Care workers, family carers and volunteers across the borough have been recognised for the enormous contribution they make to residents' lives and the community in the 11th annual Dignity in Care Awards.The awards, which took place at Islington Assembly Hall on Monday, 16 September, highlighted the quality of care and support provided to residents by both paid and unpaid carers across the borough, helping those they look after to stay independent for longer and do more of the things they want.
The 2024 award winners were:
Comfort Boadu – Care Worker of the Year
Amy Metcalfe – Unpaid Carer of the Year
Care UK, Forest Healthcare and Whittington Health Trust - Outstanding Team Collaboration
Maximilian Shopay - Shared Lives Carer of the Year
Jeanne Pring - Volunteer of the Year
Sue Beveridge – Special Recognition
Comfort Boadu, who was named Care Worker of the Year, said: "I feel honoured to have been nominated. Being nominated has really made me feel valued, and it has motivated me to want to work harder."
Amy Metcalfe, winner of the Unpaid Carer of the Year award, has spent the last few years looking after her sister, who has complicated mental health issues. She said: “So many carers have made my sister’s life better over the last few years and I’m so grateful to all of them – and quite surprised to be nominated myself.”
She added: “It's easy for me to care for my sister; she's a wonderful human and she is worth it. I know that there are places where caring is not that easy or straightforward and again, I'm so grateful to carers for still doing it and continuing to get up and look after people and make sure they can be a part of community.”
Talking about the care sector and the awards, she said: “This is such an important industry; it papers over all the cracks in NHS and social care and it's literally been the difference between life and death for my sister in the last year. I’m so pleased that they’re being recognised.”
Maximilian Shopay, who won Shared Lives Carer of the Year, welcomed an 18-year-old autistic man into his home a year ago. “At the time, he couldn't even travel by himself,” said Mr Shopay. “I encouraged him to take charge of things that he wants to do by himself as much as possible. Now he goes to do his shopping, he goes travelling by himself, he's looking for jobs – he's going to Tottenham [Hotspur] to apply for a job today. He said, ‘You go to the award, I go to the interview,’ and he's just becoming a young independent lad and I'm very proud of him.”
He said that caring has changed his life, and to “put yourself in service of someone else is so meaningful, so rewarding”. He added: “It's great to be acknowledged, it's great to be nominated, and it's even more amazing to win the award.”
Cllr Flora Williamson, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, said: “We’re working hard to support people to be healthier for longer, so they can live the lives they want and enjoy a higher quality of life. For those with care and support needs, we’re making sure they receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time – and carers are an essential part of that.
“The Dignity in Care Awards shines a light on this often underappreciated yet hugely valuable work that goes on every day in our borough. It’s been a pleasure to read the many lovely nominations from residents, and these awards are an important way of saying a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Islington’s carers. The lengths you all go to each and every day to make Islington a better place for our residents is invaluable.”
The judging panel, which included Islington parent carer Carly Stechman, chose six winners from more than 60 nominations, many of which were made by service users themselves and their families. Attendees to the event were treated to music chosen by artists at Daylight Studio, an Islington-based charity supporting people with learning disabilities.