Hereford Times Health & Social Care Awards – The results


Hosted by Dr Hilary Jones, star of Good Morning Britain, the Hereford Times H&SC Awards were broadcast live from the news provider’s Facebook site on Thursday night. Despite not being able to hold the usual glitzy ceremony this year, they pulled off a star studded event with appearances from celebrities such as Beverley Knight, Mr Motivator and Rebecca Addlington and little bit of TV magic allowed for fun winner reveals where they acted out surprise and delight like absent Brit award winners.

The awards received over 250 entries in the 12 categories; the award categories were Health Care Team, Care Hero, Care Home Worker, Domiciliary Care Worker, Good Nurse, Care Trainer, Child and Adolescent Health, Dementia Carer, Palliative/End of Life, Mental Health, Health Care Employer, GP Practice of the Year.

The judges whittled the 250 entries down to 3 finalists per category and SIL were delighted to take all 3 spots in the Domiciliary Care Worker award.  SIL Support Workers Sam Gawler, Alice Wynn and Ruth Davies went head to head with Ruth winning on the night.  Ruth was also nominated in 2018 when the awards first started.  The Judges admired her dedication to her service users even when off shift; Ruths nomination spoke off an abandoned Valentines date with her husband, perseverance to get problems solved, and ensuring SU has the most independent life possible.

The full nominations can be read here

SIL was also nominated in the Healthcare Employer category.  Our nomination spoke of how employees are valued, involved and developed; from pay increases, upgraded office environment, quality and range of training (moved online due to C-19), welfare visits and phone calls, gifts at Christmas and Easter as well as individual birthday cards and the extra care taken in light of Covid.

Bespoke homecare provider, Katherine Harriet were winners of this award. CEO Euan Mc Pherson commented “we were delighted to be nominated and have the recognition that staff do feel valued and happy to work for SIL, this is more important than any award”.

Our final exciting news from the evening came from Euan himself.  Euan, alongside Paul Stevens, Deputy Mayor Hereford, were described as two like minded individuals; having both experienced mental ill health they came together to launch Hereford Mens Mental Health (HMMH), a monthly social group for Men who suffer from mental ill health or were at risk of becoming ill in October 2019.  Having been announced as finalists in the Mental Health Care category, Euan albeit thrilled to have been nominated was doubtful of a win down to the calibre of the competition.  He commented on the tremendous impact both The CartShed and James Baker at Hereford Make were making….but, win they did!  Not only that, they won ‘best in show’- the Outstanding Contribution Award to Health and Social care as judged by event sponsors University of Worcester.

Elizabeth Davies-Ward, Head of University’s school of Allied Health & Community announced the winner saying “Never has it been more important to recognise the work of those in the sector, than now, and we are all truly grateful for that contribution.  Choosing a winner was a significant challenge, all of the nominations were high calibre, high quality and all worthy of an award”.

HMMH’s nomination described the group as being a lifeline, providing hope and a glimpse of light in the darkness.  The group has made such an impact in such a short space of time sometimes helping in situations with suicidal men.

Services For Independent Living are enthusiastic about the Hereford Times Health and Social Care Awards, because they provide recognition for the selfless staff quietly going about some of the most vital work in our community.

The social care sector is facing huge challenges, especially in the current situation. Being a carer today is a tough job, and the awards aim to provide vital motivation to ensure staff feel valued.

Throughout the darkest days of the crisis the love and dedication of carers has shone through and that’s why the Hereford Times saw the record number of entries this year, because people realised how important it is to recognise the exceptional work done by an exceptional group of people.

Regardless of who won the awards this year and every year, all those who work in this sector are winners in their own right.  They are CareHeroes!

Finalists in the Hereford Times Health & Social Care Awards

Services for Independent Living are celebrating more successes this week.  After our run down of our internal awards last week we are delighted to be able to share our achievements on the bigger stage; the Hereford Times Health & Social Care Awards 2020.

