Michaela Heaton crowned Best Home Care Co-ordinator

Described by judges as “a true inspiration to the care industry”, Belong at Home’s Michaela Heaton, from Springfield, Wigan, has won Best Home Care Co-ordinator in the Great British Care Awards 2013. The winners were announced at a ceremony in Grosvenor House Hotel, London, where TV presenter and care advocate Fiona Phillips presented the award.
Instrumental in developing the Belong at Home services in Wigan and Leigh since joining the team three years ago, Michaela has shown exceptional empathy for the needs of customers and tireless dedication to providing the best level of care.
A judge said of Michaela: “Inspired by having a close family member suffering from dementia, Michaela has determined to make a difference in the lives of the service users for whom she has responsibility and this she has achieved through dedication and innovation.”
Belong at Home is our bespoke domiciliary service, providing first class support to older people living in their own home. Michaela’s role is to ensure that a continuity of carers is achieved, to nurture trusting relationships and companionship.
Beyond personal care, the service also provides the support necessary to go out in the community and maintain hobbies, including access to the range of facilities and entertainment at Belong villages in Wigan and Atherton.
News of Michaela’s win came as no surprise to Tracy Paine, Operations Director at Belong, who said: “This award confirms what Belong customers and staff have known all along, that Michaela’s hard work and insight into the needs of older people are something truly out-of-the-ordinary. Belong is passionate about treating our customers as individuals, and we couldn’t ask for a finer ambassador in this respect than Michaela.”
Michaela said of her achievement: “I am overjoyed to win this award, but I couldn’t have done it alone. The success of Belong at Home is down to the passion and commitment demonstrated by each and every team member to promoting the values at the heart of Belong. The happiness of our customers is always my top priority, and I’m lucky to be supported by a team that feel the same way.”
The National Care Awards, supported by the Department of Health, aim to promote best practice in the sector and recognise individuals who go the extra mile. Michaela’s win at the prestigious awards ceremony in London follows on from her success at the regional Great North West Care Awards last year, where top Coronation Street stars David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh announced her initial success.
Pictured: Michaela Heaton (centre), accompanied by husband Darren, receive the award from Fiona Phillips.