Carer Currently Receiving Care Gets ‘Exemplary Care Delivery Award’ from North Yorkshire Care Association
As part of the Independent Care Group (iCG) annual conference at York Racecourse last week, there was an iCG ‘Who Cares?’ Awards ceremony. Six outstanding people from our industry were chosen from the many nominees put forward.
Among the winners was Mary Riley, a Team Leader who has worked at Meadow Lodge Care Home in Kellington for over 38 years. Mary was unable to attend the event due to being in recovery after a fall, but iCG delivered the award to her in person, and a video of the presentation was shown at the event.
Meadow Lodge Registered Manager Lorraine Coultas, who nominated Mary for the award, said. “I was proud to nominate Mary for her caring nature and the outstanding care she provides every single day. I have worked in care myself for three decades, and throughout that time I have never met anyone quite like Mary. She is truly one of a kind. Her kindness, compassion, experience, professionalism and genuine love for people make her an outstanding carer and a very deserving nominee.”
A proud grandmother, Mary is also a cancer survivor. Her recent fall, which happened on her birthday (a rare day off from work and grandmother duties) whilst walking her sister’s dog, resulted in two broken knees and a broken arm, but she is keeping her spirits up. “My deputy manager said to me, ‘Mary you just don’t get a break, do you?’ I told her, “I do. I’ve just had three!”
Mary consistently receives the most thank-you cards and gifts from residents at Meadow Lodge and their families, proof of how much she is loved and appreciated.
“She has a wonderful ability to make people feel cared for, valued and special”, said her Manager Lorraine. “Mary is also an excellent role model to new members of staff, teaching them her skills and sharing her knowledge, experience and professional approach to care.”
iCG’s Marketing Executive, Brian Johnson, who presented the award, said. “We created the ‘iCG Who Cares? Awards’ to highlight the amazing work people like Mary do. Their contribution to society is often unseen and underappreciated, so it’s a real priviledge to present an award to Mary, who by all accounts is not just an exceptional member of staff, she is a truly lovely person who makes a difference to the lives of residents, families and colleagues every single day.”
On receiving the award, Mary was quite emotional, saying: “Thank you for this award. Thank you to everyone at Meadow Lodge. I love every single one of you. This is for all of us.” Adding, ”This makes it all worthwhile.”