From the 250 nominations, 33 finalists and 12 categories; SIL have 5 finalists in 3 categories!

Support Workers Alice Wynn, Sam Gawler and Ruth Davies were nominated for the Domiciliary Care Worker Award and took all three of the finalist positions.  Yes, that’s right, all the finalists in this category are from our team.   We are guaranteed a winner on Thursday 22nd October when the award winners will be announced on a Facebook live awards night.  The nominations speak of their passion and dedication to their job and the people they work with…

HMMH, Hereford Mens Mental Health group is a finalist in the Mental Health Care Award.  HMMH has close links with SIL as it was co-created by our CEO, Euan McPherson , along with Paul Stevens, Hereford Deputy Mayor.  They joined forces in 2019 to set up the peer group where men could come together and socialise with others in a safe environment, amongst people with similar issues.  The group has had a huge impact in this time of increased loneliness and isolation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and for men struggling with mental health illnesses.

SIL continues to support and promote HMMH and mental health awareness which is why are pleased to be up against such tough competition; The cart shed and James Baker at Hereford Make, regardless of whoever wins this award,  Mental Health and support in Herefordshire is winning.

Don’t forget HMMH meet every second Monday each Month and have an active WhatsApp group. Euan.McPherson@s4il.co.uk or 07432 019404 and you can find out more here.

Last but not least we are very pleased to say that SIL is a finalist in the Healthcare Employer category.

“SIL provide a wonderful working environment for their staff.  Employees are valued, involved and developed.” From pay increases, new staff sick pay and a new office to birthday cards, Christmas hampers and welfare visits, our nominations highlight why they think SIL is a great employer.

We recognise that a business is nothing without the great team behind it and believe that each individual should be valued and looked after.  Fingers crossed but with the strong competition from Katherine Harriet and Kemble at home we’re just pleased that someone thinks were doing something right.


The full list of nominations can be viewed here

The Hereford Times Health & Social Care awards takes place on the Hereford Times Facebook page. Going live at 7pm with Dr Hilary Jones and a host of other celebrity faces the winners will be announced with some ty magic.

Last Year’s winner of the outstanding achievement award was our very own, Support Worker, Gary Meddings.  He tells us why the awards are so valuable; “Like the many other people in this line of work I very much enjoy my job. Before becoming a support worker I had no idea how making a difference to someone’s life could give such an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction, it’s such a rewarding job to do. Having recognition for the work we do makes a massive difference, it’s a great motivator”.

Services For Independent Living are enthusiastic about the Hereford Times Health and Social Care Awards, because they provide recognition for the selfless staff quietly going about some of the most vital work in our community.

The social care sector is facing huge challenges, especially in the current situation. Being a carer today is a tough job, and the awards aim to provide vital motivation to ensure staff feel valued.

Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Our Annual Awards Winners


At our AGM in October each year we also hold our prestigious Care Awards presentation.  These awards, nominations for which are from our Service Users and Team Leaders, are presented to members of our team to recognise the fabulous work they do.

First up is the Judy Phillips Memorial Award, awarded to the Support Worker of the Year and nominated by Team Leaders

Nominations are made for the person who shows positive regard for all; commitment & flexibility; accepting and supporting differences; warmth, humour & sensitivity; ability to listen and let the service user lead and a willingness to go the extra mile…

And the winner is …… Everyone

Team Leaders felt that Everyone deserved to be recognised this year.  Covid-19 has had a phenomenal effect on the world and the bravery, respect, compassion and diligence displayed by all our Support Workers in the face of the pandemic was applaudable.  Each of them ensured our Service Users were safe, protected and happy.  They stepped up to the title of key worker and kept going out day on day when the rest of us were told to stay at home.

Well done and thank you to all SIL’s support workers

Secondly is the winner of the Ian Jones Award, this is also to recognise the Support Worker of the Year but is nominated by Service Users.

