Carer of the Year loves her job so much she'd 'do it for free'

The winner of the Atlantic Care ‘Carer of the Year’, Angela Warde, loves her job so much she says she’d do it for free.

Angela was speaking on Tuesday as colleagues gathered for a celebration in her honour.

Angela has been a full-time carer for just about two years. Having found a passion for it while caring for her late father-in-law, she decided to make it official. The career of the year award is now in its second year. Each month Atlantic Care select a ‘Carer of the month’ then the names go into a raffle to pick who will take the top prize.

Angela wins a seven-night stay in a villa in Spain as well as flight vouchers.

Balloons dotted the room along with a colourful bouquet of flowers and everyone in the office was gathered around ready to congratulate their colleague. Following the presentation of her award by managing director Jonathan Acton, and regional manager for the midlands, Mick Garvin, Mick read out some notes sent by the families and clients that Angela works with.

Comments included: “I can’t speak highly enough of her. She’s incredibly diligent, always going above and beyond for those in her care. She has a genuine kindness and honesty that makes her a joy to work with. I’m thrilled that her hard work has been recognised.” The husband of one of her clients also sent in their compliments saying he was, “especially impressed by the time and effort angel took to truly get to know her”.

“If she treats all her clients that way, the award makes perfect sense.”

Following the receipt of her award Angela said: “I’d do it for free.”

In many ways her prize was perfect, as she’s had to skip holidays for the last few years due to her commitment to her role as a carer.

“I love what I do, I absolutely love it,” said Angela. “Without even getting this, I love it, I’d stay up morning till night, I just enjoy it.

She began a caring role two years ago and during the ceremony, she said: “I only wished I’d done it sooner. “I was working in retail for 30 five years in Heatons and Sports Direct.

“I was looking after my father-in-law and mother-in-law and I took time out to do that. My mother-in-law went into a nursing home and I was part-time and now I’m working full-time, and I really do love it. I enjoy it because you get to know people more.

“I am looking forward to this holiday and I will enjoy it.”

Jonathan Acton had also worked with Angela some 20 years ago. “It’s fantastic, and to be a caregiver, it’s a calling as well as a vocation.

“I’ve been a carer myself for many years so I know exactly what it entails, I know the dedication, the sacrifices you have to make and I think It’s amazing to see with so many wonderful caregivers, there were at least 12 to 13 people shortlisted for this award. “They’re so dedicated and they respect all our core values of dignity, integrity, compassion and excellence and empathy, and they’re just amazing people.

“I’m very proud of Angela, she’s a lady I worked with for many years, she was caring, and a nice person then and she still is. And it’s great to see she’s happy in her role as a caregiver. I was impressed with Angela when she said she’s had to cancel holidays for the last three years because she was caring for her father-in-law.

“Obviously, she’s a natural caregiver so I’m especially delighted for her to win this award because at least now she can have a well deserved family holiday.”

Mick concurred: “Angela is such a genuine unique individual – as are all our caregivers.

“I’ve seen times where she is giving up her own free time with her own family to care for others, she is just an amazing person.”