Staff Member at Warwickshire, Care Home, Awarded Runner Up for the Carer’s Unsung Hero Award
Ange Booth, a staff member at Low Furlong Care Home in Shipston-on-Stour, has been awarded Runner Up in The Carer’s Unsung Hero Award.
The Carer launched its Unsung Hero Award to recognise and celebrate ‘staff working in the residential and nursing care sector who have, during the Coronavirus crisis, gone above and beyond “normal work duties”’.
Ange, a domestic staff member, was nominated by Low Furlong Home Manager, Leanne Braham, for making it her mission to support the entire Low Furlong staff team and becoming a wonderful advocate for mental health.
Leanne Braham commented: “We have many ‘unsung heroes’ at Low Furlong who go above and beyond each day to make the home we work and live in a better place, but this year Ange has really stood out. This is not only for the effort she has put in to supporting the team during what has been a particularly difficult time in social care, but for her determination to learn, develop and complete her Mental Health First Aid course. We are all very proud of her.”
Ange was due to begin her training as a Mental Health First Aider before it was postponed due to the pandemic. So instead, Ange was able to complete the course via Zoom. And, since August last year, she is now a fully qualified Mental Health First Aider, having completed all of her training.
Ange is very proud of her Mental Health First Aid qualification and staff are all very grateful for the time and effort she puts in to supporting them.
Ange has set up several initiatives in the home, including a staff support box, where staff can post (anonymously if preferred) about any concerns or worries they are facing, both in and out of work. She has also organised a mental health area in the staff room – which includes valuable information, guidance and resources.
To celebrate World Mental Health Day, Ange wrote every staff member a card with a unique positive message about them. She is always supporting and encouraging staff to talk to her, or the Manager, if they have any concerns or worries.
Ange was delighted to be recognised for the award, and commented: “I am truly honoured, not only to have been nominated but to be one of the runners up. The team here helped me when I was suffering with severe anxiety, and now I know I can give the same support to others who may be experiencing similar difficulties. I love my work at Low Furlong and now I get to make a difference to those I work with as well as those we have the pleasure of caring for.”