endless. Her Glee club, life histories and brain training groups are warmly praised.

Volunteer Special Recognition Award sponsored by Downs Solicitors LLP:  Winner Arthur Mitchell, Whiteley Village, Walton on Thames

A volunteer for over 14 years, Arthur makes a real difference to the lives of residents as he really enjoys taking the time to talk to them and is always willing to lend a helping hand to staff too!