Jemma presented with Excellent Employee award for raising the profile of working carers across UHDB
A colleague has received a special award to recognise the support she provides to a network of carers across Team UHDB.
Jemma Walker, Clinical Educator and Co-Chair & Founder of the UHDB Carers Network was presented with the Trust’s Excellent Employee Award after being nominated by a colleague who praised her for creating a space to share experiences and raise the profile of working carers across University Hospitals of Derby and Burton.
Jemma said: “I’m very passionate about carers. As a carer, I go above and beyond in my job because I always think if that patient was my son, I’d want someone to be giving him that high level of care.”
Sharon Martin, Chief Operating Officer and Barbara Day, Head of Professional & Practice Development at UHDB, presented the award to Jemma as a surprise. Upon receiving the award, Jemma said: “I’m really shocked. I’m really pleased that carers have been recognised within the trust, I’ve had some difficult times working and being a carer, I’ve had a few times where I didn’t think I could do both, but I’m in a really good team and I just want to help everybody else.”
A colleague of Jemma’s, Claire Birds-Whittick said: “Jemma’s son has been poorly lately and she still comes into work after looking after him, to then look after everyone else, she’s amazing.”
Throughout her time as Co-Chair of the UHDB Carers Network, Jemma has also been working on the development of the UHDB carers passport which will further enhance the support the Trust is able to offer to working carers.
As well as her day-to-day job, Jemma works tirelessly continues to develop the Trust’s approach for carers, ensuring that their voice is heard and they are supported on all occasions to balance life both at work and at home.
Part of Jemma’s nomination read: “Jemma has bravely shared her carers story by attending TDG to share her story. She also reverse mentors a UHDB divisional director sharing the challenges and barriers she’s overcome as a working carer- in order to raise the profile of carers at UHDB.
“Jemma always actively listens, acts compassionately and works with others to find realistic solutions for their role and home responsibilities. She’s a true UHDB hero!”
Jemma said: “I’m very passionate about carers. As a carer, I go above and beyond in my job because I always think if that patient was my son, I’d want someone to be giving him that high level of care.”
If you would like to nominate a colleague or team for a Monthly Making a Difference Award, please let us know.
There are four monthly Making a Difference Awards categories:
- Chief Executive Award – chosen by our CEO
- Patient Hero Award – nominated by patients
- Team UHDB Award – you can nominate your team or another team
- Excellent Employee Award – you can nominate your colleagues
You can send a 300 word nomination, along with the name of the team or individual, their job title and where they work, to: uhdb.employeeawards@nhs.net.