Celebrating success at the 2021 Somerset Care Awards

9 December 2021

Teams from around the business logged on to join the online awards ceremony on Wednesday, which saw individuals from all areas of the business recognised by their colleagues and customers for the outstanding work that they do. Over 500 nominations were received for Somerset Care’s annual awards, demonstrating the many ways that colleagues from across the business – whether in frontline care or office-based support roles – help our customers to live they life they choose.

The awards were introduced by author, consultant geriatrician and Age UK Somerset patron, Dr Lucy Pollock, who praised the difference that Somerset Care’s teams make ‘in the real world’, caring for individuals outside of the hospital setting.

Generously sponsored by some of the organisation’s core suppliers, winners and runners up were announced by Somerset Care CEO, Gary Ridewood.

And the winners are:

Congratulations to all of our winners and runners up, each of whom received a certificate and golden box of goodies to recognise their achievements.

Newcomer of the year – sponsored by Karcher Center Bristol

This award recognises staff who have joined Somerset Care’s services within the last year and have made a big impact in a short space of time; they will have demonstrated a willingness to improve on their knowledge and implement new ideas in a range of settings.

Winner – Kayleigh Brown (Calway House)
Runners up – Cheryl Webber (Head of Community Services) and Rose Turner (Grovelands)

Carer of the year

This award is to recognise a member of staff, from any service, for going above and beyond to provide the best possible service to those in our care.

Winner – Verity Bridger (Somerset Community Team)
Runners up – Nick Pearce (Wiltshire Community Team) and Tracey Fry (Sunningdale Lodge)

Leadership of the year

This award is to acknowledge the contribution of someone who has demonstrated great leadership skills within their team, regardless of their role or position. The focus here is on the leadership qualities an individual possesses.

Winner – Karen Reeves (Field House and Rowden House)
Runner up – Chris Hayes (Croft House)

Wellbeing award – sponsored by Sorce

This award recognises individuals in the care setting and the Support Centre who have embraced positive wellbeing methods to the benefit of themselves and the wider team.

Winner – Jess Henry (Learning & Development)
Runners up – Tom Harris (Cooksons Court)

Learner of the year – sponsored by Altura Learning

This award recognises our staff undertaking training to enhance their knowledge and improve their skills. This person will clearly demonstrate how their learning has made an impact to their workplace and colleagues/customers.

Winner – Abby Palmer (Rowden House)
Runner up – Karen Martin (Wiltshire Community Team) and Rebekah Douglas (Grovelands)

Hidden heroes

This award recognises individuals in the care setting or Support Centre whose roles indirectly impact the services we provide. For example, cleaners, cooks, administrators etc.

Winner – Gillian Dosson (Somerset Community Team)
Runners up – Adam Collier (Support Centre) and Danielle Harrison (Cooksons Court)

Community connection – sponsored by Blueleaf

This award recognises the strong connections built with the wider community that have had a positive impact on all parties involved, including but not limited to local businesses, schools, companies, charities etc.

Winner – Maria Siddal (Wessex House)

Connecting with people

This award recognises individuals in the care setting and the Support Centre who have consistently brought a positive attitude to work and built trusting relationships with those around them.

Winner – Christine Cross (Wiltshire Community Team)
Runners up – Penny Chakrabarti-Adams (My Willows) and Spencer Turnbull (Realise)

Making a difference – sponsored by Regency Purchasing

Winner – Jo Hopkins (Support Centre)
Runners up – Ed Davey (Learning & Development) and Jason Shaw (Property)

Doing the right thing

This award recognises individuals in the care setting and the Support Centre who are great listeners, take responsibility, respects and welcomes the views of others.

Winner – Kelly Vines (Wiltshire Community Team)

Embracing change

This award recognises individuals in the care setting and the Support Centre who have welcomed and adapted to change through creativity and understand where and how to improve.

Winner – Michaela Cooper (Lavender Court)
Runner up – Catherine Alexander (Learning & Development)

Harry Patch award

Named in memory of Haryy Patch MBE, the ‘Last Surviving Tommy’ and long-term resident of Fletcher House, this award recognises an outstanding manager who demonstrates a high level of expertise in managing services to the benefit of residents, service users and staff.

Winner – Di Allen (Residential Area Manager)

People’s choice

The People’s Choice award recognises an individual or team who have made a positive impact and helped to improve a person’s quality of life. They will show passion, dedication and show evidence of how they have worked beyond their job role to make a difference. Nominations for this award are made by customers/residents and their families.

Winners – Ellie Williams, Emma Wilson, Jordan Maloney, Steve Callaghan, Tracy Robins and Vasile Popescu (Realise)
Runners up – Rosie Collins (Somerset Community Team) and Suzie Dobson (Somerset Community Team)

A huge thank you to everyone who nominated, sponsored or supported our 2021 Somerset Care Awards.

Against a backdrop of continuing challenges for the care sector as a whole, it is so important to celebrate success and recognise the incredible achievements of our colleagues.

To find out more about joining our award-winning team, please visit our careers site to view our latest opportunities.