Hard work recognised

Over 230 people working for Caremark Redcar and Cleveland have seen their hard work recognised by the customers they support.
A record number of carers received nominations from our customers and they were presented with a certificate and special pin badge at our annual carer of the year awards.
Given the number of staff nominated, the awards took place over four days in Redcar, Guisborough and Brotton.
Each member of staff had their nomination read out to them and all the nominations, were then used to determine the overall winners in the three main areas we cover – East Cleveland, Guisborough/Middlesbrough, and Redcar. There was also an award recognising staff who support people in four supported housing schemes which we are contracted to supply care for.
Special prizes, including long service awards, were also presented.
The Supported Housing Scheme Carer of the Year Award went to Ifeatu Okoye, who was nominated by her Area Managers Emma Crane and Linda Teasdale, who said: “Ifeatu is so engaging with her clients and enjoys seeing them active and as independent as possible. She is so motivating to other staff who are on shift with her also.”
The Guisborough/Middlesbrough Carer of the Year Award was won jointly by Kerry-Anne Silk-Reeves and Amy Christon
One of the people who nominated Kerry-Anne said: “Kerry-Anne is a ray of sunshine and is very supportive around my mental health and varying moods. If I didn’t have her, I wouldn’t know where I would be now.”
One of the people who nominated Amy said: “I really like Amy, and she is very good to me. She takes me where I want to go in the community, and she always goes above and beyond for me.”
The Redcar Carer of the Year Award went to Michelle Burr, with one of the people who nominated her saying: “I am blessed with all of your carers, but Michelle is far and above the best. She is 1st class with her work, and she cheers me up.”
The East Cleveland Carer of the Year Award went to Tracy Hutchinson, with one of the people who nominated her saying: “Tracy is always there to listen to me, and she knows how to cheer me up when I am feeling down in the dumps. It is like she has done the job forever.”
The winners all received a trophy, certificate, flowers, and an awards badge for winning their awards.
Caremark Redcar and Cleveland Care Manager Danielle Laverick said: “The awards were based on solely on the comments made by the people who matter the most, our customers, and this is what makes them so special.
“We also realise that not every customer choose, or was in a position, to make a nomination so many more our carers did not receive an award, but every single member of staff who works for Caremark Redcar and Cleveland is deserving and in our eyes they are all winners.”