The Oxfordshire Care Awards took place earlier this week, recognising people making a difference to the lives of others.
Carers around Oxfordshire were celebrated at the awards ceremony on Monday, June 17.
Individuals from the community and voluntary sector, statutory and independent care providers, and unpaid carers were recognised for their contributions to the community.
Staff and volunteers from Wallingford based care providers, Style Acre, scooped five awards.
This included Gemma Elliot, who received the Front Line Leaders Award, and Olwen Barlow, who bagged the Volunteer Award for her work at Wantage Market Garden.
The Care Team Award went to Daybreak Oxfordshire, a charity that provides activities for people battling dementia, while offering respite for carers.
Shared Lives carer, Sue Clayton, received the Long Service Award for her dedication to the scheme run by Oxfordshire County Council that matches households with adults who have additional care needs, offering them a place to stay and grow their independence.
The event is organised annually by the Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers, with support from Action for Carers Oxfordshire, Age UK Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire County Council.
Eddy McDowall, CEO of Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers, said: "It's always a huge privilege to be involved in the Oxfordshire Care Awards.
"The awards give the whole community a chance to pause, focus and reflect, and thank the hard-working people in our industry, celebrating those moments where people go above and beyond what's expected."
Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s director for adult social care, added: "The Oxfordshire Care Awards are one of the highlights of the year.
"By celebrating the very best carers in Oxfordshire, we get the opportunity to really reflect on what our industry is all about – the people who are making a difference on a daily basis to other people’s lives.
"It’s been an honour to take part in the event and celebrate the achievements of Oxfordshire’s carers."
Elsewhere, the Care Home Worker Award went to Hannah Kirby from Launton Grange Care Home, the Unpaid Carer Award was won by Karen Hynds, and the Digital Social Care Hero Award went to Barbra Hayers from Trinity Carers Services.
Semukeliso Sithole from Countywide Caring was recognised with the Newcomer to Care Award and Maymessy Cookery School took home the Inspiration Award.
Andrew Lane, chair of trustees for both Age UK Oxfordshire and Action for Carers Oxfordshire, said: "It has been a pleasure being part of the Oxfordshire Care Awards, celebrating the fantastic care provided by such wonderful people in Oxfordshire.
"It’s so important to recognise the contribution that care workers, volunteers and unpaid carers make to our local communities."
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