"Providing support to our service users to live their very best lives is at the heart of everything we do. These award successes are evidence of the dedication and commitment of our staff."
Colin Welding, Regional Manager at Pathways Care
Norma Jewitt who works at Harmony House in Hebburn scooped the top award, being given the Care Home Worker Award. Harmony House is registered to provide accommodation for younger adults with mental health needs and older adults who live with dementia or a learning disability. Her citation stated that: “Norma was inspirational. Her innovative approach to get ‘what she wants’ for her residents shone through. Her vision for meeting outcomes for people demonstrated to the judges her passion and vision for success.”
Norma had previously received the Care Home Worker Award in the North East finals of the Great British Care Awards
David Grayson and Eric McLeod were also nominated for the excellence of the care and support they deliver, but narrowly missed out on the national accolades.
David, who was nominated for the Home Care Registered Manager Award, manages East Farm Children’s Home in Consett. He too had won the North East regional award, when the judges were impressed with his ‘passion and inspirational leadership’, which was ‘illustrated through examples of children’s success stories accessing education and achieving GCSEs after years of exclusion from education.’ It was noted that ‘David has taken his service, which supports service users with emotional and behavioural difficulties, from inadequate six years ago to outstanding.’
Eric McLeod was nominated as Care Home/Chef of the year. He works at Fairholme in South Shields, which provides care and support for up to 22 adults who have enduring mental health problems. The service consists of 17 individual rooms and four single flats. His nomination noted that Eric clearly articulates an inclusive and imaginative approach to his catering. An experienced chef, he has been responsive to resident’s needs, bringing more to the table than just food by encouraging, stimulating and enticing residents to be involved in their dining experience.’
On her win, Norma said: “I can’t believe it! It’s so fantastic to receive this award. But for me, it’s all about the people I care for. I love my job and the people. And of course, it’s a tribute to the work of the whole team at Harmony House.”
Colin Welding, Regional Manager at Pathways Care said: “Norma, David and Eric have done us all proud.
“Providing support to our service users to live their very best lives is at the heart of everything we do. These award successes are evidence of the dedication and commitment of our staff.”
