Liz Smith Winner at the Great British Care Awards 2020 East of England
Consensus are delighted to share that Consensus Service Manager, Elizabeth (Liz) Smith of The Gables in Ely, Cambridgeshire, has been named the winner of the ‘Social Care Nurse Award’ in the East of England Regional finals of the Great British Care Awards 2020.
The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional events throughout England and are a celebration of excellence across the care sector. The awards pay tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work.
The Gala evening was held at the East of England Arena in Peterborough on place on Friday, 30th July, with over 200 finalists and their guests in attendance.
The ‘Social Care Nurse Award’ acknowledges the important role that specialist nurses working in the care sector have in promoting the emotional, physical, psychological and social health of the people who they support. The Award is given to an individual who is able to demonstrate how nursing skills integrate with social care.
In selecting Liz as the winner, the judges said, “Elizabeth was a delight to talk too with so many stories. Her enthusiasm and energy for her work in health and social care hasn’t diminished in all her 45 years. Working with individuals with learning disabilities and complex needs she continues to make big differences to their lives every day.”
Liz has been the service manager at The Gables, a learning disability service with nursing support for individuals with complex nursing needs, mental health needs for the last 11 years and a qualified Nurse since 1973, working in a variety of fields, including emergency nursing.
Throughout her career, Liz has always advocated for the people she supports, and her values are exemplary. She is hugely respected by all who know her, from external professionals and her own support team, to the individuals she supports and their families.
Liz was nominated for the Award by Operations Manager, Simon Potts, who praised Liz for driving ambitious results as well as setting the positive and inclusive tone of the service.
Simon said, “Liz is the most dedicated nurse I have ever met. Nothing comes before the people she supports, and her team and I believe she embodies everything that we aspire to be as professional’s in the social care sector. I am delighted that her lifelong commitment to nursing and the positive impact she has had on so many people’s lives throughout her career, has been recognised through this prestigious award.”
Liz said, I’m very honoured to have been named the East of England regional winner of the ‘Social Care Nurse Award’ in the Great British Care Awards 2020. From a very young age, I knew that becoming a nurse was my calling and being able to use my skills within a social care environment and empower people with learning disabilities and complex health needs to achieve their goals and enjoy a great quality of life, has been so rewarding.”
“I am now looking forward to taking part in the judging day for the National Finals and to joining the other regional finalists for the gala evening at the ICC in Birmingham on 25th September.”