Having a user focus

For teams or individuals who have listened to the views of service users and carers and responded, such as by providing information and support to enable service users to make positive choices about their treatment and care. This award was judged by the User and Carer Council.

Winner: Leanne Kalemaj

Leanne is an occupational therapist working in the Greenwich Early Intervention Team. She was nominated by several service users, carers and staff for being “always there” and going the extra mile to support those she works with. This has included jointly setting up the Bexley and Greenwich Early Intervention Football Team, helping people to get involved in football matches and training sessions with coaches from Charlton Athletic Football Club. One member of the team has taken coaching qualifications and is now employed by Charlton as a coach and facilitator.

A service user who nominated her said “Leanne has made a huge difference to my life…She is a star.” A carer who nominated Leanne said that she has “been reliable, calm, cheerful, approachable and efficient at all times” and a service user praised her for being “proactive in helping me to get back my confidence and get on with my life.” Another carer said “She researched and persuaded my son to attend a Prince’s Trust course which helped him a lot with developing his confidence so much so that he was able to successfully resume his university studies.”

Runner up: Jane Anderton

Jane is a social worker based at Yeoman House in Bromley. She was nominated by a service user for her “unceasing energy and enthusiasm”, for her advocacy with other professionals and for being a “very active care coordinator.”

This included going out of her way to set up a safety net for the service user when Jane went on holiday and always being available to talk to the service user and her parents.