Achievements celebrated at champion awards

CARERS from across the North West and Midlands have been celebrated at the annual Belong Champion Awards as the dementia specialist recognised the outstanding achievements of its teams in their everyday work supporting older people to live an active and fulfilling later life.

Colleagues at Belong’s care villages, and their corresponding home care service, Belong at Home, picked up their trophies at the dazzling ceremony, hosted at Peckforton Castle, and attended by teams from across Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire.

With more than 300 nominations from across the not-for-profit organisation, the winners in 10 categories were determined by an independent judging panel, Dementia UK, the National Care Forum, Skills for Care, The Bluecoat, Ready

Generations and Total People, as well as Belong customers, who conducted a series of interviews as part of the rigorous assessment process.

Belong chief executive Martin Rix said: “We’ve had a fantastic evening celebrating our colleagues’ hard work and success. Congratulations to all of our finalists and winners.”

Winners: Newcomer – Siobhan Coleman, receptionist, Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme and Harry Crawford, IT support engineer, Central Services; Mentor – Laura Rideout, senior support worker, Belong Atherton; Leader – Andrew Shield, business manager, Belong at Home; Team – Belong at Home Wigan; Compassion – Trulea Greensmith, salon manager, Belong Crewe; Innovation –Kathryn Pimblett, host, Belong Wigan; Belinda Jones dementia champion – Stacey Wright, lead senior support worker, Belong Crewe; End-of-life care – Jemma Sharratt, lead nurse, Belong Atherton; Central services – property team; Community engagement – experience day team, Belong Crewe.