Winners announced for Leeds Quality in Care Awards 2022

The awards celebrate the excellent work taking place across the Leeds adult care sector. They recognise the individuals and services that have made a real difference over the past year.

Councillor Fiona Venner, executive member for adults and children’s social care and health partnerships, said: “These awards recognise the wonderful achievements that are taking place in adult social care across Leeds. They aim to shine a light on those individuals, organisations and services that really make a difference to people’s lives.

"All our finalists have shown a huge commitment to improving the quality of care provided, demonstrating an innovative and passionate belief in person-centred care and support services. This has been vital during the challenging times of the last few years.”

There were 11 award winners, recognising excellence across the sector.

Social care nurse of the year:

Nicky Lyall - Nicky is a champion for people with learning disabilities and advocates for families and carers in a person-centred approach to her work. She is committed to St. Anne’s and has sought out opportunities to share her skills, working on research with academics and designing training materials to assist others working in the learning disabilities sector. Nicky is a credit to her organisation and nursing as a profession.

Paid care or support worker of the year:

Aliphina Sundire - This award is a testament to the contribution that Aliphina has made to improving the lives of the service users that she has supported over the years. Aliphina is highly thought of by service managers, peers, service users and their families.

Volunteer of the Year:

Kevan Vincent - The judges were impressed with the work Kevan does at Oulton Manor Care Home. He arranges programmes of activities that are meaningful, stimulating, and enjoyable for the residents including quizzes, singalongs, cards and dominoes. Kevan makes a huge contribution to ensuring better lives for the residents. 

Registered Manager of the Year:

Jenny Brown - Jenny is passionate about leadership and management, together with workforce learning and development, and ensures that these combine to provide appropriate person-centred care and support.

Sharon Earnshaw - Sharon’s experience, commitment, drive, and enthusiasm have contributed to Headingley Hall achieving its CQC outstanding rating. Her dedication to the team and philosophy of continuous improvement are key to ensuring person-centred services. She is an ambassador for the sector.

Best Recruitment and Retention initiative:

Greendown Trust (Dyneley House) - The manager has introduced many innovative ideas to support the recruitment and retention of staff, and the staff and residents are clearly benefiting from this approach.

Most innovative approach to supporting independence choice and control:

Catherine Smethurst - Catherine is always looking to support and develop the staff within the Council’s Care Delivery service. She is always striving to innovate and improve.

Most inclusive service provision:

Love in Care - Love in Care ensure that customers, staff and family members are at the heart of everything they do. Managing Director, Aqila Choudhary, spends a lot of time supporting and developing the staff, who never fail to deliver.

Digital innovation to support independence:

Beech Hall Care Home (Anchor) - Beech Hall’s use of digital innovation includes the use of social media to share good practice and ensure loved ones feel involved in the care of their family members.

Outstanding Contribution to Social Care:

Andy Rawnsley - Andy was the CEO of Aspire Community Benefits Society which supports more than 1000 adults with learning disabilities to have better lives through the provision of day opportunities, supported living and respite services. As well as leading a successful organisation, Andy has never lost his passion for providing truly person-centred services and support for people with learning disabilities. He has made an outstanding contribution to social care and is a worthy recipient of this award.

Pam McGown (posthumous award) - Pam worked in the care sector for over thirty years, dedicating her life to supporting others. She worked at Greendown Trust, where she was registered manager of Dyneley House care home. She was committed to providing the best quality care and accommodation for individuals and made a real difference to people’s lives.

Pam sadly passed away recently. The team at Greendown feel privileged to continue working in the loving and family-oriented environment that Pam created