Other good news stories

And the acknowledge the achievements of all the winners and nominees. winner is… Kell Byer, a support worker at the News from this Ivydale Road learning disability service in Southwark, was highly commended year’s Great Home Care Worker Award category for the London region. In the South region, British Care Fiona Dianin, Team Manager for three learning disability services, was shortlisted Awards for the Team Leader category and Megan Boatman, Care Support Worker in a The Great British Care Awards pay also made the shortlist in the Care Home tribute to those who have demonstrated Worker category. All three colleagues outstanding service in their field of work. have excelled in their roles, showing a real Due to the pandemic, this year’s national commitment to customers, colleagues and finals were held virtually, and while we teams. couldn’t celebrate the awards in the usual glitzy style, it was still an opportunity to

Supporting Syrian Refugee Families: Amal’s story

We’re working to support some of the most vulnerable Syrian refugee families starting a new life in the UK. Syria has the world’s largest number of refugees as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Amal and her family relocated to the UK in March 2020, after living in a camp in Lebanon for six years. It was difficult leaving Syria and her friends and family behind. The camp in Lebanon was not an easy place. However, Amal could cook, and that helped her to support homeless people and children at the camp. Amal’s love of cooking began at age 14. She feels she was wiser than other girls her age. She was brought up to look after the household and was inspired by her mother. Food hygiene and clean surfaces, especially when cooking chicken and meat, are very important to her. Amal’s favourite dishes include Mulukhiyah, which is thick vegetable soup often served with rice, and Tabbouleh, parsley and bulgur salad. Her Pakistani neighbour has fallen in love with Syrian food and has asked to try Amal's dishes, even if it's just a small amount. Looking to the future, Amal hopes to have a catering business or small restaurant. She’s keen to volunteer in her local community and would like to cook for physical and learning disability service, the homeless and those in need. Mimi Trifonova, Outreach Support Worker said: "It is incredible to witness and be part of the journey these families have been on, and to support them in adapting to a new life after arriving in the UK just days before lockdown started. The resilience, dignity and desire to learn, which the families have shown has taught me to appreciate the achievements I have made, and to be a better support worker. This experience with the families is a two-way learning curve and no two days are the same."

Here to help in Havering

Here to Help offers free, short-term support to people aged 16+ who live in Havering, Essex, and need help to develop their independent living skills. The team has continued to provide information, advice and guidance to local residents, whilst working remotely. Here are some of their achievements since April this year: • 6,021 calls answered to provide information and guidance • 183 Foodbank vouchers given to

Havering residents in need • 37 families supported with furniture when moving into new accommodation • 22 people supported into work

With Christmas just around the corner, the Here to Help team will be working with local radio station, TIME FM, to distribute toys to families in need.

Phone: 01708 776770 (line open Monday – Saturday; 9am-5pm) Email: haveringfloatingsupport@peabody.org.uk

Liz is one of our Essex-based carers. She takes us through a few days in her working life and introduces us to Rachel, Donna and Paul…

Hi, my name is Liz and I am in the Flexy Team. I work between three schemes in Chelmsford. You can have a picture of me as I look much better in a mask.

MORNING SHIFT Day starts normally at 7am

Why do the guys get up so early? Rachel makes her porridge and her tea or coffee and sits at the table. I do Paul’s latte and breakfast and another latte (Paul is registered blind but we encourage and support him to do as much as he can for himself). I support Paul and Rachel with medication and take Donna's up to her in bed - she likes a lie-in. Rachel clears the table and loads the dishwasher - that’s her job! I run her bath, testing the temperature for her. She likes her hair washed on Monday, Thursday and Friday. She baths and dresses independently. While Rachel is in the bath, I help Paul with his morning shave before his shower. I give the downstairs a quick hoover, listening out in case anyone needs me. Paul dresses in his bedroom. I ask what T-shirt he wants today. He will choose a flowery one because that’s the sort I wear and he can make out some of the flowers and colours. He asked me to buy some for him and has a nice collection now. Shaving balm applied next and aftershave (Paul will choose ‘Intimately Beckham’ because he knows it's my favourite). He will either watch TV or sit in the garden listening to his radio. If the birds need feeding I support Paul to feed them. Rachel is dressed now and she watches TV. I’ve already put the washing on. What’s this I hear? Singing! Donna is up, showered and dressed and - first things first - she puts the kettle on for her coffee and offers to make everyone a drink. She then does her washing and puts it out on the line.

LATE SHIFT

So what are we going to do today? We had a chat about the virus and how hard the doctors and nurses are working. We decided to make a rainbow and send lots of goodies to our local hospital to show our appreciation - I found out they need quick foods like pot noodles and soups in a mug.

We decorated the packages with rainbows. We also stuck them in the bedroom windows to show our support. On Thursday evening we stood out the front and clapped

with our neighbours.

MORNING SHIFT (AGAIN)

Bed-changing day for Paul and he donates a couple of old duvets for a friend of mine to make into scrub bags. Paul also needs a haircut so I clipped it for him in the garden before his shower. I also brought nose clippers for his nose, eyebrows and ears - a very smart gentleman! Donna is making 'fizzy lemonade jelly,' we had the rest of the lemonade with lunch.

MID-SHIFT

Let's go for a picnic! I brought lots of goodies on the way to work. Here we all go - the merry gang… Enjoying the picnic in the park, five minutes' walk from home. What a lovely day and the sun is shining.

EARLY SHIFT

Our bananas are looking a bit ripe, so Rachel makes a banana cake… yum! Donna fancied a stroll in the sunshine so we walked along the river and across the fields to watch the horses. What a lovely picture. When we get back I help Rachel and Paul to put the washing out.

LATE SHIFT

We are entering the Rainbow competition. We made a sun-catcher Rainbow mobile. The guys have worked really hard and done

a great job. Later, Donna lays the table for evening meal. Afterwards Donna and Rachel clear the table and Rachel loads the dishwasher. She will empty it and put everything away once it's finished.

MID-SHIFT

Let’s have a BBQ! I am head chef - everyone seemed to enjoy it. Rachel waits for the washing to dry. She enjoys bringing it in but she doesn’t like waiting. We do have to check it otherwise Rachel will put it away wet. Paul’s niece visits him and they have a social distancing meet-up in the garden. He was so pleased!

BACK TO MORNING SHIFT

We didn't win the Rainbow competition but we got a rainbow cake for entering. It was delicious. Our Manager Cheryl popped in and what's that on the table? So that's where

the last bit went! I help Rachel to phone her sister today. They were able to see each other using WhatsApp. Donna rings her sister every day. I printed her number out and laminated it so she can phone her sister without any support now. The guys are having a good game playing Bowls in the

garden. GOOD GAME, GOOD GAME. Well that’s it, I think I can have a day or two off now! Liz xxx