A support worker is in the running for a national care award in recognition of her work with carers across West Cheshire.
Yvonne Johnson, from Warrington, has been shortlisted in the Care and Support Worker category of the Housing With Care Awards. The national awards are being held for the first time this year to recognise and celebrate excellence in supported and extra care housing.
The Care and Support Worker award recognises the significant role they play in consistently providing a high standard of care. Evidence of dedication, awareness of colleagues and career development through training will be important elements for the judges in deciding who takes home the trophy.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the London Marriott Hotel on Grosvenor Square on 9th June.
“My delight in being nominated for this award is to bring to attention to and acknowledge the hard work of the ‘forgotten carers’,” says Yvonne. “The aging generation of parents and carers whose commitment to their loved ones is the truest meaning of unconditional love.”
Yvonne joined Making Space, the national adult health and social care charity which runs support services in West Cheshire, in 2018. She specialises in supporting older people (aged between 65 to 92) who care for their adult children with learning disabilities and autism.
Yvonne was nominated for the award by Cath Magee, the regional head of operations for Making Space in Cheshire. Cath says Yvonne is passionate about supporting the older carers she works with, many of whom are frail and have their own long-term health problems.
“Yvonne sees it as a privilege to be welcomed into their homes. She knows the struggles and hardships many of them have endured over decades, caring for their children who are now adults. They tell her of their relationship difficulties, financial hardships, social isolation and how their whole life plan changed when they realised their child had additional needs.
“She knows that if it wasn’t for these carers, many of the adults they care for would not be living at home, where they want to be. Yet these are the same people who neglect themselves when it comes to regular health checks and attending planned hospital appointments.
“Yvonne makes regular welfare visits and calls, supports with appointments, provides a steady flow of information and advice and helps carers to be more connected with activities and people in their communities.
“She is determined that these carers feel valued and are recognised, and we think Yvonne should be valued and recognised too.”
https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/23559095.cheshire-west-carer-support-worker-running-national-award/
