Social worker praised for caring work with mental health patients

A NOTTS County Council social worker has received a prestigious national award for her support of people with mental health problems.
Veronica Bell was presented with the Dignity in Care Award by TV personality Fiona Philips and Glen Mason from the Department of health at the Great British Home Care Awards, which was recently held at London’s Marriott Park Lane Hotel.

The awards are organised and supported by the Department of Health and are part of a series of regional awards which celebrates excellence in social care and pay tribute to those who work in the sector throughout England.

Veronica was the regional winner of the Great East Midlands Care Award for Dignity held in November 2012.

Veronica, from Nottingham, started work as a social worker at the county council in 1984. She has worked with people with mental health problems in the Rushcliffe, Gedling and Broxtowe area and is now a social worker with the Physical Disability Team, Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe, based at Sir John Robinson Way. Veronica said: “It’s such a great honour to be recognised.”

Chris Harwood, from a south Nottinghamshire village, has been supported by Veronica. He said: “My social worker Veronica – I call her my archangel – saved my life. She supported me by organising helpers to come in and help me get my life back.”