Over 1200 nominations have been received for this year’s Proud to Care Cornwall awards, with actor and comedian Sally Phillips confirmed to be co-presenting the awards ceremony.
Within the period of 5 weeks starting in May this year, over 1200 nominations were submitted, recognising paid care workers in over 150 care settings, proving that excellence in the profession is widely seen and recognised.
Cornwall Council Cabinet Lead for Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships, Cllr Jim McKenna said:
“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of nominations we’ve received and it is a true testament to the quality of care people receive in Cornwall.
“The hard part of short listing down to three in each category has now begun and I’m looking forward to the event next month, planned to recognise and reward the sector for their vital contribution.”
Following last year’s surprise extra special guest and presenter, actor Warwick Davis, this year Sally Phillips, English actor, writer, comedian, producer and director will be welcomed to Cornwall to present the ceremony and hand out the awards.
Sally, well-known for her part as Shazzer in The Bridget Jones movies and many other films and TV series’, has been a long-time supporter of the care sector.
She has three neurodivergent children. Two like their privacy, but Olly who has Down syndrome and Autism is becoming a self-advocate for people with Down syndrome. In 2016 Sally and Olly made a documentary ‘A World Without Down's Syndrome?’ with director Clare Richards which won the Radio Times Readers Award and Sanford St Martin award for the Best single documentary.
She is proud to be a joint patron of the Down syndrome Association with her son Olly, as well as patron of The Brentford Penguins, Brentford FC’s Down Syndrome Team and Josephine and Jack, a charity that provides sex and relationship advice and education to adults with learning disabilities.
Cllr McKenna added:
“We’re very pleased that Sally, who has helped to advocate for adults with learning disabilities for many years, as well as raise awareness of the challenges they face, has agreed to attend this year’s event,
“It is of vital importance for Cornwall, and the sector as a whole that we continue to support and shine a light on the care sector, not only for the value they provide to residents, but also in recognition of the wider economic value of care.
“The recent publication of the Alma Economics report, highlighted the economic and social value of the adult social care sector, revealing that it contributes approximately £991 million in economic value and supports around 22,700 full-time equivalent jobs across Cornwall.”
The nominations are now being shortlisted and then the three for each category will be selected to attend the event where they will be treated to dinner, followed by the award ceremony, ending the evening with dancing.
Cllr McKenna continued:
“Recognising people in the care sector is one part of our adult social care workforce strategy. We are also working on a range of initiatives that we know our care sector needs, looking at how we can equip them with the right skills, training, and better pay, to name a few.”