Care workers in Holmfirth are celebrating after being shortlisted in the York and Humberside Great British Care Awards, with finalists in two categories.
The team behind Huddersfield Road Supported Living, a tenancy service for young adults, and their manager Tony Linney are in the running to take home the prestigious trophies. They’ll find out if they’ve won at an awards ceremony at The Armouries in Leeds on 2 November.
Team leader Tony, bank senior support worker Sara Howarth, support workers Michael Mclaren and Menka Ojogun, and bank support workers Holly Turner and Aishat Akinde are all finalists in the Supported Living Care Team category. Tony is also in with a chance of winning the Frontline Leaders award. Nominations for both were submitted by Sajeed Daji, manager at Making Space – the national health and social care charity which manages the Huddersfield Road service.
“The team are inspired by Tony, who’s been a lifelong advocate for young people,” Sajeed said. “Under his positive guidance, they use their own personal experiences and individual skills to help Huddersfield Road tenants learn everything they need to live independently and safely, whether that’s getting fit, learning to cook, finding a job or even becoming mentors themselves.
“The brilliant outcomes they achieve every day are testament to their endless enthusiasm.”
Tony, a former police officer from Netherton, has been recognised for the strong, positive relationships he builds with the young people he works with and using his experience and knowledge to stand up for their rights.
This is the second time Tony has been singled out for awards praise this year – in June, he was a finalist in the Frontline Leader category of the national Housing With Care Awards.
“I’d like to thank Sajeed for nominating me again and recognising my work over the last year,” said Tony. “I have a good, strong team around me, so it’s great that they’ve also been recognised for their endeavours. Fingers crossed that we bring home a trophy!”
Shane Parnell is the associate director of operations at Making Space. He said of the awards: “It’s so important to celebrate the successes of all the hardworking teams within the care sector. Just being nominated means that someone has noticed how our colleagues go above and beyond every day to achieve the charity’s vision to put wellbeing at the heart of health and social care.
“This is something that should be celebrated, regardless of who takes home a trophy. But it goes without saying that we’re all rooting for Tony and his team in the finals – it really is a great honour.
“Whatever the outcome, we’re all immensely proud of the team at Huddersfield Road and wish all of the finalists across our sector the best of luck on the night.”
