Independent Care Group is Registered in England. Company Registration Number 4433126. Registered Office 10 North Park Road, Harrogate , HG1 5PG.

Great North Care Awards 2009

ICG congratulates all those winners and all those who were nominated and shortlisted for the Great North Care Awards 2009 by their employers. The standard of entry was extremely high and each and every one is a great credit to the care sector.

More than 700 people attended the biggest celebration of social care ever held in the North of England. Our second Great North Care Awards celebration was held at the National Railway Museum on Friday 13th November and was hosted by the ICG. It was ‘a truly wonderful and rewarding evening’ and ‘an excellent showcase for the social care sector.’

At the sparkling gala dinner people who work in social care - and who make a positive impact in people’s lives but never normally get recognition were celebrated in great style.

The event was organised to showcase excellence in the care sector - so often neglected in the media. More than 360 entries were received for 18 categories of award and more than 80 people were shortlisted. Both care workers and voluntary carers were celebrated. The comperes for the evening were Harry Gration of BBC Look North and comedian Hardip Singh Kohli.

The event was made possible by a partnership between the ICG, North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council, Skills for Care and NHS North Yorkshire and York and by our many great sponsors - in particular HET Software.

ICG Chair Mike Padgham says ‘We have been truly heartened by the success of the evening. The standard of entry was extremely high showing the enormous amount of dedication in the sector - people who go the extra mile caring for vulnerable people in a variety of settings every day of the year - including care homes and in people’s own homes’.

Mike Padgham spoke of the importance of social care. He said ‘Social care is a network involving people in the public, private and voluntary sectors. We believe that there needs to be co-operation and mutual respect across that network and that is why these awards are inclusive to everyone involved in social care. We all work together to make sure that the person who needs care and support gets the care they need and all those short-listed tonight play a vital role in providing that support.’

Guests included representatives from the Department of Health and local Councillors, David Behan, Director General of Social Care was unable to attend but sent a message saying, said: ‘The Great North Care Awards are a recognition of the very best care and are a real cause for celebration. Many people in our society now need care and support and as our society ages, the number of people aged over 85 will double by 2026. More of us will need care and support in the future. We must, therefore work tirelessly to ensure care is of the highest quality. Where we find quality we must celebrate it and share it.’

The evening raised over £1000 for charity.

Our special thanks to Lisa Carr and her team for all their hard work.

The winners of the Great North Care Awards 2009 were:

• Care Employer Award winner Farina Taube of Caremark, Leeds
  • Care Home Worker Award winner Christina Dobson of Henshaws College, Yorkshire
  • Home Care Worker Award winner Susan McGowan of Continued Care from Oakville, Harrogate
  • Care Home Registered Manager Award winner Yvonne Clark of Westwood Care Home, Selby
  • Care Newcomer Award winner Stephanie Bate of Beaumont Stamford Bridge Care Home (Barchester Healthcare)
  • Home Care Registered Manager Award winner Alison Lockyer of North Yorkshire County Council
  • Home Care Worker of a Specialist Service winner Jane Childs of Allied Healthcare
  • Care Home Nutrition Award winner Andrew Watmuff of Champion House, West Yorkshire
  • Dignity in Care Award winner Jo Warnes of the Mental Health Service Improvement Group, Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Dementia Carer Award winner Denise Raper of the Alzheimer’s Society, Scarborough
  • Care Team Award winners Thompson Court, Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Care Home Activity Organiser Award winner Tracy Howlett of East Riding of Yorkshire Council
  • Ancillary Worker Award winner Sylivia Wilson of Woodlands Resource and Respite Centre
  • The Putting People First Award winners the Doncaster Council Personalisation Team
  • Care Trainer Award winner Yvonne Tomlinson of Domus Healthcare Group, Hull
  • Care Innovator Award winner Debbie Von Malachowski of Wilf Ward Family Trust, Pickering
  • The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award winner Caroline Keaskin of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

  To see many more photos - which can be purchased - go to: the Care Awards photos website