THE finalists of the Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards 2022 have been announced.

The awards are being staged by Newsquest – publishers of the Worcester News, Malvern Gazette, Evesham Journal, Bromsgrove & Droitwich and Redditch Advertisers and The Shuttle in conjunction with the University of Worcester.

Judging is now complete and the three finalists of the Care Hero category can be revealed.

The Care Hero award is kindly sponsored by Worcestershire County Council which commissions and provides social care and support for residents and their families. The council aims to enable, or re-able people to live the best life they can, and as far as possible the life they want to live, through a person-centred approach.

The awards will culminate in a celebrity-backed virtual ceremony streamed on the Worcester News Facebook page on Thursday, October 13 at 7pm when the winner of each category will be announced.

Tia Graham who works at Chandos Lodge in Stourbridge Road, Hagley joined the team in July 2020 at the age of 18.

She has achieved her Level 3 in Health and Social Care and was looking for a new career path. 

She has been described in the nomination as someone ‘born to work in care and look after others’, ‘a mature head on young shoulders’ and someone who touches hearts.

The nomination reads: “She sees the person within as an individual and cares for each and every one of our residents.”

Megan Salter cared for a man in the last stages of vascular dementia for over 12 months. In the nomination, she is described as going above and beyond with her care for him.

The daughter of the man said: “Meg cares for my dad like he was her own father. Whilst other carers within this organisation are good, Meg is the one that my dad always feels totally comfortable with. 

"She has such a caring nature about her. My dad  (I am sure) is aware of what is happening and is so frightened but she makes him feel totally at ease.”

Kelly Riley and Evesham Team (Social Care Academy) has been nominated for being ‘creative and hardworking’.

The nomination describes her as ‘always being on top of things and working under pressure, guiding her team to understand good quality care’. She is further described as ‘always attentive to detail, a good team leader and always willing to help’.

“During the pandemic and these difficult times we are facing with the care crisis, Kelly has ensured that all service users in her team are well cared for and care is delivered timely,” the nomination reads.