The 12 ‘Characters of Care’ were developed by staff, for staff and represent the many ways we put our values in to action every day so that we are able to deliver outstanding care.
Each month, up to 50 nominees who best demonstrate one of the characters are given a reward and once a year we recognise ten exceptional people for special recognition. We’re delighted to be able to announce our Characters of Care award winners for 2022!
The top 10 benefit from bespoke career development opportunities and are currently working with our Learning & Development team to choose their well-deserved rewards.
Jenny Gibson, HR Director said: “We spent some time organising a judging panel and then reading through all the amazing peer group nominations for Characters of Care. Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a colleague, we loved reading all the nominations and hearing about the great individual and team work that happens in our services.”
Our 2022 Characters of Care Winners
Denna McDonald, Senior Support Worker, Trinity House – Overall Winner
Character of Care: Flexibility
Denna ensured a resident’s dreams came true by planning a birthday surprise for him to visit his home town and do an activity he had been wishing for – watching the ferries come in and go out of port. Small to some, but massive to him. Denna did all the planning in her own time and came in early on his birthday to surprise him with this!
Denna lives in Lockerbie. She’s worked at Cygnet for three years and says she loves her job because: “I enjoy that no two days are the same, as well as seeing how well the residents are coming along with reaching their goals.”
Reacting to news she’s our overall Character of Care winner for 2022, Denna said: “I’m absolutely over the moon, I still can’t believe it!”
Kerry Matthews, Human Resources Business Partner, Cygnet Hospital Bierley
Character of Care: Flexibility
Kerry is the HR Business Partner for the Yorkshire Region. When asked to support Cygnet Hospital Bierley, Kerry based herself there for four days per week and spent time away from her family overnight and long days to support the site. Kerry did this with a passion to support the staff and service users.
Kerry’s favourite thing about her job is: “The team I work with and the services I support.” On winning a Character of Care prize she says: “It’s great to know someone appreciated and recognised me and made the referral.”
Matthew McKee, Support Worker, Gables
Character of Care: Resilience
Matthew faced a challenge with transport when supporting a resident to return back home after completing their hospital appointment as the home mini bus was unavailable due to other commitments. The taxi was incompatible for the resident. The resident was getting agitated waiting. Matthew pushed the resident’s wheelchair for 1.5 miles, returning them home safely.
Matthew has worked at Cygnet since 2009. He says: “I love everything, all aspects of my job, taking out residents in meaningful activities, support residents in enhancing their quality of life and seeing smiles on their faces.
“I was shocked to receive the phone call about winning a Character of Care. I am over the moon to win.”
Georgia Tomlinson, Acting Team Leader, Outwood
Character of Care: Hard Work
Georgia goes above and beyond for our residents, often taking the job home with her. She’s a dab hand on the sewing machine and will take up residents’ clothing so that they have a better fit. To top it all off she’s and all-rounder, with a caring and positive attitude towards everyone that she works with and supports.
Laura has worked at Outwood for five years and lives in Leeds. She says: “During my time at Outwood I’ve loved seeing the progression that residents have made. When I found out I had been nominated I felt a little bit overwhelmed that my work had been recognised but really happy at the same time.”
Junaid Choudhry, Support Worker, Hawkstone
Character of Care: Hard Work
Junaid promoted a resident who is non verbal and high on the Autistic Spectrum, working with him in a positive manner and able to empower this resident to go into the barbers, which he had never done and get a haircut without any issues or concerns.
Junaid lives in Keighley, West Yorkshire and has worked at Cygnet for 5 years. He says: “My job involves working with people with challenging behaviour and autism. Every individual that I support has a unique personality, preferences and needs.
“My job is providing the best level of care, physical and emotional support to those in care to achieve their goals and becoming more independent by acquiring new skills. This enables them to be involved in society and be part of the community.
“Winning this award for the annual Characters of Care shows that my work is recognised and appreciated.”
Alison King, Hospital Manager, Cygnet St William’s
Stephen Scollard, Service Manager, River View
Character of Care: Resilience
A member of the public came to Cygnet St Williams to inform us that a gentleman was in cardiac arrest down the street. Alison and Stephen dropped everything and rushed to help resuscitate him. They provided CPR and AED defibrillation while waiting for the air ambulance to arrive.
The gentleman survived his cardiac arrest. He brought a card and some chocolates to Cygnet St William’s following his discharge from hospital.
Alison has worked at Cygnet for four years. Her favourite thing about working at Cygnet is “supporting and helping people to improve their health and return to a more independent lifestyle back in the community.”
On winning a Character of Care prize she says: “I was very surprised, however it is lovely to be recognised for doing something good for someone else. As a nurse it is not often we get praise for the things we do.”
Stephen was delighted to have been recognised for helping someone and is pleased that the gentleman has been making a recovery.
James Treacy, Maintenance, Cygnet Sherwood House
Character of Care: Support
A service user was admitted whose parents informed us that he likes to do odd jobs. James took the time to support the service user to help him complete small maintenance tasks which they took great pride in. He was then paid as a therapy job and his incidents decreased. Great job!
James has worked for Cygnet for two and a half years and said: “I really enjoy the maintenance role. It has been a new challenge for me and very different to my previous jobs. I really enjoy the interaction with service users and like to support wherever I can.”
On winning a Character of Care prize he says: “I thought it was brilliant, I was really surprised and very grateful.”
Rose Arney, Health Care Assistant, Tupwood Gate Nursing Home
Character of Care: Hard Work
Rose has worked for Cygnet for more than 30 years. She works tirelessly for the benefit of our residents. She picks up extra shifts and mentors junior and new staff members. I consider her to be the backbone of Tupwood Gate and a true unsung hero.
Rose said: “I was very shocked, but happy that my manager thought that I deserve to be nominated.”
Davina Kempson, Science Teacher, Cygnet Hospital Sheffield
Character of Care: Flexibility
Davina took it upon herself to fill in to prepare young people for their GCSE Maths exam when one of our Maths teachers was unwell. She even watched seminars to teach herself new skills in order to help our students.