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!

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