It was an exceptional month for outstanding employee practice across Westward Care last month, as staff members named eight new employees of the month across all locations.
In March, care assistant Dawn Benson Raines was named Headingley Hall employee of the month for the second time, having been previously handed a certificate in September 2025. Said to embody all four of the Westward Care values – trust, kindness, respect and teamwork – Dawn was called “always so kind”, singled out by one colleague as someone who was reliably happy to carry out any task asked of her.
Described by voters as “lovely to work with”, “trustworthy” and “a team player”, Dale Bradshaw was a worthy pick for employee of the month at Headingley at Home in March. Describing Dale’s welcome recent return to Headingley at Home, one colleague wrote: “Dale has shown confidence in his new role as senior. He wasn’t in a senior role when he worked for Outreach before, but he has returned with so much confidence and has just got on with the jobs in a professional manner. We are so happy to have him back on the Outreach team.”
Over at Hunslet Moor House, senior care assistant Vicky Pickersgill became a two-time employee of the month certificate holder in March, having previously been singled out in April of last year. Said by one Hunslet Moor House colleague to be “amazing, always going above and beyond for anyone”, Vicky was called simply “the best person to work with” by another Hunslet staff member.
At Westward Care head office, it was a tie for March’s employee of the month, with Clinical Support Manager Alison Grice and Operations Manager Sharon Earnshaw both handed certificates. While colleagues voted for Alison due to her willingness to “go above and beyond to support her colleagues and residents across all locations”, and because she “is a pleasure to work alongside”, they also cast votes for Sharon because she “is always kind to people” and “always supports where needed...even when she is busy”.
Described by one colleague who voted for her simply as “a great team member”, The Cedars’ Abigail Badu was an obvious pick for March’s employee of the month at the Methley location. Singled out by one voter for being “so calm”, Abigail also received votes in March for being someone who “respects everyone, and is kind to everyone” and understanding the value of team work.
Pennington Court’s Ankita Patel was named the Beeston home’s March employee of the month for going “above and beyond, even going shopping for residents in her own time”, and for being “always full of ideas and ways to make improvements”. For Ankita, wrote one colleague, “no task is ever too much”.
Finally, it was Stephen De’Ath who took home the employee of the month certificate for Southlands last month. Said to demonstrate the four Westward Care values in his work every day, Stephen was also singled out as someone “always goes out of his way to assist, and always does it with a smile”.
Congratulations to Dawn, Dale, Vicky, Alison, Sharon, Abigail, Ankita and Stephen on being so deservedly commended for their good work last month. Thank you, also, to the Westward Care staff members who voted for their employees of the month in March, and who left such thoughtful comments in praise of their colleagues.