Posted on Thursday 21st July 2022
Dignity in Care Award winners group photo
Hope Williamson is celebrating after scooping the Newcomer to Care Award at the 2022 Staffordshire Dignity in Care Awards.
Hope who works at Horninglow Bungalows in Burton, was one of over twenty winners from across the county receiving their award at the annual event held at Newcastle College of Performing Arts on Wednesday 20 July.
The Care Home Dignity Champion Award was won by Karen Tyer from 114 Douglas Road Care Home in Newcastle and Carol Batchelor from Committed2Care was named as the Community Service Dignity Champion.
Other winners included Ellie Holland from the Donna Louise Hospice who won the Palliative Care/ End of Life Dignity Champion and Barbara Jones from the Seasons Theatre Company, who won the Community Volunteering Dignity Champion Award.
Jean Hollingworth from Grove Court in Newcastle won a special recognition award, celebrating her achievements over 32 years working in health & social care.
The awards, organised by Staffordshire County Council, recognise care services and individuals who make sure that people in care are treated with dignity and respect.
Julia Jessel, Cabinet Member for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council presented some of the awards and said:
“This is always a fantastic event and it was great to meet so many amazing carers and care companies.
“It’s vital that we celebrate and recognise the great work being done in the care sector across Staffordshire and our annual awards help us do that. It was also great to see such a mix of winners, from those exceptional informal carers to those working in larger established care providers.
“I’d like to say a huge congratulations to all the winners, those highly commended and all those nominated for an award. They should be very proud of what they have achieved.”
Hope Williamson said:
"All my life I have grown up surrounded by family working in care. My nan and mum were particularly encouraging for me to join the profession and often told me, "You would absolutely love it!" But I never thought it would be for me. However, after working at the bungalows for just over a year, I truly fell in love with the job and the newfound passion I shared closely with my mum and nan.
“It was an absolute honour to have won the award alongside so many amazing carers who go above and beyond for the people they support!"
After winning the award for Care Team Champion, Trish Jones from Every Sensation Care who run Oaklea House said:
“I think It’s really important to recognise the work that carers do. It’s really hard work in this sector and we’ve been through a lot, especially over the last couple of years.
“Winning the award gives us a massive lift to get that recognition and a pat on the back goes a long way. I’d like to say thank you to Staffordshire County Council because they are one of the few local authorities that host these types of awards and I think that in itself, helps give some acknowledgement to allow the sector an opportunity to have this day once a year.”
Barbara Jones from Cannock is artistic director with Seasons Theatre Company and said:
“Winning the award was a real privilege. We definitely weren’t expecting to win but it was a great feeling. All the volunteers love what they do and when you see the difference it makes to the people we work with, it’s really rewarding.”
Dr Richard Harling (MBE), Director of Health & Care at Staffordshire County Council, opened and closed the awards ceremony and also presented the Social Care Covid Hero Award to both Suzanne Mills at Shenstone Hall Residential Home and the team at Davlyn House Care Home.
Sheila McMahon, local Author, Psychotherapist and Professional Entertainer hosted this year’s event. Special thanks went to the event sponsors: Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, Cream Health and Social Care, Belong, Aquarate, Yourmeds, Alton Towers, The Retreat, Dorothy Clive Garden Centre, The Access Group, Stoke City Football Club, Greggs, Buyagift, Foxfield Railway, Obsession Salon & Spa and Embark Learning.