Wigan home carers win award for ‘making wishes come true’

Community support workers in Wigan have been commended for exceeding the duties of their job, picking up The Above & Beyond Community Team accolade at this year’s Stars of Social Care – Home Care Awards.
Belong at Home received the worthy distinction for their efforts in supporting older people to continue to embrace everything life has to offer by helping them have fun, life enhancing experiences that provide meaningful occupation and the opportunity to meet new people.
After collecting their trophy from ITV This Morning presenter, Josie Gibson, the team were praised by the London ceremony’s panel of judges, who summarised: "This team go above and beyond to promote independence and wellbeing with the people they support. They have an innovative approach to making wishes come true, from arranging dance shows and making ice cream sundaes! They have a culture of kindness for both each other and the people who draw on services, with one customer describing them as, 'guardian angels'”.
Operating from the Millers Lane care village, the not-for-profit domiciliary service serves both its onsite independent living apartment tenants, as well as the wider community in and around Wigan. Whilst typical tasks include personal care, domestic chores and assisting with medication and appointments, carers are empowered to offer companionship through facilitating activities and the chance to make new friends. For example, earlier this year, the thoughtful team arranged for customers to enjoy the talents of young dancers by inviting a local arts academy to perform.
Sophie Walls, area manager at Belong at Home Wigan, said: “This award is a fantastic way to say ‘thank you and well done’ to our amazing support workers. They truly are the most devoted people, who genuinely love what they do for a living.
“For us, it’s not just about providing care; we help our customers do things they want to – everything from shopping trips and visits to the theatre, home baking and crafts, arranging village entertainers or going to watch the Wigan Warriors. We’re thrilled with this achievement and can’t wait to share it with our customers.”
The win is the latest in a string of successes for the dementia specialist as it continues to recruit to its teams. Last year, community support worker, Sharon Haigh, was crowned Home Care Worker for the North West at the Great British Care Awards. Belong at Home was also named in the national top 20 large and mid-size home care groups, as judged by Homecare.co.uk reviews, and the Wigan service holds a Care Quality Commission (CQC) outstanding rating for the ‘Caring’ measure.
Pictured: Belong at Home Wigan's Debra Moore, Lead Senior Support Worker (left) and Sophie Walls, Area Manager (right), are presented with their team's award by This Morning's Josie Gibson