A care worker in Dumfries and Galloway is celebrating after winning the Social Care Worker of the Year award at a prestigious ceremony.
Wheatley Care’s Alan Berry, who lives in Dunragit, near Stranraer, was recognised at the Scottish Social Services Awards (SSSA) held at the Glasgow Science Centre.
The annual awards recognise exceptional care workers who go above and beyond to serve their communities.
For 19 years, Alan, a Visiting Officer, has worked at the Daar Lodge service in Kirkcudbright which is run by Wheatley Care – part of Wheatley Group – which provides care and support services to tenants in Dumfries and Galloway.
Daar Lodge is a sheltered housing complex in the town. In his role, Alan supports residents with care plans and carries out wellbeing checks.
Two years ago, Alan led the efforts to have the garden space refurbished into a space the residents and community could enjoy. In August last year, the new Inclusion Garden was opened.
In was for his work in creating the garden, as well as his near two decades’ service, that he was nominated for the award by the team at Daar Lodge.
Alan, 64, said: “I was taken aback when I was told I was nominated. I always just thought I was doing my job.
“I was shocked to be nominated. There are people who have done a lot more than me. I couldn’t believe I was being put forward for something so prestigious.
“I had a tear in my eye when they announced I was the winner. It was quite overwhelming. This is something I never thought I’d achieve.
“When I told the residents at Daar Lodge that I had won, they were over the moon. At one of our coffee mornings, I took along the award and showed them the video and pictures from the night. They were so pleased for me.”
Laura Pluck, Group Director of Communities at Wheatley Group, said: “We are incredibly proud that Alan was crowned ‘Social Care Worker of the Year’.
“Alan is incredibly popular among staff and residents at Daar Lodge and has had a huge impact over the last 19 years.
“The Inclusion Garden at Daar Lodge was brought back to life and through a great team effort, driven by Alan, the garden is now somewhere where the residents can spend time together.
“These awards recognise the difference those in the care sector can make to the communities we work in. Alan is a worthy winner and deserves all of the recognition.”
