Champions of dignity in care recognised

Guest of honour for the evening Simon Weston OBE with guests at the award ceremony

The second Age Concern Metro Rochdale Dignity in Care Awards Evening took place recently. Over 130 people turned out to recognise and celebrate local Champions of Dignity in Care at Rochdale Town Hall.

From hospital staff to next door neighbours that go the extra mile in showing dignity in care to older people across the Borough, all those shortlisted were presented with a certificate by the guest of honour for the evening Simon Weston OBE.

There were four categories for the awards, Care and Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Care at Home and Mental Health.

Sharon Whitbread from Lakeside Residential Home in Littleborough was the deserving winner for the ‘Care and Nursing Homes’ category, having received a number of commendations from residents and relatives alike.

The winner for the ‘Hospitals’ category was Mr Taohid Oshodi, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at The Royal Oldham Hospital, Mr Young who nominated Mr Oshodi, said of him, “I trust him with my life…I cannot praise him too highly he is a wonderful man.”

The award for ‘Care at Home’ went to the Castleton District Nurses, nominated for their support, compassion and understanding in enabling patients to be card for at home in their own surroundings, ensuring dignity when most needed.

The award for the final category, ‘Mental Health’, was given to Kaldha Manzoor from Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association, having been nominated for the work she does in the community, raising awareness and removing taboos around depression and stress in older people in the Borough.

In addition to the winners of the four categories, the Vera Hirst Dignity Champion Award was given to Pauline Fardon in recognition of her contributions to the dignity agenda locally.

Students from Oulder Hill Community School lent their support, with Head Girl Catherine Ayres reciting ‘An Old Lady’s Poem.’

Paul Gala, Chief Officer of Age Concern Metro Rochdale said: “The quality and amount of nominations we received was once again overwhelming and demonstrates the high level of dignity in care across the Borough, it is really important that we continue to acknowledge and celebrate this. It was wonderful to welcome back Simon Weston as our Guest of Honour again.”

Simon Weston was delighted to be able to lend his support to this event again adding: “These individuals are all doing a remarkable and wonderful job and are the true stars of this evening. None of us can change the world but we can all do our bit to change the lives of those around us, and that’s exactly what these individuals are doing.”