Former dignity champion urges others to nominate

A former Staffordshire Dignity in Care award winner is now urging others to nominate for this year’s awards.

Alison Norris from Home Instead, based in Cannock, won the registered manager award at last year’s awards. The 55-year-old from Cannock was recognised for her work in domiciliary home care.

Alison has been working in social care for over 35 years and knows the importance of putting dignity at the heart of everything they do.

Alison now wants people to nominate carers and said: “I’ve been working in the sector for many years now and when I was nominated for the Staffordshire Dignity in Care Awards, I felt truly humbled.

“As anyone who works in social care knows, we do this role, not for the recognition, but because we truly care about people.  

“So, for someone to recognise my contribution, it was such a thoughtful and unexpected privilege.  Being nominated and invited to the ceremony was an award in itself.

“The organisers had put on such a memorable event and clearly had taken a lot of time and effort to recognise everyone who attended.

“I was very honoured to receive my award, not only for myself but also for the amazing Home Instead team that I am very fortunate to work with.  Everyone who works in social care deserves to be recognised, and to nominate or be nominated is a step in the right direction to identify excellence within the caring roles that we perform.”

Now in their tenth year, the Staffordshire Dignity in Care Awards, in partnership with Staffordshire University, will once again recognise the best of the county’s care sector. 

Anyone working in adult care, paid or unpaid, along with care providers, can be nominated in one of the nine different award categories.  

New for this year is the Dignity in Care Mental Health Champion, which will recognise the impact mental health practitioners have in the county.  A second new award, chosen by key sponsor Staffordshire University, will celebrate commitment to learning in the care sector.

Richard Harling, director of Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council said: “The care sector is a vital part of society and our awards are a great way of celebrating the importance of having dignity in care.

“Alison did really well last year to win her award and it’s great that she’s now urging other people to make a nomination. 

“There are thousands of great carers right across Staffordshire and we’re keen to show our appreciation and thank them for what they do. If you know a great carer then please get them nominated for a Staffordshire Dignity in Care award.” 

Mike Phillips, executive dean of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences at Staffordshire University said: “Dignity in care is an essential part of our teaching and learning at Staffordshire University. It’s the part that patients and their loved ones remember for years to come.

“We know that many people who start out as informal carers for friends and family members go on to train for work in the care sector and it’s that commitment to learning that we’re looking to celebrate at the Dignity in Care awards.”

Nominating someone for an award is quick and easy and can be done online at Nomination 2024. 

People who need help completing a nomination can speak to the team at dignity@staffordshire.gov.uk or by calling 01785 355 795.  The deadline for nominations is 28 April 2024.