A digital support worker from a Tyneside charity has been awarded a prestigious Healthwatch Star Award for going above and beyond to help older people in the West End of Newcastle.
Kathleen Dickinson (31) from Blaydon works with Search Newcastle and has received the accolade from Healthwatch Newcastle as part of their “Star Award” initiative.
Healthwatch Newcastle champions outstanding health and social care services in the local area. They gather and represent the views and experiences of service users of all ages. They then analyse feedback to spot trends and needs, and work with service providers and commissioners to tailor services to meet the needs of local people. They also celebrate the outstanding achievements of health and social care champions, awarding Healthwatch Star awards to people and services nominated by the public for special recognition.
As with all Healthwatch Star Awards, the person nominating a social care or health worker remains totally anonymous. The Star Award aims to recognise any member of the local community who has helped to make a difference in someone’s health and social care. An individual, team, department, organisation, or service can be nominated whether they are a professional, volunteer, patient, or member of the public.
Search Newcastle, a Benwell based charity that seeks to enhance the lives of people over 50 years of age has run a series of courses to help people get to grips with technology. As part of her role as digital support worker, Kathleen organised a session for older people wishing to find out more about how their mobile phones worked. Healthwatch received a letter saying how much Kathleen had helped them and could she get some recognition for her caring attitude and patience.
Phill Capewell, Interim CEO at Healthwatch Newcastle said:
‘Kathleen was nominated by someone who joined her Tech and Tea workshop. The person concerned now knows how to use their phone properly and it’s opened a whole new world with internet connectivity. As well as imparting knowledge Kathleen was patient and quick to explain any queries about the phones operation.
“Feedback like this is excellent and we are delighted to make the award. Healthwatch Star awards are there to recognise those incredible people who go above and beyond to help make a real difference to someone’s health and have gone above and beyond their normal role.”
Kathleen added: “It was a really lovely surprise to be nominated. The charity is there to support people and through initiatives like this we can see the social side of people’s lives improving. To think that someone took time out of their day to nominate me is really lovely especially for something as important as digital skills. I’m very pleased and proud.”
Healthwatch Newcastle welcomes feedback, both good and bad, and if you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their contribution, you can nominate a Healthwatch Star at www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/nominate-a-star
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