Community Care charity photo competition winner revealed

The winner of Community Care’s inaugural  ‘Inspiring images of social care’ charity calendar competition, sponsored by Caritas Recruitment, has been announced.

The judging panel – made up of social care leaders from across the sector – praised the quality of the 79 entries but voted the photo above, of children with learning disabilities enjoying a supported holiday break in France, the overall winner.

They said that the photo of young Alex Olliffe’s holiday had a “joy and vibrancy” that captured the power of positive social care support.

The photo, which was submitted by Ian Callen of supported holiday organisation Go-Provence, will feature alongside 12 other pictures the judges voted to include in a 2014 charity calendar which will be sent to thousands of social care professionals.

To receive a free copy of the calendar, simply register for a Community Care account or sign in to your existing account.

(View all the winning photos using the box above)

The judges said the competition entries “really brought home the breadth of work social care professionals do” and admitted it had been a tough decision to pick winners.

Paul Morgan, strategic commissioning manager at Dorset County Council, said:  “If we could have a had a calendar for 52 weeks I would have included them all. However, I did vote for the winner because of the impression of genuine warmth that it conveyed – everyone just seemed to be having such a happy time!”

“I can feel the sun, the smell of the sea and hear the laughter in the photo even on this wet, gloomy day in Dorset!” he added.

Sherry Malik, director of children and families for Hounslow council, said it was important that the public got to see “positive images” of social care.

“We only ever come to public notice on the back of poor practice, but every day thousands of social workers support children, families, individuals and communities in fantastic ways. The calendar will celebrate this in a really positive way,” said Malik.

Alex’s family has asked that the prize of a £500 charity donation goes to learning disability charity the Brandon Trust.

Alex’s mum, Karen, said that she was “very proud” Alex’s photo had won the competition.

“Alex really enjoyed the holiday and it enabled him to do things we just wouldn’t contemplate doing as a family because of his challenging behaviour, but his delight in taking part is obvious from the photos that were taken,” she said.

“It also gave myself, my husband and my daughter some much needed respite and time together, while knowing Alex was also in safe hands and having fun.”

As well as a £500 donation to the Brandon Trust on behalf of the overall winner, all other winning entries have chosen a charity to be featured alongside their picture.

Ruth Smith, editor of Community Care, said: “We hope that this will raise awareness of some of the great work that social care charities do in the sector.”

She added: “We had a huge response to our first photo competition and it’s been fantastic to get such a strong visual reminder of all the great work that happens across the sector and the difference this makes to people’s lives. All too often we focus on things that go wrong – our inspiring images of social care competition is an important reminder of the life-changing work that social workers and social care professionals do every day.

We are grateful to Caritas Recruitment for sponsoring the calendar, which covers the cost of printing and postage, meaning we can provide the calendar to social care professionals for free.”

Competition judges

Richard Baldwin, divisional director, children and young people’s specialist service, people and communities department, Bath & NE Somerset Council

Sandy Watkins, children’s social care training team manager, Cambridgeshire Council

Paul Ennis, territory manager, Concateno Trichotech

Paul Morgan, adult services commissioning manager, Dorset Council

Marcella Phelan, assistant director children and families, Ealing Council

Sherry Malik,  children and adults Director, Hounslow Council

Julia Unwin, chief executive, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Korrinne Williams, social worker, family support and child protection team, London Borough of Lambeth

Simon Temerlies, head of provider services, London Borough of Lambeth

Robin Smith, director, Castlecare Group

Craig Smith, finance director, North Lake children’s services

Kim Scragg, head of service, assessment, prevention and supporting families, Oldham Council

Nicholas Browne, client services director, Penna Plc

Elaine Atkinson, Local Government Association lead, Poole Council

Margaret Flynn, independent consultant and chair of safeguarding board

Paul Fallon, independent consultant and chair of safeguarding board

More information

Competition winner Go Provence: A French adventure for people with learning disabilities and their carers