At CareLineLive, we’ve been absolutely delighted to run our Home Care Hero of the Year Award. The response was truly inspiring, with an incredible number of outstanding nominations pouring in from across the UK. These nominations celebrate excellence right across home care, from dedicated frontline carers to visionary directors of services and showcases the remarkable people who make such a difference every day.
Our finalists were as follows:
- 1st place – Adeleye Olayinka – Senior Care Worker at Ansa Care
- 2nd place – Cynthia Zhou – Care worker/Mental Health Champion and Mental Health First Aider at Primary Homecare
- 3rd place – Pearl Flora Clinton – Director of TheSignLife
Highly commended:
- Jessica Sauter – Braeburn Care
- Samantha Whittaker – New Age Care
- Christina Dury – Best Care Liverpool
1st place – Adeleye Olayinka – Senior Care Worker at Ansa Care was nominated by Care Manager Kelly Paul. Here’s what the nomination said:
Adeleye’s story is a true reflection of passion, patience, and heart in care. He started out as an agency worker and quickly realised how much he loved making a difference in people’s lives.
He joined us full-time having worked for Ansa Care as an agency worker and his dedication has only grown stronger, now proudly serving as a Senior Care Worker recently promoted. Ade brings warmth and genuine care to every person he supports. He’s built such strong relationships that it’s often difficult to find someone to step in when he’s on leave, that’s how much trust and comfort his presence brings.
One of Ade’s standout achievements is with a young man who used to struggle with aggression and found it hard to connect with staff or members of the public. Through Ade’s calm, consistent and understanding approach, that young man completely turned things around, becoming more active in the community and even featuring Ade on ITV News to share his progress at the day centre he attends.
He also supports another service user who enjoys constant interaction with people in public, something many find challenging staff and members of the public inclusive. But Ade handles it with ease, patience and humour, making every outing meaningful and positive.
Another touching example of Ade’s compassion was his work with a gentleman who had always refused care due to his dignity and independence. Ade took the time to build trust and form a genuine bond, to the point where the family described him as “part of the family.” Ade supported this client right through to his final days and the family expressed their deep gratitude for the comfort and respect Ade showed their father. Ade even attended the funeral with his manager, a true reflection of the care and commitment he carries in his heart.
These are just a few examples of the impact Ade has every day. His kindness, consistency and passion for helping others makes him more than deserving of the title Home Care Hero of the Year.
We caught up with manager Kelly and winner Ade, after the ceremony and here’s an insight on what inspires Ade to be such a wonderful Senior care worker.
Why did you nominate Ade for CareLineLive’s Home Care Hero of the Year Award?
Ade has been with us for some time, he was an agency worker and then joined us full-time, he’s a carer in the community and cares about young people and it’s great to shed a light on that as well. Ade is outstanding at what he does, that’s why I nominated him. It’s nice to have the opportunity to sing Ade’s praises.
Ade, what was your reaction on winning CareLineLive’s Home Care Hero of the Year Award?
I had no idea, it was such a surprise. I was just told that I had been nominated for an award and that I should come into the office and join the awards event. I just do my job, carry on with whatever it is that I do and I never though that there is someone, somewhere, actually paying attention to what I do and that I could be recognised in this manner.
What is your inspiration to have a career in health and social care?
Some people find themselves in a position and situation that they never expected to be in. It’s hard for people to accept. I often put myself in those people’s shoes and it’s one of the reasons that makes me want to help people and do what I can for people. And I actually like to put a smile on people’s faces, listen to them and talk to them as a friend and helping them out is another thing for me. I see clients as people and not defined by their mental health, I see the person underneath.
What does being a senior care worker mean to you?
It’s more responsibility I assess clients and also supervise colleagues. I support colleagues and try to channel them in the right direction to help them understand how rewarding the role is. Showing them how satisfying it is for them to be able to help people, giving them encouragement is really important.
What are the challenges do you face in your role as senior support worker?
It’s challenging when people are resistant to help. I try as much as possible to make sure that people are doing the right thing and also, I try to keep positive relationships because in the process of doing my job I don’t want to create enemies or make people unhappy. I try to get a balance, it’s not one approach fit’s all. You have to try something a bit different with each person.
In the nomination, amongst the many amazing comments, it was said that:
Additionally, he has positively impacted another service user who thrives on public interaction, ensuring that their outings are meaningful and enjoyable. Notably, Adeleye built deep trust with a gentleman who initially refused care, becoming “part of the family” and providing support with dignity until his final days, even attending his funeral with his manager.
Can you describe the importance of this?
I feel like my strengths are paying attention, not just listening but paying attention to the service user’s body language and noting how people engage with me. I read their faces and know where the boundaries are, when I can engage and talk to them. Reading body language is something not to be ignored.
When you’re not working hard with Ansa Care, how do you like to spend your down time?
I watch and play football, I’m a very active person and play tennis and badminton, but football is one of the things that I find more interesting. I support Manchester United!
