Bucks celebrates dignity and respect
The winning award for the community category being collected on behalf of Mary Mitchell by Terry Price, who nominated her
The team from the Weston Project collecting the winning award in the health category from Valerie Letheren
A Buckinghamshire woman who works hard to prevent loneliness amongst older people in Marlow was one of three winners at Buckinghamshire County Council’s Dignity and Respect Awards at Aylesbury’s Oculus buildingon Friday 15 April.
Mary Mitchell scooped the Community prize, despite not being able to attend due to illness. Mary runs a Tai Chi class that brings people in the town together, as well as helping MacMillan Cancer Nurses.
In the Health category, The Wendover-based Weston Project won for helping reduce hospital admissions by a third through keeping more people in their own homes, whilst Graham Judge won the Social Care category for coaching the Epilepsy Society’s boccia team in Chalfont.
Around 150 people attended the event, which is held annually by the County Council’s Quality in Care Team to showcase best practice in the health and social care sectors. Guest speakers included Sue Burn from regulators the Care Quality Commission, three final year degree students from Bucks New University who gave their reasons for choosing a career in social care, and Richard Corbett from consumer champions Healthwatch.
Vice Chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council Valerie Letheren, who was invited to chair the event, said: “As a County Council, we strive both to ensure that dignity and respect underpin our own work, andare part of the wider agenda in Buckinghamshire.
“I’m glad we can also hold these awards to showcase how these standards are reflected in the tremendous work being carried out by many individuals and organisations throughout Buckinghamshire. These wonderful examples of best practice demonstrate how dignity and respect enhance people’s lives.”
The results:
Community prize
Winner: Mary Mitchell, Marlow
Runners up: Shopmobility Aylesbury and Turnfurlong Infant School, Aylesbury
Healthcare prize
Winner: The Weston Project, Wendover
Runners up: The John Hampden Surgery, Prestwood and the Adult Community Health Team in Aylesbury
Social care prize
Winner: Graham Judge (working with the Epilepsy Society’s boccia team, Chalfont)
Runners up: Nicky Beadle (working with Bluebird Care) and Eddie Whetton (working at the Swarthmore Care Home in Gerrards Cross)
You can watch videos of the winners and runners-up here.