Live-in Carer Jainaba Barrows has won the Reed Improving Lives Award for Health and Care for her incredible care, support and dedication to her client who has dementia, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The accolade is part of a new national competition set up by Reed Specialist Recruitment to recognise dedicated individuals in the public services sector who are making a real difference to the lives of others through their work. Launched on 2 March 2020, Reed Specialist Recruitment received hundreds of submissions from the public over a three-month period, nominating local heroes who are making a real difference to the lives of others. Jainaba scooped an award and £1000 shopping voucher for going above and beyond her daily role.
Jainaba was nominated by Eryl Ward for the amazing care and compassion she had given her mother, who is living with dementia at home. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Jainaba stayed with Eryl's mother to ensure her care remade in place, going ten weeks without any contact with her own family.
Eryl's nomination immediately tugged on our judges’ heartstrings, saying:
Without Jainaba we do not believe our mother would still be with us”. Her nomination continued: “I speak to mum daily, and it is evident how their relationship has blossomed when it could so easily have suffered from the intensity of both of them cooped up together…I like to think I am committed to my clients, but Jainaba's remarkably understated dedication is truly humbling. On Mother’s Day she didn’t get to see her own children or her mother, but thought of video-calling me, so I could see mine.
Our judges were in awe of Jainaba's dedication. Nicola Armstrong, Divisional Manager for Reed Care and Support, said: “Jainaba shows total dedication and compassion to this family, giving up all she has, her own family, to ensure the care and protection of the service user. This brough me to tears, and I feel this is a very humbling nomination.”
Karen Jackson, Human Resources Director at Reed Specialist Recruitment – one of the award judges added: “This nomination bought to life for me the tough situation that carers have to balance between the patience, the patient’s family and themselves. Jainaba has demonstrate true commitment to her patient in enabling her to do what she wants to do – live from home despite her medical illness.”
Nicola Armstrong added: “We’re delighted to announce Jainaba as the winner of the Improving Lives Award for Health and Care. Her work as a Live-in Carer demonstrates true commitment and her nomination highlights her compassion.
“The awards were established to recognise individuals who go above and beyond to support others, and Jainaba embodies just that. Everyone at Reed Specialist Recruitment would like to say congratulations to Jainaba!”
