Barnsley care home worker shortlisted for Community Hero award

A BARNSLEY care home worker has been shortlisted for the Community Hero award at the prestigious Proud of Barnsley Awards.

Rachael Addy, the activities coordinator at Deangate Care Home, on Towngate, Mapplewell, discovered she had been shortlisted after receiving a surprise phone call from the event’s organisers.

Rachael has worked at Deangate Care Home since 2019 and has since organised dozens of activities, events, and outings for elderly residents and the wider community.

Earlier this year, she raised over £2,000 for the residents’ fund with a charity skydive. She also helps organise Love to Move exercise classes for residents and those living with dementia outside the care home, becoming a certified deliverer for the British Gymnastics Foundation run programme.

Rachael led Deangate Care Home’s bid to for Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status and recently launched a new “Carers’ Café” in partnership with Barnsley Carers Service, to support those who dedicate their time looking after loved ones.

She said: “I am completely overwhelmed. I didn’t expect to be nominated for an award like this, never mind being in the final.

“The only reason I do what I do is for our amazing residents, families and local community members. If I can do something that makes them so happy, feel special and generally enrich their lives, then I will try my best.

“I will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible for them.”

Frances Smith, 89, a resident at Deangate Care Home, said: “Rachael is an outstanding young lady. She has done so much for us. She deserves everything she gets and much more, I am so proud of her.”

Fellow resident Pete Hardy, 76, said: “I tell everyone how amazing she is and about all of the wonderful things we do in the home. She’s my friend and she makes me and others happy. I want people to see what she does for us.”

Maurice Churchouse, 94, said: “Very well deserved to be nominated and to be a finalist. I hope Rachael wins as she deserves it.” He jokingly added: “I offered to take her place for the sky dive but she said I could have the day off. It’s a good job as I didn’t realise how high it would be.”

The Proud of Barnsley Awards 2024 presentation evening takes place on Friday, 15^th November, at the Metrodome Arena, when over 600 guests are expected to be in attendance.

Rachael Dawson, home manager at Deangate Care Home, said: “We are so proud of Rachael for being shortlisted for the Community Hero award at this year’s Proud of Barnsley awards.

“Rachael is such a hard worker and does so much for our residents and the wider community, I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”

For the first time, members of the public are being given the chance to vote for the winners of each award.

To vote for Rachael Addy for the Community Hero award at the Proud of Barnsley Awards 2024 visit www.barnsleychronicle.com/voting/9/community-hero.