Caremark: Guisborough Care Provider Recognizes Exceptional Care Staff

When it came to deciding who should be honoured in Caremark (Redcar & Cleveland)’s annual awards, the clients were the first to be canvassed.

Nomination letters came in from a lady with a complicated and rare illness as well as the family of a man recovering from a major stroke. Management at the care provider then used this feedback to decide who should win the various annual care awards.

Dean Buttle

Dean Buttle, a care worker from Redcar was awarded Employee of the Year. He was nominated by the family of Ted Badger, a client who has been receiving care from Caremark for the last two years, following a stroke.

Dean, together with Beth Cappleman, a fellow carer and also an award winner visit Ted and his wife Betty four times a day. They do everything from helping Ted to get up, wash and dress in the morning, through to supporting him to go to bed at night.

Through their dedicated care and support Ted has regained some strength in his legs, enabling him to take a few steps which his physiotherapists never thought possible.

“After Ted had a stroke I found it very hard to care for him, but Dean and Beth have been fantastic and I don’t know what I would do without them” Betty said.

Betty’s daughter Donna said: “Dean and Beth really do put a smile on my mam’s face as she knows she can trust them to do their jobs professionally and also that they have a really good rapport with my dad. 

“My dad loves them both too, they make him laugh and they are genuinely lovely people to be around. When Dean and Beth are with my mam and dad it puts my mind at ease because I know that they are in safe hands and would go that extra mile for them.”

Upon winning the award, Dean said: “It’s nice to be recognised for the work you do, but I don’t do it for reward, caring for people like Ted is just something I love doing.” Dean received a certificate, £100 and a bottle of champagne.

Michelle Townsend with her client

Michelle Townsend

Michelle Townsend, another carer who covers the Middlesbrough, Guisborough and North Yorkshire area also received an award and was delighted to receive a certificate, £50 and a bouquet of flowers.

Michelle was nominated by her client Carol Painter who has a rare illness and is also recovering from a stroke. This means she needs daily one-to-one-support.

“I have always enjoyed being a carer and it was very nice of Carol to say so many nice things about me in her letter” said Michelle.

Commenting on her nomination, Carol said: “Michelle is patient, considerate and kind and she has brought the outside world into my life. She helps me to deal with some of the challenging aspects of daily life and when I am with her I feel I could climb a mountain.”

Caremark (Redcar and Cleveland) Managing Director Charles Folkes said: “It was difficult deciding who should win awards this year because all of our staff are so deserving.

Also recognised for their outstanding work:

• Extra care carer of the year – Celia Dawson
• East Cleveland carer of the year – Andrea Starsmore
• Special achievement award – Lynne Morris
• Outstanding achievement award – Janet Morgan

Folkes continued: “In the end we thought it was fitting that the people we provide care for should be instrumental in helping us to choose the winners, and we would like to thank them for the lovely nominations they submitted.

The awards recognise those that go that extra mile in their roles and ensure that the care we deliver is outstanding.” – Charles Folkes, Managing Director