Care worker who trekked through the snow wins award

A care worker, who trekked for two hours in the snow to check on an elderly woman, has been named deputy manager of the year at Shaw Healthcare's annual Shaw Star Awards.

Angela Roberts, who works as a domiciliary care co-ordinator in Rhondda and Pontypridd, won Deputy Manager/Team Leader Of The Year at the event.

Last winter, she walked for two hours through the snow to visit an elderly woman, as the woman's regular carer was unable to get there and the woman had no local family or neighbour who could check on her.

She was also recognised for her commitment to overseeing and developing the service in Shaw's largest domiciliary care patch in the UK, which delivers more than 800 hours of community based support each week to vulnerable people in Rhondda Cynon Taff.

Ms Roberts said: "We're so focused day-to-day on caring for people, you don't think about awards or accolades, so to get this came came as a real shock - but a very good one."

"It's fantastic to know that what you do is so valued. Nothing beats getting a thank you from those you care for or their families, but to receive an award like this is the next best thing, so I'd like to thank everyone who made this possible."

Trina Williams, a support worker at Wavereley House care home in Leominster, Herefordshire, was named Carer of the Year.

Ms Williams was recognised for her calm and relaxed approach, which puts residents and staff at ease, and for her “awe-inspiring compassion”.

She was initially nominated by the wife of a resident suffering from Parkison’s and Lewy Bodies Dementia, not just for the excellent care of her husband, but for involving her in activities, making her still feel a valuable part of her husband’s life.

Sue Box, an activity co-ordinator at Abbott House care home in Oundle, Northamptonshire, scooped the Activity Based Care award in recognition for her tireless organisation of trips and entertainment for residents at the home, where she has worked for over 22 years.

She does much of the planning for the activity schedule in her own time and, just last year, took it upon herself to knit 40 Christmas pudding bags for the home’s residents, placing chocolate in each as a gift.

The Home/Brach Manager of the Year award went to Mary Tasker for creating a positive culture and driving high standards of care at the Hawthorns Care Centre in Evesham, Worcestershire.

The award ceremony saw over 200 of Shaw's staff gather at the Hilton Hotel in Swindon to celebrate the very best care workers across it's UK facilities.

Jeremy Nixey, chief executive at Shaw Healthcare, said: "The Shaw Star Awards are all about celebrating the great contribution of our staff, and the hard work and dedication they show on a daily basis to ensure our standards of care are the very best they can be.

"We feel it's important that we acknowledge those that go above and beyond the call of duty."