As the Westward Care team continued to live the new company values of trust, kindness, respect and teamwork through December, we can now name the staff members who were singled out by colleagues for their exceptional work last month.

Nathalie Nkwedjang of the Headingley Outreach team was named an employee of the month in December for her “respect and kindness” towards residents. Nathalie “takes pride in her role”, wrote one colleague, and is someone who “strives to deliver high standards to the residents” always.

Over at Southlands, Svetlana Klenova was December’s employee of the month for having recently “stepped up and covered reception”, where she has been consistently “respectful and kind” to residents and visitors alike.

Called “skilled in her field”, Senior Finance Officer Lara Owens was named a December employee of the month by other members of the Head Office team for her “exceptional accuracy”, as well as her “approachable and positive” attitude.

For being “always very willing to help others” and for constantly showing her “caring nature”, Bethal Odeh was named employee of the month at The Cedars in December. One colleague wrote that Bethal “shows respect and kindness in the way in which she communicates not only with staff, but with residents and visitors as well.”

At Pennington Court, staff voted Taiwo Akande employee of the month in December for her work on the home’s Maple Unit. One colleague who nominated Taiwo wrote that Taiwo has lately “worked incredibly hard” and continued to maintain “a positive attitude at all times; she is always happy, smiling and approachable, which has a genuinely uplifting effect on both staff and residents".

Described as “a pleasure to work alongside”, Sharon Trench was named Headingley Hall’s employee of the month in December. “Always kind to everyone”, Sharon was singled out last month for being “always kind to everyone” and “always willing to help”, while remaining ever mindful of residents’ needs and wants.

Finally, Amanda Tomlinson at Hunslet Moor House was described as “a fantastic role model” who “goes above and beyond for everyone”. One colleague who voted for Amanda in December wrote that she “needs to be recognised” for the hard work of “trying to sort care schedules for residents while also running the floor and covering shifts at short notice”.

Thank you to everyone who cast votes in December, and congratulations to Nathalie, Svetlana, Lara, Bethal, Taiwo, Sharon and Amanda for being our latest employees of the month.