Professionals and volunteers were recognised for the fantastic work they do in supporting and promoting the health and wellbeing of Medway’s residents.
The A Better Medway Awards took place on Thursday, 30 November. This event recognises individuals and organisations across Medway for their hard work.
The award ceremony was opened with a keynote speech from Kate Allenby MBE, who competed in two Summer Olympics and won bronze in the modern pentathlon in 2000. She spoke to those attending the awards about inspiring groups and individuals to reframe situations and continually challenge themselves to set new goals throughout their life course.
Among the awards given out was the Director of Public Health Award – with the winner chosen by Medway Council’s Director of Public Health, James Williams. This year’s winner was the Medway Diversity Forum (MDF), which was praised for its tireless work in making a difference to the physical and mental wellbeing of minority ethnic communities in Medway. Ethnic minorities unfortunately experience poorer health and wellbeing than the general population.
MDF’s work focuses on removing barriers to access services and reducing inequalities. They support people to build their mental resilience and self-esteem. They also enable people to be more proactive and look after their own health and wellbeing better. MDF helps residents engage in a number of projects. This work included supporting more people to reduce their risk of strokes through lowering their blood pressure, getting the community to undertake more physical and recreational activity sports and becoming more digitally literate, so they are better equipped to access online services and support.
MEGAN CIC, a mental health resource in Medway, won the Adult Mental Wellbeing Award for its valuable work in empowering and helping those with mental health challenges to recover and thrive. MEGAN was commended for its approach of never giving up on or excluding people.
The A Better Medway Awards also includes a care awards section to recognise the incredible work of care providers and care workers who improve the lives of residents within Medway. Adult social care services are invaluable to so many and the care awards were developed to celebrate and shine a spotlight on those who work in our communities.
The care awards were presented by Jackie Brown, Medway Council’s Assistant Director of Adult Social Care. This year saw Rochester Care Home win the Care Provider of the Year Award and Julie Marrs, of Victory Care Home – Agincare, named Carer of the Year.
Thank everyone who plays their part
Cllr Teresa Murray, Deputy Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Health and Adults Services, said: “Ensuring Medway’s residents feel healthy in both body and mind takes a huge number of individuals and organisations working together. Lots of people work very hard to achieve this, so it is vitally important that we recognise both the professionals and volunteers who go above and beyond. I would like to offer my congratulations to all of the winners once again, but would also like to thank everyone who plays their part in keeping Medway healthy.”
See the full list of winners from this year’s awards.
Find out more about the health and wellbeing support on offer.