The Awards
The Markel 3rd Sector Awards celebrate the tremendous efforts of the care sector. They recognise resilience in the sector and the positive difference they make to people’s lives.
The first award of the day that celebrates a team or individuals that consistently demonstrate compassion to those they support and going above and beyond the responsibilities of their role to ensure people feel safe, respected and dignified.
What the judges said
We were moved by our winner’s story and clear emotional connection she has with the people she supports. We loved her gritty determination and were impressed by her can do attitude and no surrender approach ensuring that always things happen for her customers.
Compassionate to the core our winner is someone who demonstrates the skill of being able to fully empathise with others.
And the winner is Karen Breakspear.
The Interview
On receiving the award, Karen was interview by journalist, newsreader and presenter Angela Rippon. She was asked: Tell us about what you do and what drives you?
Karen responded with:
It really to be honest is my customers. They would love to obviously have jobs and to be like everyone else. They have skills and talents every single one and it’s finding the right position and post for them and when they get the position it is that ‘They have done it’ and they are so pleased. When you see their faces and they get a paid job or volunteering, it’s amazing. It really is! And it’s all worth it!
Reception and Closing speech
Karen was greeted with another warm reception as she made her way back to her seat. After all the winners were announced Angela closed the ceremony with a fitting speech.
Today’s ceremony has demonstrated that you have care in your DNA, it matters to you what you do.
Here in Britain as a nation we care and is why we have such a very well supported charity sector. It is our DNA.
You are a mighty army of very special people who do a terrific job without which our society would be the poorer. So thank you to every one of you. Not just those taking away one of those awards. Everyone who came as a finalist, everyone who came as someone who works in the care sector thank you so much for what you do and thank you for being with us today.
A fitting end to a wonderful day. Well done Karen! and everyone who was nominated and won their respective award.
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