HINDHEAD’S Signature Moorlands Lodge activities manager Linda Booth was named Unsung Hero for the outstanding work she does at the Surrey Care Awards.

General manager Sarah Moor said: “Linda works tirelessly to offer a huge range of activities for all our residents as well as those living with dementia.

“She has built connections in the community so we have been able to offer aqua aerobics, tea dances, theatre trips and the hire of a holiday cottage by the sea for our Livingstone residents to enjoy.

“A very worthy winner and we are so proud of her.”

Outstanding care staff and care teams from across the county were honoured at the ceremony and actress Jenny Seagrove presented the awards.

The master of ceremonies for the evening was BBC Surrey presenter Sylvie Blackmore and guest of honour was the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey Michael More-Molyneux.

The Surrey Care Awards recognise the hard work and dedication of people working in a wide variety of jobs in adult social care including dementia care, caring for people in their own homes and caring for adults with disabilities.

The 65 finalists for the Surrey Care Awards 2016 were nominated by their colleagues, with glowing and often moving testimonials from the people they support and their families.

This year there were 18 awards categories including Unsung Hero, Beyond the Call of Duty, Care Newcomer, Excellence in Dementia Care and Outstanding Contribution to Social Care.

In addition, the judges also gave a special award in the Excellence in Dementia Care category and the Chairman’s Award recognised a provider who was overcoming the challenges of recruiting staff in the county.

Surrey Care Association chief executive Erica Lockhart said: “This is our eighth annual Surrey Care Awards ceremony celebrating the really excellent care that goes on day in, day out. Social care staff are so often unsung heroes and we want to change that by recognising their achievements.

“Care providers are facing a real challenge with staff recruitment in Surrey, so our awards also highlight the wide range of rewarding employment and career development opportunities that exist within our local care sector.”

The Surrey Care Awards 2016 were supported by Platinum level sponsors Welmede Housing Association; Gold level sponsors Ashcroft Care Services, and Silver level sponsors The Meath Epilepsy Charity, Connect2Care and Hit Training.