Our 2020 Voyage Excellence Awards went virtual!
This year we swapped the glitz and glam of our usual event for a party at home for all of our deserving winners! Over 150 people tuned in with their cameras on, ready to celebrate in style!
Each of our finalists had received a hamper of goodies to enjoy the show, featuring treats and decorations!
The show was hosted by our CEO, Andrew Cannon and COO, Jayne Davey. They kicked things off with a gag, referencing the event being virtual after a challenging year…
“This year many of us have become very familiar with virtual meetings and online quizzes – but I can’t help feeling some of us are finding it harder to shake off those habits than others” – said Jayne as the camera panned down to reveal Andrew in his pyjama bottoms!
“I can only apologise! I’m not used to my legs being on camera!” – Andrew Cannon, CEO of Voyage Care.
After a magic trick from Andrew there was a few tear jerking videos showcasing the incredible work of our services this year:
Then it was time for the most exciting part of the evening: the awards!
There was 17 awards to present and the judging process this year was the hardest fought yet.
You can see all the winners below:
Branch of the Year
“They have skillfully balanced many competing demands, from developing new business to the little mater of dealing with the impact of COVID-19 – and they’ve achieved this by working closely as a team. Their approach
has won them praise both within Voyage Care and from our partners and they truly demonstrate our values in action in everything they do.”
- DCA North Wales (Wrexham)
Community Team of the Year
“When COVID-19 significantly affected our winning team’s ability to deliver their usual service, the team swung into action to make sure that the people they support were well supported. They changed their service offering and in many cases were redeployed to deliver care where it was needed – the changes didn’t detract from their team ethos and they went above and beyond to boost people’s morale at a truly difficult time.”
- Hinckley Day Care
Community Support Worker of the Year
“The winner of this award has an unwavering focus on the people we support and thinks creatively to deliver a truly person-centred experience. This creativity has come into its own through 2020’s lockdown and this person’s efforts have really kept spirits high through the tough times. Our winner’s attention to detail and tireless efforts in advocating for the people they support is remarkable and most certainly award-worthy.”
- Samantha Overall
Community Manager of the Year
“Our Community Manager of the Year is a perfect role model of our values; she empowers her team and leads with passion. Her open approach has been valued by the team around her through challenging times and has
helped them deal with the loss of a person they supported – and the care shown to this person’s family was exceptional. This person goes above and beyond to ensure the care and support her team deliver is person-centred
and every detail is considered.”
- Angela Miller
Care Home Team of the Year
“Family members and operational colleagues alike were quick to sing the praises of our Care Home Team of the Year, who wanted to share their appreciation for their can-do approach and the respect and care they show to each person they support. The Voyage Care ETHOS is central to this team’s approach and empowering people by removing barriers is a key focus for them. The warm and cheerful atmosphere enriches people’s lives and makes for a very happy home environment!”
- The Legard
Care Home Support Worker of the Year
“Our next winner is proof positive of the impact great care can have through the very darkest of times. Her deep understanding of the people she supports has had a remarkable impact and her dedication to respecting people’s wished was demonstrated in the sad circumstance of the passing of a person we support. Our winner went above and beyond to ensure this person never felt alone and truly exemplified our ETHOS values.”
- Victoria Sanford
Care Home Manager of the Year
“The passion, energy and determination of our next winner were praised by both family members and colleagues. They lead by example and are a constant source of support for their team, which came into its own this year as they faced the impact of COVID-19. The whole team work in a way that values people’s individual interests and goals and under this person’s leadership both they and the people they support have flourished.”
- Julie Gold
Specialist Team of the Year
“Our Specialist Team of the Year perfectly demonstrates the impact that high quality specialist care can have on people’s lives. Their focus on people’s choice and control in supporting them to live meaningful
and fulfilled lives is reaping rewards for the people in their care, along with learning together through the development of what is still a new service”
- Trinity Vicarage Road
Learner of the Year
“The team around our next winner have been delighted to see a surge in their confidence. Since joining Voyage Care they have shown continued commitment to personal development and have made great progress thanks to a committed and dedicated approach to their studies,
putting what they’ve learned into practice for the benefit of the people they support and their team.”
- Kayley Sharp
Newcomer of the Year
“If impact is what we’re looking for in new starters, then this person certainly fits the bill! Their considerable skill and the empathetic way they approach their work has made them invaluable to the people around them and the difference they have made to the lives of the people they support is a joy to see.”
- Stanislav Earl-Ivanov
Field Based Support Team Member of the Year
Cheerful, diligent, patent and hard-working – all words used to describe the winner of our Field Based Team Member of the Year for 2020. This person is an indispensable asset to the operations teams they support – their willingness to help and creative ‘outside of the box’ thinking is highly valued. They always make time for the people we support, listening to their needs and giving them choice.”
- Shane Ritson
Group Support Team of the Year
“The winner of this award has provided invaluable support and shared their considerable expertise with frontline teams, to the benefit of the care and support people receive. Their knowledge, passion and understanding of what frontline teams need is so valued amongst operational colleagues and their approach epitomises our ETHOS values.”
- Operational Support Team
Group Support Team Member of the Year
- Kelly Thomson
Operations Manager of the Year
“Our winner has expertly balanced the challenging demands posed by COVID-19 whilst responding to local needs and maintaining a steadfast focus on care quality. They have achieved growth in new areas and helped to mobilise the new business to ensure smooth transitions and great quality from the get-go. They are a source of support for their team and keep the values at the heart of their approach.”
- Angela Godsmark
Outstanding achievement award
“Choosing an Outstanding Achievement winner for this year was an impossible task. We would like to dedicate the 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award to each and every one of you, the Voyage Care family”
- Everyone!
COVID Heroes
“This year we felt it only right that our ETHOS awards should go to our COVID Heroes; people who demonstrated the ultimate commitment to keeping the people we support happy, active and most importantly, safe during the pandemic. The inspiring stories of staff moving into services and putting the wellbeing of the people we support ahead of their own are phenomenal – and there can be no better demonstration of our values in action.”
- Sue Frewer
- Mohima Begum
- Katrina Pender
- Rebecca Butler
- Georgina Booth
- Sofia Musangeya
- Maria Graham
The final award of the evening was the biggest one yet: the Sade Abayomi award!
This year’s winner is… Micheala Ryan.
“Micheala has gone above and beyond in responding to the challenges of COVID-19 and many other trials that have come her way. The organisation simply couldn’t have responded to the pandemic in they way we have without Micheala.”
Congratulations to all our winners! Although it was a different experience, we hope it was a special evening all the same.
We’re already planning an incredible return for 2021 and we look forward to celebrating with our 2020 finalists then!