Great-gran Beatrice in care awards final

AN EAST Kilbride woman is to be recognised as one of the top employees in the care sector in Scotland at a prestigious awards ceremony in Glasgow

Great-granny Beatrice Bryden, 71, who works for Carewatch South Lanarkshire, has been selected from over 200 entries as a finalist in the Care Personality – Employee of the Year Award at the Scottish Care at Home Awards 2009.

She will learn the contest’s outcome at the awards ceremony to be held at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel this Friday.

Now in their third year, the awards have been hailed a huge success with more entries than ever flooding in from service users, employers and employees nominating their peers and colleagues.

The Scottish Care At Home Awards ceremony will follow a full-day of conference for the care sector where representatives including Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health and Sport, Marcia Ramsay from the Care Commission and Alan Baird Director of Social work in Dundee will address care sector workers on various issues of the day affecting both workers and care service users.

The awards will be judged by Carole Wilkinson, chief executive office(CEO) of Scottish Social Services Council, Hugh Mills, CEO for independent health and care providers Northern Ireland, Alan Hosie, managing director of Orrkerrdykes and Simon Kerr from Clydesdale Bank.

Murray woman Beatrice is delighted to have been recognised as a finalist in the awards.

She said: “I am thrilled to be a finalist in the Scottish Care At Home Awards. I am really passionate about my role and most of all I enjoy it.

“I love my work helping to care for other people and helping them to live in their own homes to the maximum.

“I’m really looking forward to the awards ceremony and even if I don’t win, just being nominated has made me feel special. It’s a wonderful feeling to have received so many nominations from people I work with – it has really surprised me.”

Lorraine Ballantyne, care manager, who nominated Beatrice for her fantastic work with Carewatch South Lanarkshire, said: “I am thrilled Beatrice has been shortlisted for a care award. At the grand age of 71, Beatrice is Carewatch’s oldest member of staff, and everything she does is with 100 per cent dedication.

“Not only does Beatrice show full commitment to our service users and her fellow workers, she also assists with childcare for her great grandchildren and is the main carer for her husband. She is well-respected by everyone who makes her acquaintance as she is a real pleasure to work with and be around.

“In her working life, Beatrice incorporates over 50 years experience within the care industry with the enthusiasm and energy of a younger member of staff. She goes above and beyond the call of duty, so her nomination is truly deserved. Nothing is too much trouble to Beatrice and it’s her people skills and calm, patient manner that make her a true champion. We are very much looking forward to the outcome of the Scottish Care At Home Awards and as far as we’re concerned, Beatrice is a winner.”