Calderdale support worker shortlisted for prestigious care award

Ruth Booth is a support worker at our Carers’ Wellbeing Service in Calderdale, which works with local and rural communities to help carers access the support and services they need to be able to care for their loved ones at home.

She has been shortlisted for the ‘Care Innovator’ award, which is given to a person who shows “exceptional entrepreneurial skills in identifying, developing, implementing and establishing a new service.”

Ruth was recognised by the judges for the courses and information about benefits she designs and produces for colleagues and carers, which help people to identify and claim the essential financial support available. She has been shortlisted for the York region, and if she takes home the trophy in November, she’ll go on to the national final in March 2023.

“I am very proud to have been nominated for a Great British Care Award,” says Ruth. “We have a great team here at The Carers Wellbeing Service, and have been encouraged by our manager Lydia, and by Making Space as an organisation, to deliver support for carers that extends beyond the usual services.

“With ongoing cuts to welfare benefits and closure of many services that had previously offered benefit advice, we knew that carers were losing out on the financial support that they were entitled to. Being able to use my skills to deliver advice to unpaid carers, which then naturally extended to training colleagues within Making Space who could then become Benefit Champions, ensures that carers receive the support they often desperately need.”

Ruth was nominated for the award by her team leader, Lydia Woodall. “Ruth’s previous role was in welfare benefits, and it’s an area she’s incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about,” she says.

“She’s designed courses covering carer benefits, attendance allowance and personal independence payment and delivers them to staff in Calderdale, Bradford, Barnsley and Doncaster. When staff attend Ruth’s courses, they gain valuable knowledge they can apply to their roles to support individuals. Attendance allowance and pension credit are very under-claimed, so Ruth’s courses mean people receive valuable financial help to improve their quality of life that they may otherwise miss out on.

“Ruth has also developed sessions for carers, and spends lots of time researching, sourcing guidance and finding specific reading for those who request it. She really enjoys delivering these sessions and when people tell her their success stories it makes her day.”

Phil Orton chief people officer said: "We have such a dedicated team of carers and support workers here at Making Space who are constantly looking for ways to improve the lives of the people they work with, and Ruth is a perfect example of the ‘putting people first’ attitude we value,” he says.

“Ruth has proactively used her knowledge and experience to develop a very valuable service for carers, and works tirelessly to ensure that the information she shares is up-to-date and able to benefit carers and their loved ones. We are incredibly appreciative of all the hard work that Ruth puts in behind the scenes, and we wish her the very best of luck with this award.”

The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional events throughout the UK and are a celebration of excellence across the care sector. They pay tribute to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work, from frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training and innovation.