24th August 2023
Belfast Trust was delighted to hold its inaugural Social Care Awards ceremony on earlier this year at Belfast Castle.
The event recognised and celebrated the amazing work of our social care staff within Belfast Trust.
Approximately 150 guests attended the Social Care Awards, including our finalists in each category, supported by their colleagues and managers.
The event was attended by key speakers Dr Cathy Jack, Chief Executive; Ciaran Mulgrew, Belfast Trust Chairman; Aine Morrison, Department of Health Chief Social Worker and Tracy Reid, Interim Executive Director of Social Work, each of whom spoke about the significant contribution that social care staff make to the lives of children and adults in the Belfast area every day.
“Our social care workforce work across so many different areas, with adults and children, it is really important to take time out and celebrate the work that they do.
“I think it’s really important that we’re doing it as a Trust. The social care workforce is the backbone of social care services not only in Belfast Trust but across the region in Northern Ireland, so I think it’s really important.”
- Older Peoples Services – Social Care Worker Award: Danielle McCullough, Band 2 Homecare worker in the Shankill Health & Wellbeing Centre.
- Physical and Sensory Services – Social Care Worker Award: Roberta Gray, Band 2 Homecare Worker in Avoca, Knockbracken Health Care Park
- Children’s Service – Social Care Worker Award: Trudy Walker, Band 5 Residential Care Worker in North Road Children’s Home.
- Learning Disability Services – Social Care Worker Award: Michelle Harrison, Band 3 Day Care Worker in Everton Learning Disability Centre.
- Mental Health Service – Social Care Worker Award: Paul Mercer, Band 5 Day Care Worker in Ravenhill Day Centre.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Bridie Shaw, Homecare Worker in North & West based in the Shankill Health & wellbeing Centre.
- New to Social Care Award: Brian Rice (Pat Cassidy received on behalf of Brian), Day Care Worker, based in the Everton Complex.
- Social Care Manager Award: Esther Brimage, Day Centre Manager based in Knockbracken Day Centre.
- Co-Production Award: The Virtual Dementia Bus Experience, social care staff in statutory residential, supported housing.
- Outstanding Contribution to Social Care – Team Award: Drug Outreach Team, Mental Health and community partnerships.
Paul Clarke compered the event with everyone in attendance listened to each of the finalist’s nomination story – hearing why they do what they do and the job satisfaction they get during the tough times as well as the good.
A special thanks to the Workforce, Learning, Development, Improvement Service – Social Work and Social Care Workforce for organising the event and the support of our Trade Union Colleagues at Unison who provided gift cards for each prize winner.
