A care home deputy manager who has dedicated more than 20 years to supporting residents and developing colleagues is celebrating after being named a finalist in three major care awards.
Sophie Moody, Deputy Manager at St Mary’s Riverside Care Home in Hessle, has been shortlisted for Deputy Manager of the Year at the National Care Awards, The Frontline Leaders Award at the Great British Care Awards and Care Employee of the Year at the Caring UK Awards.
The three nominations recognise different aspects of Sophie’s contribution to the home, from supporting residents and their families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives to mentoring colleagues and helping develop the next generation of care leaders.
Sophie has worked alongside Riverside Home Manager Laura Barnsley for more than 20 years, building a longstanding professional partnership. Despite having the experience and qualifications to progress further into management, Sophie has chosen to remain a Deputy Manager because the role allows her to combine leadership with remaining closely involved in the everyday lives of residents and colleagues.
One example highlighted in her nominations involved a frail resident whose daughter was receiving end-of-life care at a hospice in London.
Knowing how important it was for the resident to see her daughter, Sophie accompanied her on the train journey from Yorkshire to London, ensuring she was able to make the visit safely and with someone she knew and trusted.
Sophie has also come into Riverside on her days off to spend time with residents approaching the end of their lives and regularly supports relatives as their loved ones’ needs change, particularly families affected by dementia.
Sophie said: “To be shortlisted for three different awards is something I never expected and I’m incredibly proud, but everything we do at Riverside is about the residents and the people around them.
“I’ve always wanted to stay close to residents, families and the team. Being Deputy Manager gives me the opportunity to support people directly while also helping colleagues develop and become more confident in their own roles.
“Some moments stay with you throughout your career. Being able to help a resident make such an important journey to see her daughter is one of those moments. For me, care is about understanding what matters to somebody and doing everything you reasonably can to make it possible.”
Sophie’s nominations also recognise her contribution to developing colleagues.
For the past three years she has mentored Kathryn “Kizzy” Bateman, supporting her progression from Care Assistant to Senior Care Assistant and then Team Leader. Kizzy is now considering progressing to Deputy Manager herself.
Sophie has continued her own professional development throughout her career, progressing through Health and Social Care qualifications from Levels 2 to 4 before completing a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care.
St Mary’s Riverside is rated Outstanding overall by the Care Quality Commission, including Outstanding ratings for Caring and Well-led.
Laura Barnsley, Home Manager of St Mary’s Riverside, said: “To be shortlisted in three different national awards is a fantastic achievement. I’ve worked alongside Sophie for more than 20 years, so I’ve seen first-hand the enormous contribution she makes to the lives of residents, their families and the teams she supports.
“Sophie is an experienced leader, but what makes her special is that she has never allowed her seniority to distance her from residents or the team. Whether she is supporting a resident through an important moment in their life, reassuring a family or helping a colleague progress in their career, Sophie is always willing to step forward.
“We’re incredibly proud of her and delighted to see that commitment recognised by three separate judging panels.”
Sophie will have three opportunities to turn her finalist recognition into an award, with the Great British Care Awards Yorkshire & Humber regional finals taking place in Leeds and the National Care Awards ceremony in London on Friday 6th November. The Caring UK Awards will then take place in Leicester on Thursday 3rd December.
St Mary’s Riverside Care Home, in Hessle, is operated by St Mary’s Care Homes and provides residential, dementia and respite care. For more invitation or to make an enquiry, visit www.stmarysgroup.co.uk/st-marys-riverside