Belong celebrates best of the best in social care

Belong celebrates best of the best in social care

The spirit of compassion and devotion is well and truly thriving as carers at dementia specialist, Belong, scoop accolades at its annual Champion Awards, recognising exceptional performance within its teams who support older people to live an active and fulfilling later life.

Winners from across the organisation’s villages and their corresponding home care service, Belong at Home, collected their trophies to rousing applause from colleagues from across the North West and West Midlands at the iconic Hallé St Peter’s venue in Manchester. Later, they relished the chance to let their hair down and celebrate success with their peers.

The winners of the Belong Champion Awards 2023, are:

Newcomer of the Year – Erin Duffy, support worker, Belong Warrington

Leader of the Year – Dean Pepper, lead senior support worker, Belong Crewe

Mentor of the Year – Caroline Clifton, admiral nurse

Team of the Year – Duke Household team, Belong Crewe

Compassion Award – Samantha Smith, community support worker, Belong at Home Warrington

End-of-Life Care Award – Cedar Household team, Belong Wigan

Made-My-Day Award – Jackie Green, lead hairdresser, Belong Macclesfield

Community Engagement Award – Experience Team, Belong Morris Feinmann

Innovation Award – Jessica Butler, Belong Crewe

Volunteer Award – Cavell Meakin, Belong Crewe

Central Services Award – Lisa Armstrong, recruitment business partner

Belinda Jones Dementia Champion – Jessica Moore, community support worker, Belong at Home Wigan

The winners were determined by a panel of independent judges who interviewed finalists chosen from nominations from customers, relatives and colleagues. All were presented a handmade trophy, designed by Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme customer, Beryl Cadman as part of a creative competition.

Summarising the event, Belong’s chief executive, Martin Rix, said: “It’s been another year of hard work and dedication from our teams and so we’re pleased to give them the recognition they deserve. To all our finalists and winners: thank you and congratulations for making Belong the best place for our customers to live and for our colleagues to work.”

The news follows a year of success, with Belong picking up national accolades at the Great British Care Awards, LaingBuisson Awards, and The Dementia Care Awards, amongst others. Meanwhile, its community home care service, Belong at Home, was crowned first place at Homecare.co.uk’s Top 20 Large and Mid-size Home Care Groups and is the only not-for-profit operator to have placed every year since 2018.