It was recently my privilege to once again attend the annual Lincolnshire Care Awards, the third year of this ceremony, which acknowledges the immensely valuable work done across our county by all those who work in this environment.
This Lincolnshire Care Association well-supported evening celebrated and recognised the sector’s hard work and commitment.
All too often we hear of disturbing cases in residential care homes where serious mistakes occur, but we hear too little of the excellent quality of the majority. These hard-working (and underpaid in my view) care workers carry out their day-to-day tasks with good humour and kindliness, and we all owe them our gratitude.
The nominations for awards came from across Lincolnshire (from Gainsborough to Long Sutton) and ranged from Community Care, Training, Teamwork and Leadership and more. I was happy once more to be part of the judging team (though with no input into anything local.)
It is excellent news that two Spalding nominations were successful. Southfield House in Wygate (part of the Order of St John Trust) won the Apetito Healthy Nutrition Award. The five-strong kitchen team were delighted, and it is undeniable that good food, well presented and healthy, is a vital element in the well-being and happiness of the residents.
The second winner was Gaynor Jones, who works at Cedar House. Gaynor received the Lincolnshire Rising Star Award in recognition of her amazing work at this Spalding home. Well done indeed.
In my view all those nominated were winners, and I cannot tell you how humbled I was to hear so many interviewees say that they loved their work, that the residents felt like family. Some had been doing this very hard work for many years, but others were newcomers to the caring profession. It is work that many of us would be unable or unwilling to do, but we are fortunate that there are carers who truly care, and who make a genuine difference to the lives of those they look after.
Thank you to them all.
Coun Christine Lawton
Spalding
gh
