A care worker at England’s largest not-for-profit provider of care and housing for older people has been shortlisted for a Great British Care Award [GBCA].
Kathleen Gaynor, a team leader at Anchor’s Nelson Lodge care home in Cambridgeshire, was nominated in the Frontline Leaders Award category for her extraordinary dedication and professionalism, particularly over the last year.
Kathleen’s personal dedication to the care sector is well known to her colleagues who have praised her leadership and the incredible lengths she goes to support her colleagues and residents.
During her three years at Nelson Lodge, Kathleen has been an exceptional leader managing the night shift, providing close one on one support to residents while also managing her team effectively. Over the last year, Kathleen has diligently handled matters that have arisen as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. She has ensured that residents under her care have remained safe and well looked after whilst ensuring the safety of her colleagues as well.
In particular, she has shown dedication towards helping those in her care to be as independent as possible, and to be a source of support and comfort when they need it. Kathleen’s colleagues have noted her ability to really get to know those under her care personally and highlighted this ability when they nominated her for a GBCA.
Having received her nomination, Kathleen was interviewed by GBCA judges and made the regional finals for The Frontline Leader Award. During her interview, she impressed the judges with her knowledge and experience of working in care and her continued passion and dedication to the sector.
Sean McCloskey, Kathleen’s colleague and manager of Anchor’s Nelson Lodge, was full of praise saying: “Kathleen has been an incredible asset to Nelson Lodge. She has managed the night team fantastically and has done amazing work.
“Her dedication to supporting her team and to the wellbeing of our residents have especially helped us with the challenges this year has brought us. Kathleen fully represents Anchor Hanover’s core values of Accountability, Respect, Courage and Honesty.”
Nelson Lodge resident Frances Kassalitus, 84, was also keen to praise Kathleen, saying: “Kathleen is just wonderful! She makes everyone feel welcome and safe. Kathleen manages to make time for everyone and gets to know them personally. It’s not been an easy time with everything that has been going on since March, but Kathleen and her team really do a great job of cheering us up!”
“Kathleen manages to make time for everyone and gets to know them personally. It’s not been easy being apart from my family since March, but Kathleen and her team really do a great job of cheering us up!”
Kathleen herself was honoured by her shortlisting, saying: “I’m very proud to have been nominated and deeply humbled. I think the last year has really shown how much dedication and determination those of us in the care sector have to provide others with help and support. I love doing what I do, there really is no feeling like helping our residents feel welcome and confident, I am very grateful to have been recognised and getting shortlisted is a lovely surprise after the year we’ve all had!
“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to my team as well, they’re such brilliant people to work with and I’m hugely proud of all them. I couldn’t ask for better colleagues really and this award is as much thanks to their professionalism and compassion as it is to anything else.”
