Announcing our Care Professional of the Year
Our Care Professional of the Year revealed!
Announcing our Care Professional of the Year is a key date in the calendar. It’s a chance for us to shine a light on the positive difference that our Care Professionals make for the older people they support and the communities they are part of.
We are delighted to reveal this year’s winner: the wonderful Gail Colby from Home Instead Norwich.
In the four years that Gail has been part of Home Instead, she has been a blessing for her clients, an inspiration for her fellow Care Professionals, and a pillar in the community. Gail was praised for her “unwavering dedication” to those she cares for, with one example of transforming the life of a client who had fallen into isolation and wasn’t eating properly. Gail worked closely with him and within days, the client was smiling, dressed and engaged. He even asked to sit at the table for lunch. Gail offered to cook him a hot meal on each visit and his response was simply ‘wonderful.’
Gails standout moments
What also stands out is the cooking workshops she delivered for Care Professionals, giving them tips on how to prepare meals for clients with food they typically have in. The franchise office team were so impressed that they incorporated it into new starter training.
When Gail took over the local Companionship Café, she revitalised it with her enthusiasm and even doubled attendance. The cafés bring older people in the community together, and Gail has given so many people the opportunity to meet likeminded people, with one attendee commenting:
“Gail is very helpful and inclusive, she makes everybody feel like they belong here.”
Gail was presented with her award by Dr Jane Townson, CEO of the Homecare Association, at London’s St. Pancras hotel. Joining them were the two other finalists, Samantha Bray and Molly Maskell, who have also made an immeasurable difference to the older people they support.
Our other amazing finalists.
Samantha, a Care Professional at Home Instead Stockport, demonstrates the commitment and encouragement that so many of our clients show. When one of her clients experienced a decline in mobility, Samantha supported him in using a stand aid hoist to comfortably transfer to his wheelchair for several hours. She has been with him through his lowest moments, but her positive attitude and the series of small goals she set him have helped him grow in confidence and independence. He commented:
“Sam will always be my number one Care Professional. She has helped me so much over the years and given me freedom again.”
Finalist Molly, who is from Home Instead Weston-super-Mare, doesn’t only provide whole-hearted care, but also forward-thinking creativity to help keep clients physically and emotionally well. Having learnt about ‘worry worms’ (small, crocheted fidget toys designed for people to share their anxieties with) Molly saw potential in this for people with dementia and made them for some of her clients. Thanks to her exceptional handiwork, Molly has helped clients feel calmer and more relaxed; something handmade from somebody who cares is a great source of comfort for them. One of her clients says:
“She’s like a granddaughter to me, but I know she’s my carer, and I always look forward to seeing her.”
Celebrating our inspiring Care Professionals
Gail, Samantha and Molly each embody the very best of what it means to be a Home Instead Care Professional. Their stories are a powerful reminder that care is about more than the day-to-day support; it’s also about building trust, fostering connection and helping people live a happy life at home. All three are a fantastic asset to the communities they live and work in, and we’re incredibly proud that they are sharing their care journeys with us.
Find out more about working as a Care Professional at Home Instead.
