Over 200 carers from across Staffordshire have been honoured at a major celebration.
Now in its twelfth year, the Dignity in Care Awards, held by Staffordshire County Council, recognises the importance of people working in or delivering care and highlights the opportunities available to everyone working in the adult social care sector.
Carers working in paid and unpaid roles across the care sector were joined by family and friends to celebrate the winners of nine categories, recognising those who put dignity and respect at the heart of everything they do.
Tinga Umera, from Nexus Care Services, was the winner of the Registered Manager Dignity Champion Award following his nomination which judges said showed outstanding leadership that sets a new standard for dignity and excellence in home care.
On receiving his award, he said: “I am in a room full of superheroes; the stories I’ve heard tonight have been so inspirational. You are only as good as your team, and I wouldn’t be here without the amazing people in my team at Nexus Care; they are absolutely outstanding. I am humbled, thank you.”
Hema Mungaroo won the Long Service Dignity Champion category after the judges recognised more than 20 years of outstanding work supporting older people. Hema, who runs Havenly Adult Day Centre in Heath Hayes, said, “It’s a really nice feeling to be recognised for what we do, especially in day care. The best bit is allowing people to live at home, particularly people who are on a dementia journey, and still enjoy their life with dignity because of the support we give. I feel blessed to be able to do this job.”
Martin Rogerson, Cabinet Member for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, said: “I am truly inspired by the people I’ve met at the awards. Their kindness, patience and innovation to help care and empower some of the most vulnerable people in our society is amazing, and this event recognizes the truly invaluable work they do. Congratulations everyone!
“But the event is about more than celebrating excellence. It also shines a light on the huge variety of roles and opportunities across social care, from supporting people on the front line to management and specialist careers. I hope the inspiring stories of our award winners encourage more people to consider a rewarding career in care.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about working in adult social care can go to the Staffordshire Social Care Academy website.
Other winners and runners up included:
- Amy Jones (winner - Independence at Home) and Caroline Morris (highly commended - Bradwell Hall Nursing Home) in the Clinical Role Dignity Champion category.
- Danielle Pearce (winner - Home Instead Cannock and Burntwood) and Amy Clowes (highly commended - Bradwell Hall Nursing Home) in the Palliative Care/ End of Life Dignity Champion category
- Karen Hurmson as winner and Sarah Kaul as highly commended in the Unpaid Carer Dignity Champion category
- Tinga Umera (winner - Nexus Care Services) and Tiegan Norris (highly commended - Visiting Angels in Cannock) in the Registered Manager Dignity Champion category
- The team at Saltbank Court in Stafford by Voyage Care (winners) and Woodview Care Home in Bradwell, Newcastle- under-Lyme (highly commended) in the Care Team Dignity Champion category
- Philippa Turnock (winner - Hawthorn House in Lichfield) and Alex Andrei (highly commended - Abbeywell Court Nursing Home in the Care Home Dignity Champion category
- Jonathon Veitch (winner - Home Instead in Cannock and Burntwood) in the Community Service Dignity Champion category.
- Hema Mungroo (winner – Havenly Adult Day Care Centre) and Janet Beech (highly commended - Trentham House Care Home) in the Long Service Dignity Champion category.
- Joseph Birkin (winner – Independence at Home) in the Newcomer to Care Dignity Champion category.
The awards evening was hosted by BBC Midlands Today presenter Rebecca Harper and took place at the County Showground in Stafford on Thursday 24 September. Awards were presented by special guests including Jan Burns MBE, CEO of The National Dignity Council, Suzanne Petrie from Skills for Care, Dr. Richard Harling, Director for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council and cabinet member for health and care, Martin Rogerson.
The awards were sponsored by Medequip and OM Interactive.
