AN Allendale care worker is celebrating after winning a regional award.

Carolyn Harrison, who is the domiciliary care manager at Thornley Leazes Care in the village, was the regional winner for the North-East at the Great British Care Awards.

Carolyn, who has worked at Thornley Leazes for seven years, was nominated by her manager, Linda Charlton.

“I nominated Carolyn because she organises lots of activities for our residents, including holidays which we do a lot of fund-raising for,” explained Linda.

“Carolyn is very outgoing, and is very popular with the residents. She’s always organising things for them to do. She wouldn’t just leave people sitting there.”

The residential home, which provides care for elderly people with additional needs as well as providing care services to people in the community, regularly puts on a range of activities for its 12 residents.

This includes a second-hand shop in Allendale which allows residents to improve their personal and financial skills. In addition, Carolyn and Linda have even taken residents on holidays, using their annual leave to do so.

Despite this, Carolyn said she was still surprised to win – and didn’t even attend the gala dinner where her victory was confirmed.

“I was a bit shocked,” she admitted. “I said ‘hang on a minute, I’m not the only one in for it!’

“For me, it’s just what I would expect anyone in our job to do, so I was shocked.

“I had to do an interview in Newcastle – it was a bit like a CQC interview, they want to make sure we’re following the policies and procedures. that are in place.

“It’s for Thornley Leazes. It’s not personal. It’s very much a joint effort.”

Carolyn is now in the running for the national award. The overall winners will be announced at an event in Birmingham in February, with Carolyn and Linda both present.