A team of Manchester supported housing stars have been named social care Covid heroes at the Great British Care Awards.
Support workers Wayne McDonald and James McMahon and service manager Isaac Diallo received the award on behalf of charity Making Space’s Manchester housing team at a ceremony hosted by actor and comedian Steve Ward. The team supports tenants at a number of housing schemes across Gorton, Longsight, Ardwich, Blackley and Stretford
The audience at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel heard how judges selected the team for “going above and beyond during the pandemic, reaching far and wide to ensure people remained connected and supported in the face of great fear, loss and alienation.”
“Their efforts should be remembered and celebrated, and are more than deserving of this award,” they said.
The team took home the award for the north west region, and will now go forward to the national GBCA finals in Birmingham in March.
Making Space’s Manchester South team – which also includes support workers Ruth Shield, Magdalena Pirog and Joanne Mckeown – works with tenants in supported housing schemes at Church View in Gorton, Bates Street in Longsight, Stansby Gardens in Ardwick, Rochdale Road in Blackley, and Ryebank Road in Trafford.
All the schemes are operated by adult health and social care charity Making Space. During the height of the pandemic, the support workers across the different schemes came together to ensure no tenant became isolated.
Service manager Isaac Diallo said: “This award is dedicated to our service users who have been very resilient and brave in the face of Covid 19.”
Phil Orton, chief people officer, Making Space, said: “When regulations were constantly changing, the teams who make up the services in Manchester South consistently adapted to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of their tenants.
“We have 40 tenants spread across a wide area, and Isaac and the support workers made it their priority to ensure that every single one of them received the support they needed. During a time of great upheaval, this wasn’t an easy task, but it was one they rose to admirably.
“And, as the judges pointed out, even though many of the difficulties caused by the pandemic are behind us, these efforts deserve to be celebrated as an example of the lengths dedicated professionals will go to ensure the people they support get the care they need.”
The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional events throughout the UK and are a celebration of excellence across the care sector. They pay tribute to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work, from frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training and innovation.
