Care workers across Hackney who provide care and help for vulnerable people in the borough, were celebrated at a special ceremony at Hackney Town Hall on Thursday 25 October 2018.

Nearly 300 out of around 800 local care workers were nominated for the second annual Hackney Care Worker of the Year awards by their employers and the people they provide care and help for. There were four winners who received a trophy and certificate, four runners-up and 37 shortlisted nominees, who also received a certificate.

The awards were organised by Hackney Council to recognise the vital role of care workers in communities across the borough, delivering care for vulnerable people in difficult and challenging circumstances. Care workers play a key role in enabling people, who need care in Hackney, to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

Councillor Feryal Demirci, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, Transport and Parks presented the winners’ trophies and certificates. She said: “I was really impressed by the professionalism and dedication of all the care workers who were nominated. They're a lifeline for some of our more vulnerable residents, especially for people who are housebound. Often care workers will be a person’s single link to the outside world - the only person they see in a day."

Care workers in Hackney play a key role in helping people stay as independent as possible for as long as possible and if people can see the same care worker, it helps to ensure their care is consistent. Care workers can also help to stop people from ending up in hospital which is even more critical given the funding pressures for adult social care.

There were four overall winners in the four categories including Antoinette Senior in the Care in the wider community category. Kayana Fung was named as the winner in the Housing with Care category; for care workers directly employed by Hackney Council. Kayana was nominated by several people who receive care from her. Some of the comments included: “Kayanna is a very kind person, she always takes her time to look after me. She is very understanding and caring. She is amazing, caring and understanding. she treats me like I am her mother and respects all my wishes. She will always go the extra mile for you and that is the reason she is well liked by everyone.”

Fatuma Yarey won in the Homecare Organisation category; for care workers employed by homecare agencies, who have a contract with the Council to provide care services. Fatuma’s manager Helen Price from JC Michael Care Agency collected the award on her behalf. She said: “I am really pleased for Fatuma, this is a well deserved award for someone who always goes that extra mile for the people she cares for. Care work is a very rewarding profession with lots of opportunities to develop and build your career. I started as a care worker myself nine years ago and worked my up to my current position. I would recommend a career in health and social care to anyone, the job satisfaction you get is second to none.”

Dawn Hawkins was the overall winner in the Residential category. She was nominated by residents at St Anne’s Care Home in Stoke Newington. She said: “I’m overwhelmed that I’ve won. It’s recognition for all of the hard work we do. I’m a care worker because I love working with older people and I do this to make their day better. If I can get someone up with a smile and make sure they go to bed feeling the same way then I’ve done my job.”

The Council signed up to UNISON’s ethical care charter at last year’s awards ceremony which was the first ever event for Hackney’s care workers. Hackney which is already a London living wage employer is committed to pay the London living wage (currently £10.20 per hour), instead of zero hours contracts with guaranteed hours and to make full payment for travel time between home care visits. The code ensures quotas are not used and home care visits are focused on the best interests of the person being cared for and their care worker.

Role profile of Hackney care workers

There are around 800 care workers in Hackney, with the vast majority also living in the borough. Many choose to work locally due to family/childcare commitments, to supplement their income, to earn whilst they are studying, to work in a viable job whilst maintaining benefit income or as a first step into a nursing or social work career.

Runners-up in the four categories were:

• Hassan Rawat, Runner-up in the Housing with Care category

• Chantel Dolor, Runner-up in Homecare Organisation category

• Genevie Galapon, Runner-up in the Residential category

• Laura Pompelli, Runner-up in the Care in the Wider Community category

Nominees shortlisted in the Housing with Care category were:

• Marcia Bailey Dean

• Janet James

• Maleek Kara

• Loretta John Louis

• Phaire Sekabira

• Rugiatu Kamara

• Abosede Olamobisi

• Agatha Colibaly

• Brenda Oguimobo

• Elizabeth Joseph

• Nadia Yeboah

• Sonia Harvey

Nominees shortlisted in the Homecare Organisation category were:

• Entisar Lakhal

• Karen Carroll

• Ali Hissan

• Amran Jama

• Ayshe Femi Ahmed

• Enver Durmush

• Heather Dublin

• Jarek Jarzebowicz

• Julie Ramos

• Odianosen Owobu

• Sharon Hewitt

• Sunny Eribo

Nominees shortlisted in the Residential category were:

• Giovanni Fronteddu

Nominees shortlisted in the wider Community category:

• Akubakar Bah

• Ali Hafixilotfabadi

• Donna Williams

• Ebru Kigili

• France Margi

• Gaynor Donaldson

• Mrs Leslie Joseph

• Njefeh Betangmbeg

• Sharon Clarke

• Titilayo Babalola

• James Grace