Downpatrick’s Finnebrogue Woods opened its autumnal doors to warmly welcome and celebrate South Eastern Trust Social Care Workers for their on-going commitment and dedicated long service to families.
Staff came together to recognise Social Care staff whose dedication, compassion and professionalism make such a difference to so many lives.
South Eastern Trust Director of Children’s Services & Executive Director of Social Work, Lyn Preece, Director of Adult Services, Rachel Gibbs along with the Chief Social Worker for Northern Ireland, Aine Morrison, joined colleagues from the Northern Ireland Social Care Council and the Department of Health to highlight the importance of recognising, valuing and supporting our Social Care practitioners within the Trust.
Celebrating 40 years as a Day Care Support Worker, working with adults with a learning disability, Angela Cleland shared how much satisfaction she gets from her role. “The Service Users and parents appreciate all the work and effort put into their daily programmes. The Trust is a supportive organisation which allows me to do work that is so enjoyable. It is evident the impact we make.”
Lyn Preece described how Social Care staff, “Are at the heart of services and the reason so many individuals and families live safer, more fulfilled and more dignified lives every single day.”
Lyn spoke passionately about how Trust Social Care Workers, “Do extraordinary things without fanfare.”
“You are the quiet heroes who make an enormous difference in people’s lives, one moment, one conversation and one act of kindness at a time. Whether you work directly with individuals providing care and support or you are part of the teams that keep everything running behind the scenes, each of you play a vital role,” said Lyn.
South Eastern Trust Head of Service for Social Work and Social Care, Learning and Improvement, Elaine Pollock added how a significant number of staff also achieved Vocational Awards and throughout the morning were commended for their dedication to improving their knowledge, skills and, “Ultimately the quality of care for those who receive services, echoing the values, principles and ethos of our Trust”.
Elaine continued, “Those responsible for delivering, supporting and assessing these qualifications were also acknowledged due to the high standards set to strengthen our workforce.
“We recognised the remarkable achievement of those who had achieved 40 years plus service in the Trust. As an organisation and for those who are supported through our services, we are privileged to have such dedicated, loyal and experienced practitioners who inspire, care and support others around them,” said Elaine.