‘Exceptional’ Belong Crewe named national winners at Great British Care Awards

Compassionate Crewe carers at Belong have been announced as winners of the Palliative Carer Award at this year’s Great British Care Awards (GBCAs), recognising their outstanding work supporting their customers during their end of life, as well as in their sensitivity meeting the needs of family members.
Led by Fern Yarnwood, lead senior support worker, the dedicated ten strong team at the not-for-profit dementia specialist’s Britannia House took home the prestigious national award, having already won the closely fought North West regional distinction.
Speaking of their decision, the judging panel comprising independent industry professionals, said: “The team go above and beyond to ensure their end-of-life care is the best it can be.” Providing examples, including Britannia’s thoughtful memory boxes full of photos and a signed card to families when their loved one has passed, they continued: “These little steps make their palliative care exceptional, and much deserving of this accolade.”
The colleagues work within one of six ‘households’ at Belong Crewe, with each providing 24-hour care to small cohorts of residents who share open plan kitchen, dining and living spaces, creating family-sized communities in the wider village. Carers meet their needs, including specialist dementia and nursing care, whilst supporting them to live an active later life with a comprehensive programme of activities and experiences.
This year, the award category is sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as it continues to help fill vacancies across the adult social care sector and encourage people to explore the many rewarding roles within care at leading providers, like Belong.
Sharon Haigh, community support worker at the organisation’s Belong at Home service, also made the national finals shortlist for the Home Care Worker award. Meanwhile, a number of the Belong Crewe colleagues achieved regional shortlisting places for awards in dementia care, nursing, and activity provision.
Cheryl Davies, general manager at Belong Crewe, said: “We’re thrilled for the Britannia team for being named Palliative Carer of the year. As the judges recognised, their work helping our customers to live comfortably and with dignity at their end of their lives, really is truly exceptional – congratulations!”
Last year, Belong Crewe was reaccredited the Gold Standards Framework Platinum status for end-of-life care. It is one of only two care providers in Cheshire to hold the certification – the other being sister village, Belong Macclesfield.
The Britannia team at Belong Crewe, recipients of the national Palliative Carer Award, Great British Care Awards 2023:
• Fern Yarwood, lead senior support worker
• Lauren Drummond
• Chelsea Hinett
• Abbey Mason
• Jackie May
• Paige O’Neil
• Louise Pepper
• Kelsie Proudlove
• Darren Robinson
• Karen Taylor
Pictured: Support workers at Belong Crewe celebrate their Great British Care Awards national win.