A 77 year old care worker from Hayling Island collected a top award on Thursday 28th November at the Community Integrated Care 25th Anniversary Awards a star-studded national ceremony that celebrated the quarter century history of one of the UKs biggest charities.
Sheila Cooper who is a Support Worker at Seafarers Walk a care service for adults with complex learning disabilities scooped the prestigious Champion Colleague award in recognition of her tireless work ethic and long contribution to the charity. At the age of 77 Sheila is the charitys oldest employee.
Sheila collected his trophy from Coronation Street favourite Julie Hesmondhalgh also known as Hayley Cropper who hosted the event.
The glittering ceremony which was held at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday drew together over 450 people from across the UK to mark the 25th anniversary of the charity and featured a live performance from X-Factor star Mary Byrne.
Community Integrated Care was formed in 1988 to support people with learning disabilities to move on from institutionalised hospitals to living in the community. It now supports over 2500 people across the UK including hundreds of people in the South East of England with learning disabilities mental health concerns autism and age-related needs. It employs over 5000 staff across the country.
Hayling Island was also represented by Stephanie Bradley who is a tenant at Seafarers Walk and has complex learning disabilities. Stephanie was shortlisted for the Personal Achievement Award in recognition of her development of greater communications skills and progress in living independently with the support of Community Integrated Care.
Neil Matthewman Community Integrated Cares Chief Executive says: For a charity to deliver life-enhancing care and support in the community for 25 years is an incredible achievement. Our success has only been made possible because of the dedicated and ambitious work of incredible people like Sheila.
My sincerest congratulations to Sheila and Stephanie as well as our other finalists and winners who truly deserved their moment in the spotlight
Julie Hesmondhalgh says: It was a great honour to host the Community Integrated Care 25th Anniversary Awards helping to recognise the great work that goes on at the charity. I was delighted to meet many people supported by the charity and its staff and had a wonderful night. Many congratulations to everybody who was deservedly recognised at the event.
