Richmond's Dignity in Care awards honour paid carers across the borough

Care workers and personal assistants who go the extra mile to provide outstanding care and support to local residents were championed at an awards ceremony on Thursday 13 July 2023.

Local heroes who work across the borough's care sector took centre stage at the Dignity in Care Awards, held at York House in Twickenham.

After three years off due to COVID-19, and a year on from the delivery of Richmond and South West London's more joined up approach to health and care services (Integrated Care System), we were very excited to reinstate the awards programme. The awards recognise high quality care within the borough, raise awareness of dignity in care, inspire local care workers and personal assistants to deliver outstanding care and support and reward and recognise staff and teams that make a big difference.

Cllr Piers Allen, Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health and Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board, welcomed over 60 attendees to the award ceremony and said:

"Our Dignity in Care Awards are about recognising the incredible work that health and social care carers do in Richmond upon Thames and celebrating and promoting to our community the importance we all subscribe to of dignity in providing care – care with compassion, tenderness and generosity, the kindness of care we would all like to extend and be extended to our loved ones.

All of the 130-plus people nominated for an award are to be commended for the fantastic work that goes on in our borough, but special recognition and congratulations should go to the award winners and highly commended nominees for their astonishing achievements."

There were five award categories this year, with a winner and highly commended nominees carefully selected by a judging panel comprised of Council, Integrated Care System, community and voluntary sector officials.

Dignity in Care Awards winners

Read about each of our winners below, and check out our webpage Dignity in Care for our full list of highly commended nominees, and to learn more about the awards, as well as the Council's role as a Dignity Champion.

Carer of the Year for Learning Disabilities

Iza Bombala, who was nominated because of the above-and-beyond commitment and respect she has demonstrated to the people she supports. She helps to develop self-confidence and independence, always provides choices and listens carefully, enabling people she cares for to have a full and active life.

Carer of the Year for Home Care

Yolanda Silva, who was nominated for the outstanding example of person-centred care she provided to an extremely vulnerable resident living on her own in the last years of her life, which was achieved with a good sense of humour, positivity and a recognition that dignity and comfort in one’s final years is essential.

Carer of the Year for Older Peoples' Care Homes

Ranna Choudhry, who was nominated for her hard work to provide inclusive stimulating activities for residents at the Greville House Care Home, going out of her way to share these important moments of their lives with their families. She is immensely trusted by residents, who say they feel safe and confident in her care.

Ken Yew Personal Assistant of the Year Award

Isobel Pettefer, who was nominated for her embodiment of all the values of an outstanding personal assistant, providing vital support to the independence, choice and control of those she supports, building a positive relationships with them and their families.

Carer of the Year for Day and Community Services

Hannah Pearce, who was nominated for her remarkable work with vulnerable members of the community, supporting people with severe mental health issues to a place where they feel more self-confident and active in their communities and demonstrating what it means to connect with a vulnerable person at a level that inspires confidence in them and empowers them to believe in their ability to do better for themselves and for others.