Hull City Council have co-hosted the first ever Caring, Helpful Amazing People (CHAMPs) Awards, recognising unpaid carers for their hard work, kindness and resilience.
The awards also recognise the professionals and services that offer help to unpaid carers in Hull.
Hull City Council chairs the Hull Carers Partnership Board and commissions the City Healthcare Partnership to deliver the Carers Information and Support Service (CISS). The board, alongside CISS, played host to the first ever Hull Carers Award ceremony this week on Thursday 23 November.
The awards ceremony also coincided with Carers Rights Day.
Julie Bahn, Service Manager, Carers Information and Support Service said: “Working on the CHAMPs awards is an absolute privilege. A discussion within the Carers Partnership Board meeting and a suggestion from one of the members who has lived experience as a carer led to collaboration and consultation with carers in Hull, resulting in an award ceremony named by carers themselves.”
“We know that often it is difficult for people to recognise themselves as a carer as the support they give to a loved one increases over time. However, by shining a light on carers in Hull and celebrating the amazing contributions they make, we hope to help others to identity as a carer and access support too.”
Gina Walker, Parent Carer for 25 years, said: “A carer is an unassuming individual who rarely complains about what they are going through themselves but will fight tooth and nail for the person they care for. They give the illusion it’s not hard and they can cope – we are our own worst enemies. The CHAMPS for me is giving carers the recognition they would never ask for but definitely deserve.”
Here’s this year’s CHAMPS Award winners:
- Adult unpaid carer: Pam Kelsey
- Parent carer: Katie Middleton
- Sandwich carer: Joanne Russell
- Paid carer: Gail Ozkan
- Community Carers Champion: Michelle Ditchburn
- Young Carer: Baiylan David Parker Ellerington
- Carer of the Year: Sophie Feve
To find out more about CISS and how they can help, visit the website.
