A NORTHWICH support worker is in the running for a national care award in recognition of her work with carers across west Cheshire.

Yvonne Johnson works for Northwich-based Cheshire West Carer Support and has been shortlisted for a national Housing With Care award.

The awards are being held for the first time this year – with the awards ceremony taking place on June 9 at the London Marriott Hotel - to recognise and celebrate excellence in social care and supported and extra care housing.

Yvonne joined Making Space, an adult health and social care charity which runs the carer support service, in 2018.

She specialises in supporting older people, aged 65 and above, who care for adult children who have learning disabilities or are autistic.

The Care and Support Worker award recognises the significant role people like Yvonne play in providing a high standard of care.

Yvonne said: “My delight in being nominated for this award is to bring to attention and acknowledge the hard work of the ‘forgotten carers’ - the aging generation of parents and carers whose commitment to their loved ones is the truest meaning of unconditional love.”

Yvonne was nominated for the award by Cath Magee, regional head of operations for Making Space in Cheshire.

Cath says she nominated Yvonne because she is ‘so passionate’ about supporting the older carers she works with, many of whom are frail and have their own long-term health problems.

“Yvonne sees it as a privilege to be welcomed into people's homes,” Cath explained.

“She knows the struggles and hardships many carers of adult children have endured over decades.

“They tell her of their relationship difficulties, financial hardships, social isolation and how their whole life plan changed when they realised their child had additional needs.

“She knows that if it wasn’t for these carers, many of the adults they care for would not be living at home, where they want to be.

“Yet these are the same people who neglect themselves when it comes to regular health checks and attending planned hospital appointments.

“Yvonne makes regular welfare visits and calls, she supports carers with attending their own health appointments, provides a steady flow of information and advice and helps carers to be more connected with activities and people in their communities.

“She is determined that these carers feel valued and are recognised, and we think Yvonne should be valued and recognised too.”