The Housekeeping Team at the Belong Care Village on Lower Street in Newcastle-under-Lyme are celebrating after being crowned Team of the Year at the not-for-profit care provider’s annual Champion Awards ceremony.

Elizabeth Hardman was also presented with the Business Administration diploma at the event, which was held at the historic Vale Royal Abbey in Northwich, Cheshire, to celebrate the achievements of colleagues right across the organisation, whether for professional qualifications or as proud recipients of Champion Awards.

Finalists were interviewed by an independent judging panel of social care experts, who put them through their paces as part of the assessment process ahead of the event. Speaking about the Housekeeping Team, they said: “They are an enthusiastic, dynamic and compassionate team with a clear focus on Belong’s person-centred approach.”

Mentor of the Year Award went to Rachael Gray, Practice Development Facilitator for ‘Belong at Home’, who supports the village’s home care team, whilst village trainer, Dav Sherwin, was also part of the Practice Development Facilitator team who won the Embracing Change Award, in recognition of their impact on organisational development and service improvement.

Alison Peake, General Manager of Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme said: “We are so proud of our housekeeping team, and indeed the whole team at the village. To be recognised at the first Champion Awards ceremony since our opening is a sign that our young community is already thriving.”

The ceremony was made possible thanks to sponsors Barons, Birchall Food Service, Care Shop, CPC and Search Healthcare.

Earlier in the year, Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme won the award for Outstanding Support for Apprenticeship Training in the Newcastle-under-Lyme College Awards and the RICS Midlands Award for Community Benefit. Its popular Bistro also won recognition as Café of the Year in the LUX Life Restaurant & Bar Awards 2019.