Emily Cooper, a Senior Carer from Grosvenor House care home in St Leonards-on-Sea has been recognised in the national Care Awards. Competing for this awards with carers from 23 other care homes across the country, Emily was officially crowned the Care Professional of the Year 2020.
Due to the government imposed lockdown, Greensleeves Care Awards needed to be held as virtual events in each award category instead of the annual gala event held at Raddison Blu Hotel in London. However, this has not diminished the value of the individual awards or the excitement from winning the award.
Care Professional of the Year award aims to recognise a carer who is dedicated to providing consistent high-quality person-centred care, is a team player and regularly goes that extra mile.
Emily won the award based on her dedication to the residents and being an outstanding carer. Although she has worked as a senior carer at Grosvenor House for over 3 years, she has always been a carer. As a child she helped to care for a relative which gave her a good understanding and the importance of empathy with the residents.
Working with the residents at the care home brings her great satisfaction. Staff who nominated Emily noticed what a big difference she makes to the residents when she greets them with a cheerful smile, or comforts them with her soothing words. Demonstrating her dedication to the residents and the care home, she even had her long hair cut off during Care Home Open Day to raise funds for activities, while also donating her hair to a charity for making wigs for people who might have lost their hair due to cancer or another illness.
Amanda Newport, Grosvenor House Manager, said: “Emily is not only dedicated, she is committed in all aspects of her role as a senior carer with both residents and colleagues. Remaining both professional, yet caring and calm in any situation. She is approachable by residents, staff, families and friends at all times. These are just some of her attributes that make her worthy of Care Professional of the Year.”