Margaret celebrates her award with members of her team of domiciliary care workers
One of Gateshead’s domiciliary care workers has been given the ultimate professional accolade by being declared the North East Carer of the Year.
Margaret Hughes, a Senior Domiciliary Care Worker with Gateshead Council, was presented with the award at this year’s Ceretas National Home Care Awards in London.
Ceretas, which used to be known as the British Association of Domiciliary Care (BADCO), is a professional association dedicated to individuals working in home care.
Margaret has worked for Gateshead Council for almost 20 years and is currently responsible for a team of 16 domiciliary care workers providing home care to clients in the Birtley area of Gateshead. Her colleagues nominated her because of her dedication to her job.
Margaret Barrett, Head of Adult Care Services for Gateshead Council, says: “This award is richly deserved – Margaret is a real credit to the service.
“Her approach has always been to put the service user first and it is no surprise that her work has won her so many friends - her commitment is remarkable.
“Margaret is also forward-thinking, she’s always looking for new ways of helping people and she’s always keen to be involved in new projects. Recently she became involved in a dementia pilot scheme in the Birtley area to which she has brought a great deal of common sense and experience. “
She added: “Margaret is a true ambassador for the Domiciliary Care Service and she should feel proud to receive this award.”
Councillor Ian Mearns, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, says: “Gateshead Council has always been committed to providing high quality services for local people – and its thanks to people like Margaret that we have been able to maintain such very high standards.
“Winning the North East Carer of the Year Award is a superb achievement -and one which very few in the caring professions ever experience. Margaret is therefore in very select company and has every right to feel proud of what she has achieved. She is quite clearly an outstanding carer working for the people of Gateshead.”
Gateshead Council plan to invite Margaret to a future Gateshead Council meeting so that councillors can recognise her achievement and offer their congratulations to her more formally.