The weeks are just flying by and we are all very excited to put up our Christmas Dec’s and put on our Christmas jumpers, a small confession is that I am already playing Christmas music on loop in my car and possibly maybe a cheeky CD in the Bognor office…….

Around this time of year I always find myself reflecting on the year coming to a close and all the events and days that have made the year memorable and challenged and excited me in some way or another.

However before we say goodbye to 2016 we have a really exciting event to attend  “The CARE AWARDS !!!!”

Those of you that follow my business would know that last year we received a nomination for “Home Care Worker” and Kelly Bowles made it through to the finals but was sadly pipped to the post. However this year Kelly is back in the running as “coordinator of the year.”

We are gloriously surprised this year to have received 4 nominations through to the regional finals, categories include: “Business of the year”, “Co-ordinator of the year” , “New comer of the year” and “Home carer of the year”.

So Brandi, Crystal, Kelly and Natalie are practising their photographic smiles for awards night next week. Although one of those girls requires very little practise as she is the selfie Queen!

It is this occasion where you can reward those very hard working care workers for all the efforts they put in every day.  Caring is both physically and mentally challenging and it isn’t often that you get to hear the wonderful stories of the truly heart-warming side of care. It is also an opportunity to thank a whole bunch of carers for their commitment to the company and their clients. Platinum Care Solutions will be going to Brighton next Wednesday in limo style with the nominees and their colleagues to really celebrate both the nominations and the work achieved by them all.

Brandi has been selected in the finals as the newcomer to care. Brandi has shown such compassion and empathy that there really is only one winner in my eyes! As a younger member of staff Brandi has such a mature and compassionate approach that she genuinely deserves both the nomination and the award, fingers crossed the judges see this?

Kelly, well what can I say?  Sometimes I struggle to find the words to express how honestly grateful I am to have such a hardworking loyal and kind person working for the business. Kelly suffers from a debilitating illness yet she always makes time for her team and clients, nothing is ever too much trouble for her and she really is the mother hen of the team !

Kelly has such a passion for caring that although she received the nomination for coordinator that doesn’t mean that she no longer works on the field, Kelly specialises in End of Life care and ensures that the patient is treated with the highest respect and dignity and that the family feel confident that she really is looking after their loved ones.

Crystal has been selected as the Care worker of the year. This position generally faces the largest competition and to make it to the finals has been a huge achievement that we are all very proud. Crystal is very professional and knows her stuff,  yet kind and compassionate and really excels with clients that have dementia. Dementia is a terrible illness that represents itself differently in each person,  to  manage the care for someone with dementia takes understanding of the clients and really in-depth knowledge of their lives before the illness so that you can help relate to their needs currently and Crystal has this skill and demonstrates a professional yet warm approach.

Then the business was selected and to be honest that is an obvious choice as the business has so many great care workers that it is our selection of such great carers that makes us the Best Care Company!

Natalie is hoping to collect this award as all year round she offers not only support  to the home care division but to the business in general and she appreciates all the hard work and effort that goes into making us the most giving and personal company of the year!

I am so proud of the people of Platinum Care Solutions, from the administrators, care workers clients and their families. I wholeheartedly believe that we truly make a difference to the people we support and care for and I look forward to the awards night, although as the owner of the company I already feel like we are winners!

Jo Barry