With the Great British Care Awards quickly approaching next week we are so pleased and proud to announce we are up for 7 nominations! It gives us great joy to share this with everyone, below are all 7 nominations along with how all nominees have deservingly met the criteria to be put up for these amazing awards. We would like to celebrate the 5 individuals below, keep an eye on our social media pages for an opportunity to congratulate the nominees.
Laura Thorpe: The Care Newcomer Award
Ware so pleased to announce Laura is nominated for this category. The criteria for this award included areas to meet such as being able to show a good understanding of the role they now have, be aware of a range of choices users of services may have and be able to explain what is meant by good practice in their chosen role are just a select few to mention.
Before joining Premier Community, Laura’s career took a significant turn from being a long-distance lorry driver, a role she dedicated 16 years of her life to, complemented by her passion for horse riding during her leisure time.
The transition into the care sector, inspired by a family member’s encouragement, was a leap filled with uncertainty about her fit in this new realm. However, the summer of 2023 marked the beginning of what would become a remarkable journey for Laura in the care industry.
Initially stepping into her role with a blend of nervousness and curiosity, Laura quickly dispelled any doubts about her suitability through her natural flair for caregiving. Her journey over the year was nothing short of inspiring.
Laura’s adaptability and genuine compassion not only boosted her confidence but also solidified her position as a pivotal member of the Premier Community team. Her dedication was recognised through an impressive tally of 23 company recognitions.
These accolades included being honoured as the Star of the Week twice, receiving six compliments from colleagues for her outstanding contributions, and, notably, winning the prestigious Care Assistant of the Year 2023 award.
Laura’s colleagues consistently highlight her exceptional qualities, ranging from her boundless kindness and support to her infectious positivity and readiness to tackle emergencies. Her approach to work, characterized by a profound passion and a “work mom” persona, has made her a cornerstone of support and advice for many within the team.
Laura’s story is a testament to the impact of embracing new challenges with an open heart and mind. Premier Community celebrates Laura for not just her achievements but for the profound difference she continues to make in the lives of those she cares for.
Joelene Neal: The Home Care Worker Award
This award recognises the significant role of the Home Care Worker in consistently providing a high-quality standard, for people living in their own homes. Evidence of dedication, awareness of colleagues and career development through training will be important elements for the judges.
Jolene Neal has been a cherished member of our community for nearly 8 years. She is a dedicated full-time team member who is admired, praised, and valued by all who know her. Her colleagues seek her guidance and support, and her managers rely on her for advice regarding service users and scheduling. Jolene’s exceptional care has earned recognition, with 24 company compliments in the past 6 months and three “Start of the Week” titles.
Her commitment to helping others is evident, as one colleague expressed, “I don’t get to work with her much now, but she is always there offering any help she can.” Another colleague remarked, “She should get a bonus due to the amount of time she spends helping out other colleagues in her own time.” Jolene’s dedication is consistently praised, as her registered manager noted, “It never ceases to amaze me, her dedication.”
When it comes to Jolene’s levels of care, only exceptional will do. In Jolene’s own words, ‘My job’s not done until I can leave a property with them smiling and feeling cared for, whatever it takes!’ This is something Servicer users tell us over and over. Whenever the quality team calls a Service user in Jolene’s patch, we hear all about this amazing care team and specifically, Jolene.
Lyndsey Callaghan: The Home Care Coordinator
We are delighted to share that two members of our team are up for The Home Care Coordinator Award this year! This award will be given to the Home Care Coordinator who can demonstrate to the judges their knowledge and skill in utilising their care team in an effective and efficient way. This Person will demonstrate vision in motivating and supporting staff whilst ensuring the clients remain at the heart of the service.
Lyndsey Callaghan, a dedicated Care Coordinator for our Heanor Care Team, has been an invaluable part of Premier Community for five years. Starting as a carer, she transitioned into her leadership role as a care coordinator, where her compassionate and relatable leadership style, influenced by extensive field experience, has significantly contributed to the growth and success of her care team.
Under Lyndsey’s guidance, her team has excelled and expanded in both capability and size. A member of Lyndsey’s team has recently said, “I Have worked with Lyndsey since she started with Premier. She has always been a good ear to listen, tries to be as fair as possible as a care-co, and will try and help her team as best she can”
Lyndsey brings a sense of calm professionalism to the team of Care Coordinators. She easily tackles every situation and ensures that those around her can thrive. Her strong work ethic and preference for working behind the scenes to get things done without seeking the limelight truly set her apart.
Lyndsey would be the first to say she misses care delivery, but she takes enormous pride in supporting a whole area of Service users by ensuring her team is well run and built on Premier Community foundations.
Kadie Warren: The Home Care Coordinator
Also, in this category we have Kadie Warren. Kadie had previously worked as a carer in our teams but left to pursue a management role before she rejoined Premier Community in 2023 as a Care Coordinator.
Kadie is responsible for the staff and care delivered in Chesterfield and Dronfield. Previous care coordinators have found these two teams challenging to manage due to the high passion of the care staff. Since joining, Kadie has led and harnessed this team to ensure the service meets the needs of those receiving the care, her team now feel empowered with a huge respect for Kadie. One key team member from the area recently told me this “Kind, Approachable, Determined, Involved, Empathy. Her name says it all. She has worked wonders on the Dronfield team and has gained our respect. Brilliant manager”
Kadie is incredibly dedicated to providing person-centred care, and her exceptional communication skills make her an inspiring role model for everyone around her. Even when faced with challenges, she remains a calming presence throughout the Care Co-ordinator Team.
She offers guidance and unwavering support with humility. Her impact is not limited to her colleagues and the families of service users; it is also felt across the wider Premier Community. Kadie’s journey is a testament to her commitment to continual improvement, as evidenced by her decision to pursue a transformative level 5 program.
Sabrina Bennet: The Home Care Registered Manager Award
It gives us immense pride to announce that Sabrina Bennet is up for The Home Care Registered Manager award. The criteria might be large to meet for this award however it was no challenge for Sabrina to exhibit all key areas some including demonstrating a commitment to dignity and privacy for clients, demonstrate their commitment to good practice in person centred care and support and show how they keep up to date with the latest information are just a few to mention.
Sabrina, a remarkable individual, has had an incredible journey within Premier Community. She started as a carer and advanced to the role of care coordinator before attaining the position of registered manager.
Her transformative leadership style has led to a significant turnaround at her branch, enhancing both her internal team and the field team and elevating the quality of care for the service users.
Sabrina’s unwavering dedication to the needs of her service users is truly commendable. In a recent challenging situation involving changes in the funding system, she displayed remarkable perseverance, working alongside a social worker to ensure that her service users-maintained access to crucial care packages.
Survey results unequivocally demonstrate the immense satisfaction of the staff under her leadership and reflect the positive work culture she has fostered. Furthermore, Sabrina’s exceptional performance in a recent external audit, achieving good results across all areas, is a testament to her hard work and commitment. As she diligently pursues her Level 5 qualification, it is evident that Sabrina’s efforts continually uphold the highest standards of care and leadership.
