Last December we launched our ‘Covid-19 Heroes’ campaign and asked for nominations for those who’ve made a real difference to someone’s life during the pandemic, whether that’s a resident, a volunteer or member of staff. Our staff, customers and their families got in touch to tell us about those who stepped up over the course of 2020 and made a difference. The nominees all received Covid-19 Heroes certificates. Now, on the anniversary of the first lockdown, we’d like to share their names to let everyone know how great they’ve been.
Our second instalment is dedicated to staff who received nominations from customers and colleagues.
Care and support nominations
Sharon Wallington, housing delivery manager, nominated Nicola Hornsby, leasehold officer (care and support): "Nicola is consistent in supporting customers and is just as committed to supporting her colleagues, manager and the business in fulfilling the requirements of her role. Nicola has gone out of her way to support her customers."
Sharon also nominated another care and support leasehold officer Andrea Scarborough, saying: "Andrea has checked in on all her customers, but especially for those who were particularly vulnerable to make sure that their basic needs were met, from shopping to supporting their mental welfare. By making sure that she listens to them, Sharon has provided much needed reassurance."
Bryony Mitchell, CQC compliance manager in care and support, nominated Theresa O'Neill, activities co-ordinator in care and support: "Theresa has been tireless in trying to ensure customers have access to meaningful and fun activities during Covid-19. She has continued to deliver sessions at extra care services where it’s safe to do so but has also come up with lots of great ideas for activities customers can do in their flats and provided resources for them to do so. Theresa has maintained contact with some of our more vulnerable and isolated customers by phone and has supported staff teams by getting customers access to technology and equipment to help them stay in touch with people during the pandemic.. "
Housing assistant Eve Eldred, nominated colleague Sonja Sampson who's a supported housing officer. "Five Fields Court in Essex had no cases of Covid-19 and we believe this is due to Sonja’s diligence and hard work in making sure everything necessary was in place, even though it meant some tough decisions and choices in difficult times. Sonja made sure we were all safe, staff, residents and visitors included."
Activities officer Marian Howell gave her nomination to domiciliary care officer Joanna Burgess. Marian says: "Joanna has been doing so much haircutting/dressing for residents during the pandemic. Our hairdresser has not been coming to Mildmay since the pandemic began, so Joanna has been bridging the gap and supporting residents to get their haircut. It was Joanna how styled one resident’s hair so that she’d look nice on her 100th birthday.
Adriana Demian, Office services officer, nominated Comfort Badmus, a bank worker in care and support: "Comfort has been a shining light throughout the challenges presented by Covid-19, remaining a wonderful source of inspiration and joy, which has an uplifting impact on residents and staff alike. She’s remained strong in the face of adversity, resilient and cheerful. She has a profound incentive and willingness to go the extra mile."
Murdo Maciver, resource centre manager, nominated Funke Johnson and Stella Nkwocha, two resource centre officers, as well as bank support officer Josephine Mackay. "Elgin Close Resource Centre had to close at the end of March due to Covid-19 and our customers have had to remain at home and shield instead. The team have made over 3,500 welfare calls since we closed and continue with these daily until we can reopen. Funke, Stella and Josephine have had to reinvent our activities timetable to one that works remotely to ensure our customers do not become socially isolated or lonely.
Some of the feedback we have had:
- I cannot thank you enough for all the support and care shown towards me and my wife during this difficult time. I always look forward to the phone calls, I am truly very grateful. My wife loves the MP3 player with the songs that you provided for her. Thank you – SB
- Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the phone calls and for arranging the prayer sessions for me. I am so grateful – MC
- Thank you for keeping my dad going with the phone calls every day and providing him with artwork to keep him busy at home in this difficult time – BG
Another Covid-19 Heroes nomination went to the staff at Conrad Court and comes from Carla Morgan, daughter of Ruby, customer at Conrad Court extra care service scheme who says "All staff (care, housing, cleaners and catering) have worked well in these challenging times, supporting residents. They have:
- Brought happiness
- Created an environment as ‘normal’ as could be
- Been supportive and compassionate
- Still brought Christmas cheer to homes and building
Beverly Jordan, housing delivery manager nominated Toyin Adeosun, supported housing officer, saying "Dealing with very vulnerable and at-risk residents at two of our shared houses in Brent, Toyin consistently went out of her way to assist support workers to deliver food parcels, as well as making regular house visits to check on residents’ wellbeing. Despite Toyin living a substantial distance away from the properties, she made several visits per week in order to make residents feel secure and made sure she was available to them during this worrying and concerning time."
Office nominations
Celia Stocks, executive assistant, nominated Murdo Maciver, resource centre manager, and service development officer Lucy Booth: "During March, April and May they tirelessly interviewed candidate after candidate (between them up to 40 in a week) to ensure that our extra care services were adequately staffed at the peak of the pandemic. They were both good humoured, patient and a joy to work with throughout this process. Without their determination to get the right people through the recruitment process, we could have been understaffed at a critical time in a number of our schemes."
Lucy Gray, deputy company secretary, nominated two of our office services managers Frazer Day and Lisha Woodstock: "They seamlessly and with initiative kept the world working for all staff, allowing staff to feel supported and engaged, providing equipment and post in a totally new way, sending locker contents as needed and working with housing and finance in particular to ensure tenants and residents were supported."
Thank you to all nominees and those who provided the nominations.