Care provider Agincare announced the winners of its first Agincare Hero Awards at a ceremony at The Manor House near Chippenham, Wiltshire on 27 June.

The awards paid tribute to employees who went above and beyond the call of duty in some special way or excelled by making an outstanding difference to people using Agincare’s services.

A dozen of Agincare’s 3,800 strong workforce nationwide were recognised following nominations from those receiving care and their families, health and social care professionals, colleagues and the general public.

Winners were presented with an Agincare Hero medal and honorary certificate from Agincare’s founder and chairman Derek Luckhurst and chief executive Raina Summerson. Winners also received a luxury hamper, a bouquet of flowers and £500.

Luckhurst said: “I would like to congratulate every single Agincare Hero that we are honouring today. The award is our equivalent of the George Cross, so our heroes are the crème de la crème of Agincare and truly extraordinary people.

“The exceptional professionalism and dedication of all of our people working together as a team is the reason why our feedback from clients is consistently positive. I would like to thank all Agincare teams across the country for what they have done over the last two and a half years during the pandemic.”

Portsmouth live-in care worker Yvette Stubbs received a tribute from the family of Hazel, whom she supported with end of life care. Stubbs’s determination meant Hazel was able to leave hospital and make remarkable progress, before celebrating her 100^th birthday surrounded by three generations of her family.

Stubbs said: “Hazel passed away in March and losing her is still very fresh. I am proud to have cared for her and to be receiving this award thanks to Hazel and her family.”

Clare Dixon, manager of Leominster home care team and The Rose Garden Extra Care scheme kept her teams going and clients safe during the pandemic and also ran community support projects. These included supporting patients when hospitals were bursting at the seams, and organising volunteers to deliver vital medication, supplies and food for vulnerable people and those shielding.

Activities co-ordinator Jackie Ash was described as the “beating heartbeat” of Lansdowne Hill Care Home, near Swindon. She received numerous nominations and is credited with “bringing the community into the care home and care home into the community”.

Brighton home care worker David Lovelidge is considered an honorary member of the family that nominated him for supporting client Diana after he pulled out all stops to ensure her last Christmas at home was truly joyful for them all.

Summerson was also recognised for showing inspirational leadership throughout the Covid pandemic. The award also acknowledged her voice as an advocate for social care reform at government level, during key sector events and in the national media.

Summerson said: “I am touched and honoured to receive this award, but it is really a reflection of the heart, emotional commitment and hard work of all of our colleagues during some difficult times, when we all pulled together as a team.”