A community support worker at Belong at Home Warrington has been recognised for her exceptional compassion at the dementia care provider’s annual Champion Awards.
The awards recognise the best of the best amongst its villages and community care teams from across the region.
Laura Cooper won the Compassion Award for going to extraordinary lengths to support customers and ensure continuity of care. The judges commended her professionalism and positivity and ability to make people feel safe and comfortable, referring to one customer who is prone to anxiety and calls Laura an ‘angel on Earth’.
After receiving nominations from customers, relatives and colleagues, a panel of independent judges determined winners from a final shortlist, with the results revealed at an evening gala at The Queen at Chester Hotel. All were presented with a handmade ceramic trophy, designed by Belong customer Alma Worthington as part of a creative competition for the occasion.
Speaking of the event, Belong’s chief executive, Martin Rix, said: “We have many talented colleagues who have chosen to dedicate their professional lives to caring for our customers, with many nominations describing them as being ‘like family’.
“As discussion around the reform of social care continues to gain traction, we are committed to shining a light on both their professionalism and hard work through these awards. We know, first-hand, that it is our ability to invest in our people that is critical to the future of the sector. Our unique ‘village living’ set-up creates a truly special working environment where people can thrive, and our annual Champion Awards serve to congratulate all our colleagues for their success.”
The news follows a year of accomplishments in 2024, with Belong picking up national accolades at the HealthInvestor Seniors Housing Awards, LaingBuission Awards, and the Great British Care Awards. Meanwhile, its community home care service, Belong at Home, was crowned in 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.
The Belong Champion Awards 2024 was made possible thanks to sponsors: Arjo, Citron Hygiene, Litmus, M&D Cleaning, Search, and Triangle PR.
More information about Belong can be found at www.belong.org.uk or by emailing [email protected].
