Hosted by Sheffield City Council’s Adult Health and Social Care team, the awards ceremony highlighted the dedication of some of the city’s most skilled and dedicated carers.
Sheffield has around 11,000 unpaid carers and around 7,000 young carers and anyone who contributes to social care support in Sheffield could be nominated for an award. They could be paid or unpaid, managers, office staff, domestic staff, caretakers, chefs working in the care sector, occupational therapists and nurses working in care, social workers, activity coordinators or volunteers from the voluntary sector who offer social care support, social care personal assistants and individual employers.
The ceremony was an event that sparkled, led by compere Big Ian Donaghy, a renowned keynote speaker, writer, and host known for his storytelling, humour, and insights on various topics, including dementia care, learning disabilities, communication skills, and motivation.
After the ceremony, the celebrations continued, led by a disco from ‘Under the Stars’, a Sheffield based arts and events charity that runs performing arts workshops, nightclubs and events for adults with learning disabilities and/or or autism.
“Many congratulations to our winners tonight. These awards were a great way to celebrate those nominated, tonight’s winners and everyone in the city who is dedicated to giving the best possible standard of care to someone who relies on their support, skill and expertise.
"It was inspiring to hear about what they do for others at the ceremony, and it reminded all of us how essential their role is every day all over the city. We are so grateful for the huge difference they make to so many people’s lives.
"There are many people in our local communities who are potential award winners, and we hope that this year’s awards will be the first of many. We’re aware of Sheffield’s bigger picture and working to recruit many more carers because we need so many more now and in the future. We launched the Sheffield Carers Academy in October which is already having a positive impact on carers.
“We have 17,500 people in social care roles here and with people living longer, we forecast that we will need 23% more jobs in this sector by 2035. We’re focussing on not only recruiting more care professionals but making sure that we show how much we value those who work for us. They provide invaluable care to individuals and families, and they have a huge, positive impact on our city. That’s why this work that we’re doing it so important.”
Councillor Angela Argenzio, Chair of the Adult Health and Social Care Committee at Sheffield City Council
The winners of last night’s Care Excellence awards were:
Lucy Bridden - CE Award - Support Roles
Rabab Al-Azzani – CE Award, Personal Assistant
Tanya Chichekova – CE Award, Homecare
Lisa Holland, CE Award, Supported Living
Sharmistha Bal, CE Award, Voluntary Sector
Kathryn Rawling, CE Award, Residential and Nursing
Helen Baston, CE Award, Nursing Roles
Mathew Booth, CE Award, Unpaid Carer
Rebecca Cutts, CE Award, Occupational Therapist
Paula and Steve McIllroy-Wright, CE Award, Shared Lives
Paul Chetwood, CE Award, Social Work
Andreaa Munteanu, Dignity Award
Juma Mohammed, Newcomer Award
Amber Raynes, Personalised Award
Kim Morley, Lifetime Award
Bridget Berwick, SSCH Award
B DC Young Carer Award, Primary Age
Anniyah Ishtiaq, Young Carer Award, Secondary Age
Delano Redhead, Young Carer Award, Young Adult
Claire Harding, Helen Thompson, Jackie Broadhead, Leigh-Ann Tasker, Patience Amos, Louise O’Leary, Sofie McNally, Dave Broadhead, Mandy Bond, Claire Pearson - Team Award
The awards event was sponsored by Sheffield Hallam University, Tomato Energy, The University of Sheffield and Community Youth Services.
All nominations were carefully considered by an independent panel of decision-makers made up of individuals who receive care and support and of people who have a wider interest in the social care sector in the UK.