Winners of the Inspiring Images of Social Care 2016 competition announced

In partnership with Caritas

Adults with learning disabilities took centre stage in this year’s winning image from Community Care’s Inspiring Images of Social Care competition.

The overall winner (pictured above) was submitted by PossAbilities, a social enterprise co-owned by staff and service users. The image captures the organisation’s annual show.

Individuals supported by the service take part in the show every year, which is performed at the Middleton Arena in Rochdale to an audience of over 1000 people.

PossAbilities will receive £500 to donate to a charity of their choice. Their image will also join 11 others on a charity calendar, which is sent out to thousands of social care professionals.

This year’s finalists were decided by a judging panel at Community Care Live and by the public, who voted via our Facebook page and website.

Judy Cooper, editor of Community Care, said: “We were delighted to get so many inspiring images from the sector that really showcase the huge range of work being undertaken in social care. Working in social care can often be difficult and challenging but these images capture those moments of joy and achievement that encourage everyone – professionals, carers and service users alike – to keep going and overcome all obstacles.

“A big thank you to our readers and delegates at Community Care Live who voted for their favourites, and to our specially selected panel of judges.”

View the 11 other winners below:

‘Masks and glitter’

Submitted by Sharon Alliston, self-employed social worker, Bridging the Gap
“I took these photographs while working with a child who loves getting her hands full of glitter. We both agreed everyone wears masks because if we were ‘raw and out there’ with everything we think and feel, we’d get hurt and hurt others without end.”

‘ESCAPE Allotment’

Submitted by Stacey Samuels, development insight and influencing officer, Family Action
“Terry’s look of achievement and pride in the plant he has nurtured sums up what the ESCAPE Allotment project is all about – helping those experiencing mental health issues, disability and isolation to gain skills and to increase independence and self-esteem.”

‘The Garden’

Submitted by Pauline, marketing assistant, Spare Tyre
“This picture shows The Garden, a theatrical installation designed to inspire those living with dementia and help their carers increase skills in non-verbal communication, connect with the people they care for and bring creativity into their everyday lives.”
Photograph copyright Patrick Baldwin

‘Board meetings on the bench’

Submitted by Shimoni Hill, divisional office co-ordinator, Craegmoor
“On World Autism Day we renovated and custom-decorated a wooden picnic bench with our service users so we can now hold our ‘Your Voice’ meetings outside, sitting on a bench we all helped create.”

‘Blue light day’

Submitted by Keith Burley, founder & chief executive officer, Phoenix Learning and Care
“This photo shows Max interacting with the local beat bobby on one of the days we organise to try and break down the barriers that uniforms can build up with young people with learning disabilities.”

‘Summer fun’

Submitted by Keith Burley, founder & chief executive officer, Phoenix Learning and Care
“At the Oakwood summer fair last year, staff and students let go with water pistols to relieve the stress and strains of working towards the summer exams. The facial expressions are priceless!”

‘Seaside memories’ 

Submitted by The Quarries Family Resource Centre
“These are children enjoying a day at the beach last summer, made possible by our appeal asking supporters to help provide days out during the summer holidays so children have a chance to create happy memories, build confidence and enjoy new experiences.”

‘Outdoor connection’

Submitted by Jo Parker, Young Oasis lead, the Brighton Oasis Project
“Taken last summer, this picture captures the moment when some of the children we help, affected by familial substance misuse, gathered around a fire and told stories to each other – overcoming the isolation they often face to connect and create a sense of belonging.”

‘Hands’

Submitted by Gill McDermot, dementia outreach team, Waltham Forest Council
“This picture shows the first time two ladies, living with dementia, met in their residential care home. From the moment they set eyes on each other they felt an immediate empathy and have been firm friends ever since.”

‘Vintage’

Submitted by Gill McDermot, dementia outreach team, Waltham Forest Council
“A day dressing up in vintage clothes led Mary, who lives with dementia, to remember when she used to work in Holborn and, on pay-day, would run in three inch stilettos all the way to Oxford Street to immediately spend all her money on clothes and make-up.”

‘The food of life’

Submitted by Hertfordshire Independent Living services
“This smiley client of ours is called Les, a 95-year-old who lives in a small village just outside Stevenage who describes our meals on wheels service as the ‘changing of his life’ – and we think it shows in this photo.”