Last week, Lisieux Trust was delighted to have two staff members, Head of Operations, Alison O’Meara, and Media and Communications Officer, Andy Thorley, represent us as judges for the Best Newcomer Award at the Great British Care Awards for the West Midlands Region.

Operating on a virtual platform, Alison and Andy spent a day listening to stories from nominees across the Midlands, filled with inspirational and heartwarming tales. Their task of selecting the best was certainly no easy feat, as the exceptional quality of entrants left them awestruck. Andy summed it up, stating: “It was a truly inspiring day with so many wonderful stories that it was tough to pick a winner. Honestly, they could have all won. In fact, we can only express our thanks to all of them for the job they do every day, they were all extraordinary, and we regret that we couldn’t send them all through to the final.”

The winner they selected and the highly commended individual will now advance to the regional finals, to be held at Birmingham’s prestigious ICC in early November.

The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional events throughout the UK, celebrating excellence across the care sector. The purpose of these awards is to pay tribute to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work.

There are twenty-one award categories available for nomination, representing all areas of the social care sector, whether it be in services for older people or specialist services, residential or home care. This encompasses frontline staff such as care workers and care managers, as well as those who have made significant impacts through training and innovation.