Posted on Friday 19th July 2024
Dignity in Care winners
Tegan Abley from Rugeley is celebrating after being crowned as Newcomer to Care at this year’s Staffordshire Dignity in Care Awards.
Tegan was one of seventeen carers and care organisations from across the county who received an award, at the event held at the Staffordshire County Show Ground on Wednesday 17 July. Winners were joined by family members, community groups and care organisations.
The Staffordshire County Council awards, now in their tenth year, recognise care services and individuals who ensure people in care are treated with dignity and respect.
Tegan, who started her care career last year at the age of 17, won the Newcomer to Care award. She was nominated by a family member and was recognised for her maturity and her passion for caring with dignity.
Rebecca Redfern from Woodview Care Home scooped the Registered Manager Dignity Champion award. Talking about her award, Rebecca said:
“It’s about working alongside a team and I’ve got an absolutely phenomenal team, I’ve got a great bunch of directors that I work for and it’s just doing what you love doing, it’s just caring for people.
I wasn’t expecting it, the job is a really hard job and I think absolutely every registered manager deserves acknowledgment for their job, so to win it is really special."
Peta Mandelburg from Home Instead in Cannock and Burton was highly commended in the Registered Manager Dignity Champion category.
Zoe O’Donnell from Home Instead scooped a new award, Commitment to Learning, while Sarah Treager from Executive Care in Lichfield earned highly commended.
A Special Recognition award was given to Carol Pickard from Cherishers in Rugeley, who was recognised for 45 years of service in the care sector.
Cllr Jeremy Pert, Cabinet Member for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, who presented some of the awards, said:
“I was delighted to meet and present these amazing people with their awards at what was our tenth anniversary celebration.
Carers do a truly wonderful job and it’s important we recognise the vital work they do. Working in care can be an extremely rewarding profession with lots of different types of jobs available. There are also lots of opportunities to gain qualifications and progress a career in the sector.
I would like to pass on my congratulations to all the winners and runners-up and to everyone who puts dignity at the centre of everything they do.”
Mike Phillips, Executive Dean of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences at Staffordshire University said:
“The contribution that carers make in our society and to the lives of the people they look after should never be underestimated. We’re delighted to have sponsored these awards which shine a spotlight on some incredibly deserving people.”
Other winners included Karen Taylor-Dawes from Ash Tree House, part of Care in Burton-on-Trent, who won the Care Home Champion award. Jackie Gee from Davlyn House was highly commended.
The Specialist - Mental Health Dignity Champion Award went to Jane Brown from the Personalisation Social Inclusion Team with Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT). Sarah Jones from Community Carer at Executive Care in Lichfield was highly commended.
The Community Award for maintaining dignity by ensuring that people are active members of their local community went to Wendy Regan. Kayleigh Jones from Executive Care in Lichfield was highly commended.
The Palliative – End of Life Dignity Champion Award went to both Tracey Booth and Judy Barrett from Community Care Professional, while both Teresa Moore and Janet Beech were highly commended.
The Unpaid Carer Award went to Vicki Sandells for outstanding care, with Sharon Downward being highly commended.
Awards were presented by special guests including Jan Burns MBE The National Dignity Council Chair, and Jennie Round and Professor Sarahjane Jones from Staffordshire University. Shirly Way from Skills for Care and Heather Johnstone, Chief Nursing and Therapies Officer for the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) also presented awards.
Special thanks also went to key partner of the event, Staffordshire University, Centre for Health Innovation.