Support worker wins award and shortlisted for another for her community initiatives

Gemma Newstead, a carer support worker at our Barnsley Carers Service, was given the Community Integration Award at our Making Space Colleague Awards.

She was recognised for her “dedicated, persistent and patient” work to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers in Barnsley can access the service, which offers unpaid carers a wide range of practical support.

Gemma was presented with a certificate and trophy by Andy Grant - a motivational speaker, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran and the world’s fastest single leg amputee in the world over 10KM - at an award ceremony at the Manchester Mercure Hotel.

“It is amazing to be recognised for doing the hard work that is necessary to ensure all carers are able to access services,” says Gemma. “It is a great feeling for me to have been chosen as a deserving person for the community integration award. Thank you.”

Gemma was nominated for the award by her team leader Julia Goddard: “Gemma’s dedication, persistence and patience has helped us to ensure asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants do not miss out on the support we provide,” said Julia.

“She’s worked with other agencies to enable more people to access Barnsley Carers Service, which supports unpaid carers with information, advice, confidential one-to-one support, help with finances and accommodation, group sessions, wellbeing, and much more. Gemma has worked hard on this project on her own initiative and is very passionate about reaching people who would otherwise miss out.”

Over 250 people were nominated for the Making Space awards, with three individuals or teams shortlisted for each award. The judges – external assessor Corinne Wainwright, and Alison Everett from Skills for Care – said Gemma’s initiatives had ensured access to vital support for people who would otherwise not have been reached.

“Gemma identified the need for specialist support for refugees and asylum seekers and forged relationships with organisations including Refugee Council, Barnsley Immigration Team, hospitals, adult social care and more too numerous to mention,” they said. “She has become a valued and trusted member of the community.”

The inaugural Making Space Colleague Awards have been established to recognise and pay tribute to individuals and teams who inspire others, go above and beyond expectations and make a real difference to the lives of the people we support.

Gemma has been shortlisted for a second prestigious accolade. She has been shortlisted for the Great British Care Awards (GBCA) ‘Care Innovator’ award. The award is given to a person who shows “exceptional entrepreneurial skills in identifying, developing, implementing and establishing a new service.”

Gemma has been shortlisted for the York region, with winners announced at a ceremony in York in November. Regional winners will automatically be entered into the national finals, which will take place in March 2023.