Carer of the Year 2012 award winners

Publication date: Thursday 28 June 2012

A small group of Haringey’s unpaid adult and young carers were brought together by the council last Friday for a special Carer of the Year awards ceremony at Wolves Lane Nursery in Wood Green.

All of the carers had been nominated in recognition of their tremendous dedication to the people they care for. For most of the carers it’s a full time role with little respite.

Presenting the sixth annual awards were new Mayor of Haringey Cllr David Browne and Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services and Deputy Leader Cllr Bernice Vanier.

Welcoming guests to the event Cllr Vanier thanked all the carers saying that it had been "quite a task" to judge the awards. She said:

"The support you give your loved ones, sometimes in very demanding situations is astonishing. You quietly soldier on; not realising what exactly it is that you do. All of you deserve awards."

Introducing the awards the Mayor said:

"The Carer of the Year award is the council’s way of thanking the thousands of carers in Haringey. Most carers carry out their responsibilities out of sight, looking after the elderly and the vulnerable. I hope these awards go some way to show that Haringey’s carers are valued and appreciated and that you haven’t been forgotten."

For the first time this year the awards were opened up to include a young carers category. There were four nominations for young carers and 29 for adult carers.

All of the nominations included incredibly powerful and heartfelt stories so much so, that the panel decided to add an Outstanding Contribution to the Community award to the Carer of Year Awards.

Jill Darnborough won the Outstanding Contribution to the Community award. Unfortunately Jill was unable to attend the awards but the audience heard that she is a champion for carers looking after someone with learning disabilities.

The winner of the Adult Carer of the Year 2012 award went to Elizabeth Sillery.

Elizabeth’s nominator told the judging panel that:

"Elizabeth is 88 years of age and is the sole primary carer for her son John. John is 53 years of age, partially sighted and registered blind. He also has a learning disability. Mrs Sillery provides total support towards John’s personal care needs and daily living skills like preparing meals, budgeting, shopping and travelling.

"She has been the sole carer since her husband died 11 years ago.

"Mrs Sillery is devoted to her son’s care and wellbeing. Her raison d’etre is to care for her son 'until she drops'."

Speaking after collecting the award Mrs Sillery said that she only did what any other mother would do. She said:

"John needs help with everything. I get his clothes ready and help him get dressed. I cut up his food and help him to feed himself. He’s my son, what else would I do? It’s my job to look after him."

The judging panel also chose a runner up for the Adult Carer of the Year 2012 saying it was impossible not to acknowledge the dedication of Margaret Murphie.

Alongside her caring role, looking after her son with multiple and profound learning disabilities, Margaret is actively involved in research projects, both nationally and within Haringey. Margaret manages to do all this and work full time as a teacher.

Winner for the Young Carer of the Year 2012 was ten year old Kyan Coleman. Both Kyan and her mum suffer with Sickle Cell. When Kyan’s mum is unwell, Kyan cares for her taking on a lot of responsibilities around the home.

Kyan goes to the shops to get essentials, helps prepare food and feeds her mum. Kyan also helps to dress her mum and cleans her ulcers and changes dressings when needed.

The audience heard how caring for her mum is a big responsibility for Kyan especially when she too can become unwell.

Kyan was delighted to win the award saying she felt "jumpy" when her name was called out.

Kyan’s mum Claudine Davies said she couldn’t believe Kyan had won the award but said that Kyan definitely deserved it. Claudine said:

"She does everything for me when I’m unwell. She does so much. She washes me in the shower, she dresses me, she feeds me. This is her normality, she’s amazing. I’m so proud of her."

The judging panel also chose a runner up for the Young Carer of the Year 2012 - Leah Westrandel.

Leah is 12 years old and looks after her mother who suffers with epilepsy. When her mum has an attack Leah is trained on what to do and who to call in any emergency. Leah’s main role is to keep the family calm especially her younger sister who is easily scared by mum’s attacks. Part of Leah’s routine whilst at school is to make contact with her mum via her mobile phone every break and lunch time. If the phone rings more than three times and her mum has not answered, Leah goes into care mode and rings her neighbour who immediately checks on Leah’s mum.

All nominated carers were given a certificate from the Mayor and enjoyed teas, coffees, biscuits and cake after the presentations.

Photo above shows the Mayor of Haringey, Cllr David Browne and Cllr Vanier with Carers of the Year 2012

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