Both ceremonies had an introduction from our chief executive Tim Cooper, who emphasised how everyone should take pride in the amazing person-centred work they do, keeping people we support safe and well, both at home and in their chosen communities.

Apprenticeship awards

Then our graduating apprentices from each region were invited to don their caps and gowns to collect their certificates.

Working with our training provider Realise, we support apprenticeships across all areas of the business including Health and Social Care, HR and Administration. Our achievers have gained qualifications ranging from Level 2 to Level 5.

Denzel Gumpo completed his Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care last year.

He explained how he has been able to use his training whilst supporting people in his everyday work:

I enjoyed learning more about legislation and how I can use this to actually improve the lives of people we support.

One example is when a Local Authority was pushing to have a person we support moved into a 24-hour care facility due to a decline in health.

I used the knowledge I gained from the course around legislation, the Care Act in particular, to challenge the local authority to provide more support in the lady’s home.

Proud: our North apprenticeship achievers
Ⓒ Simon Vine Photography

Long service awards

We also presented awards to Julia Casserly, Susan Howells, Bev Murphy, Lorraine Woor and Margaret Gingell, recognising their long commitment to United Response with more than 140 years’ service between them!

From left: Julia Casserly, Susan Howells, Bev Murphy
Ⓒ Simon Vine Photography
From left: Margaret Gingell and Lorraine Woor
Ⓒ Sam Stephenson Photography

Margaret said:

It’s been lovely. I’m such a people person and I’ve had the opportunity to work in lots of different services supporting people. There’s huge job satisfaction too, when things go right which they usually do.

Special awards

In the North, people we support from York joined us to talk about their experience creating a hit song last year, and their journey trying to get the single to Christmas number one.

In the South, everyone gave a standing ovation to Beverley Forbes and David Brown from Bristol who received a special bravery award for reacting quickly in an emergency, assisting people we support safely out of a car shortly before it caught fire.

Brave: Beverley Forbes and David Brown
Ⓒ Sam Stephenson Photography

UR Stars awards

We also gave out our ‘UR Stars’ awards, presented to individual colleagues and teams alike for going above and beyond in their work. Director for Operations North, Julia Casserly wore appropriate headwear to present the awards!

‘UR Stars’ from across the North
Ⓒ Simon Vine Photography

Among the recipients were our Hutton Avenue team in Darlington who turned an old shed into a magical Santa’s grotto last Christmas and the team at Beach Road, whose creative and engaging activities kept people we support in Littlehampton happy through multiple lockdowns.

‘UR Stars’ in the South
Ⓒ Sam Stephenson Photography

Support Worker Susana Moniz De Sousa said:

It’s very important for staff to get awards. It gives you motivation.

It makes you feel good because it shows that people appreciate what you do.

We are so very proud of all our colleagues for their fantastic work.

Are you the type of person to go the extra mile to make someone smile?

We’re recruiting in locations across England and Wales for support workers for people with disabilities and autism.

See our latest vacancies here.

  • Jenna Lloyd is Senior Content Officer for United Response.