A Warrington support worker has been named as a finalist in the Great British Care Awards.
Support worker Nichola Sutton, a member of the team at Harpers Green extra care housing development in Padgate, will find out if she has won at a ceremony at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower hotel on Saturday 9 November 2024.
The Housing With Care award, for which Nichola is in the running, recognises people who deliver the highest quality service to people who need a range of complex care needs.
Judges selected Nichola after hearing how she “found her calling” when she joined Harpers Green, where the care is provided by Warrington-based national health and social care charity Making Space.
The prestigious awards are held annually to pay tribute to outstanding individuals and teams in the care sector.
Elizabeth Kamwithi, registered manager, Harpers Green, said: “Nichola came to us after bringing up her own children and says she’s found her true calling and second family.
“She’s excited to arrive, constantly cheerful and a breath of fresh air. She even comes in on days off to spend time with people and gain their trust.
“Nichola helps tenants with extra care needs and goes out of her way to make sure everyone experiences positive attention and warmth. She has an amazing memory for what people enjoy doing and we frequently hear laughs when Nic’s here. It’s impossible not to feel happy around her.”
This is the second time this year Nichola has been singled out for award recognition for her work. This July, she was named Wellbeing Hero in the annual Making Space Colleague Awards.
However, Nichola says her job doesn’t feel like work and is more like a second home.
“When I go into work it just feels like I’m going to see my other family,” she said.
“For years I was a stay-at-home mum to my three children and I loved it, but this job has made me the person I am today.
“I love the people I work with and look forward to seeing them, going to work makes me feel relaxed and happy. We have so much fun with singalongs and activities. No two days are the same, and I can’t imagine ever doing anything else.”
Mark Storey is the Making Space regional head of operations responsible for Warrington. He said: “At Making Space we live by a set of values, and ‘kind hearts’ is the most important of all.
“It embodies everything that we are and do at Making Space, and Nichola is a shining example of how kind hearts change lives. She thrives on helping others and, as she says, she gets such joy from her job that it doesn’t feel like work at all. This has a positive impact on her colleagues, the people she supports and the whole atmosphere at Harper’s Green.
“We’re delighted that the judges have recognised Nichola’s unique qualities – she thoroughly deserves to be at the ceremony. We wish all the finalists from the care sector the very best of luck and look forward to celebrating with them all on the night.”
Harpers Green extra care housing, on Harpers Road in Padgate, includes 97 one and two-bedroomed apartments, providing state-of-the art independent living for people over the age of 55. It is rated Good by social care watchdog the CQC.
To find out more about renting an apartment with care and support please call 01744 637383 or email [email protected]
