A wonderful night, celebrating a wonderful workforce!

Last year, the MioCare Staff Awards were hosted online but we were back together in September 2021 to mark an incredible year of hard work and achievement. It was good to both reflect and celebrate alongside each other, as staff from different services across the Group gathered for a special evening.

Keeping in mind the challenges we've all faced this year, it comes as no surprise that it was harder than ever for the panel to make decisions on who would take home each award. A HUGE well done to all those that were nominated this year and thank you to everyone that sent in one of the 250+ nominations. A marvellous effort.

Further congratulations to the winners...

Role Model - This award recognises individuals who provide a positive example to others and demonstrate consistently high standards in what they say and do.

Winner: Maruf Shah

Maruf is adaptable, resilient and proactive in supporting others and providing the best care to those he works with. He is extremely hard working and his passion and caring nature really shine through.

Outstanding Leader (Older People's Services) - This award recognises that we can all show leadership, whatever our role and position in the organisation. Nominees for this award have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, taking on new challenges and demonstrating the ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve their best.

Winner: Jo Cottom

Jo is held in very high regard by her team, providing personal and professional support to everyone and demonstrating continued leadership in difficult times. She has shown great compassion and inspires and encourages her team to be their best.

Outstanding Leader (Learning Disabilities, Mental Health and Managed Services) - This award recognises that we can all show leadership, whatever our role and position in the organisation. Nominees for this award have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, taking on new challenges and demonstrating the ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve their best..

Winner: Janet Lomas

Janet is committed, approachable and supportive of everyone in her teams. She is a great advocate for the needs of people and is proactive in finding solutions to any problem to achieve the best outcomes for all.

Unsung Hero - this award allows us to recognise excellent work anywhere in the organisation, whether from someone working directly with service users or someone who has a positive impact on their colleagues.

Winner: Wendy Brown

Wendy puts her heart into everything. She is flexible, committed and supportive to her colleagues and shows incredible care and compassion. She has shown dedication and professionalism in all that she does.

Making a Difference - this award is given to someone who has made a significant difference to the life of a service user or carer and who thinks of the needs of others before themselves. They will demonstrate a service user focus in everything they do.

Winner: Marcia Horan

Marcia has been innovative and creative in meeting the needs of individuals on a one to one basis, providing bespoke activities and new ways to maintain contact with loved ones. Marcia has continued to provide a first-class service during challenging times.

Rising Star - this award recognises someone who has worked in their role for less than two years and who has shown outstanding service, excellent teamwork, a positive attitude and is consistently reliable.

Winner: Stella Bowden

Stella approaches every task with a positive and helpful attitude and is known for her enthusiasm and good humour, taking everything in her stride. She has grown in confidence in herself and her abilities and is a key member of the team.

[Pictured above, Stella's colleague Julie receiving the award on her behalf]

Team of the Year (Older People's Services) - This award is given to the team who has made an outstanding contribution by working together and in partnership with others to achieve positive outcomes for the people they support.

Winner: Hopwood Court

The team at Hopwood Court has worked together and supported each other to deliver high quality and compassionate care. They have kept morale high and ensured the people they support have been cared for and kept safe and happy in very challenging times for everyone.

Team of the Year (Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Services) - This award is given to the team who has made an outstanding contribution by working together and in partnership with others to achieve positive outcomes for the people they support.

Winner: Newbarn Close

The Newbarn Close team show empathy, compassion and commitment to ensuring the people they support live varied and fulfilling lives. They are resilient and dedicated and have worked tirelessly to meet every challenge and to achieve the best possible outcomes for all.

Covid Hero Award (Individual) – A new award this year, recognising key work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Winner: Sue Beckman

Sue has played a major part in ensuring that everyone is playing their part in protecting the people we support and each other. For this reason, Sue is our Covid Hero!

Covid Hero Award (Team) – A new award this year, recognising key work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Winner: Medlock Court

This goes to the team at Medlock Court, who have earned the respect of colleagues across the sector for their continued resilience, bravery and determination to deliver a top class service for the people of Oldham, despite facing huge changes to their service.

Special Recognition Award – An award for 2021, given in recognition of the extraordinary efforts and experience of one particular team and also to commemorate the lives of those people we have loved and lost during the pandemic.

In special recognition of Kerwood Drive

Long Service Awards - Congratulations to those who celebrated 25 years long service - Mark Townsend, Janet Spicer, Jane Hanna, June Collett, Diane Collyer, Janet Frost, Sue Beckman and Jeanette Rigg - amazing achievements.

Thank you to all who made it such a great event, including our host Chelsea Norris, our venue for the evening (Smokies Park Hotel and their staff and DJ), our Board, partners and guest presenters (pictured below) and finally the generous businesses that contributed to our charity raffle (which raised lots of money for the Mayor of Oldham’s Appeal Fund)…

  • Manchester City F.C.
  • Manchester United F.C.
  • Tesco Failsworth
  • Sainsbury's Oldham
  • Wray Communications
  • Milan Bar, Lees
  • The Front House, Springhead 
  • Molino Lounge
  • Oldham Coliseum
  • Last but certainly not least...our amazing Wellbeing Service at Chadderton Hall Park!

And not forgetting our brilliant photographer Alan Hamer.

Thank you to all of you, we appreciate it!

That concludes the MioCare Staff Awards 2021. We hope everyone involved enjoyed the event and congratulations again to those who were nominated, shortlisted and who won an award this year.