OUTSTANDING care workers from across the county were honoured at the Surrey Care Awards in a gala ceremony held at Epsom Downs racecourse. These awards are the ’Oscars’ for care workers and Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society was thrilled to win the category for Involving Friends, Family and Community.

This award recognises the involvement the society has with the community, such as providing placements for students at Farnham College, joining in with the Farnham Carnival, running tea tents and tombola stalls at events and giving training in wheelchair awareness.

The society has more than 80 volunteers of all ages who provide a connection to the community for residents and assist with outings and day to day activities.

Families also play their part by involving themselves in society events such as hog roasts, family Christmas lunches, fireworks evening and so forth. The society was also extremely proud of staff members Tammie Baker and Mike Maher who were finalists in two other categories – Frontline Leader of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to Social Care.

The awards are organised by Surrey Care Association which represents the interests of more than 700 independent providers of care and support services in the county, and these awards recognise the hard work and dedication of people working in a wide variety of jobs in adult social care.

The finalists were nominated by their colleagues with glowing and often moving testimonials from service users and their families.