This award is given for enabling services users to achieve personal objectives by encouraging and motivating others; increasing service user confidence and working in partnership with others…

And the winner is….Elaine Parry.  Our runner up is Anna Johnstone.

SU Lindsey nominated Elaine Parry and wrote “she makes me feel like I can achieve anything do with my loom knitting and any other hobbies I find to do. Elaine rings around the energy suppliers to get the best deals. She helped me to get the right glasses for me and also explained to the technical advisor regarding my last pair of glasses…”

Fantastic Elaine; congratulations to you and Anna.

Anna was extremely supportive in helping SU June to get a new dog.  She was “kind and sensitive when the time came to get a new puppy as she knew the puppy would be replacing my long-term companions Emma and Kirsty… she was also very patient in helping the puppy settle in.”

Up next is in our Awards success series is the Independent Living at Home Team of the Year Award– nominated by Service Users.

The Team of the year award is given to the team which demonstrates these principles: working well together; support each other; good sense of humour; share tasks; talk through issues; accepting and supporting differences and a willingness to go the extra mile…

And the winner is … Sheila’s Team. Our runner up David’s Team.

Sheila said “I just want to say a great big thank you to my Team for all their help in moving house to a new town at a difficult time. They helped me to collect furniture and bits for my new flat in their own time. They worked with the Housing Team, Social Worker and OTs to get things sorted. On moving day they shifted my things from Hereford to Leominster. Thanks to Donna, Marilyn, Lisa, Naomi and Chels for supporting me through a difficult time.”

Well done team – absolutely worthy winners.

But we mustn’t ignore our fantastic runners up – David’s team, who he says “are always happy and kind, they work well using their different skills” and have been helping him a lot through the night with his bad leg.

We have two more award winners to announce, so our penultimate offering is the Adam Cove, Team Leader of the Year Award nominated by Service Users.

This award is given for the Team Leader who has: outstanding vision; dedication and commitment to excellence…

And the winner is Donna Tranter.  Our runner up is Katie Loughran.

Donna was nominated by P who not only compliments Donna on her happy and positive persona but also her communication skills and solution focus.  Donna was also nominated by Sheila as the driving force behind her house move and personal support.

Huge congratulations Donna.  What a star Team Leader.

Katie’s nominations came from June and David; they said “she is a very good listener and is quick to follow up actions, she makes light of tricky situations, is very approachable and I feel comfortable to contact her anytime” and “she listens and communicates with my team, she understands the different skills each SW give to the team and she works well with everyone”.

Well done Katie, looks like you are excelling in this new role!

And last but not least is our new award, Homecare Support Worker of the Year nominated by Service Users.  The Homecare Team joined us just over a year ago and have been an excellent addition to the team allowing SIL to offer a bigger range of care services.  We are now able to offer care at home across Herefordshire from 30mins to 24 hour, 7 days a week care.

We received 6 nominations (25% of the team) for this award which is presented to the support worker who shows positive regard for all; commitment & flexibility; accepting and supporting differences; warmth, humour & sensitivity; ability to listen and let the service user lead and a willingness to go the extra mile…

These are just a few snippets from the comments received in the nominations

“I admire their care, commitment, and cheerfulness”, “Helped me to regain my confidence” and  “She supports and encourages me both physically and mentally and my life is enriched by her care and friendship”

And the winner is… Chloe Howells.  Our runner up is Rebecca Guerin.

Hooray and three cheers ladies.  Congratulations!

That completes our awards round up from our internal awards, thanks for joining us and we hope you’ve enjoyed our series. It hasn’t been just about blowing our own trumpet but celebrating the care sector and the fabulous work carried out by people in an widely undervalued profession.

Congratulations to all our winners, runners up, nominees and thank you to everyone of our team who goes the extra mile, makes someone happy and and has tackled this year with bravery and enthusiasm.  You are GREAT.

If you would like to know more about our care at home services click here

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