North West care provider short listed for Employer of the Year at acclaimed awards

A leading social care charity, Community Integrated Care, has been shortlisted for the prestigious:- 'Care Employer' award at the 2024 Great North West Care Awards. The awards ceremony, celebrating the best in social care, will take place on the 9th November at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, in Manchester. The charity is also nominated in 3 additional categories, demonstrating its remarkable impact on both colleagues and the people it supports.

The:- 'Care Employer' award recognises organisations that place a strong focus on supporting and developing their workforce while delivering outstanding care. Over the past year, Community Integrated Care has made significant strides in enhancing its services and championing its employees, driven by its Best Lives Possible strategy.

Among the charity's achievements in the last 12 months are:-

• Pioneering digital innovations to enhance the lives of colleagues and the people they support.
  

• Investing over £5 million in colleague pay, alongside providing crucial wellbeing and financial support through initiatives like the Wellbeing Fund and partnerships with Everymind at Work and Salary Finance.
  

• Participating in 14 national and international events, promoting accessibility, inclusion, and social impact.
  

• Establishing life changing partnerships with organisations such as:- British Cycling and London Zoo, which offer enriching experiences for the people they support.
  

• Strengthening expertise in complex care by creating a dedicated governance group focused on advancing the quality of care for individuals with higher support needs.

Samantha Brennan, Managing Director for the North West at Community Integrated Care, said:- "Being shortlisted for the Care Employer award is an incredible honour and a powerful reflection of our unwavering commitment to both our colleagues and the people we support. We are relentless in our pursuit of excellence- whether it's through investing in our colleagues' wellbeing, driving forward digital innovations, or forging partnerships that enrich lives. At Community Integrated Care, we don't just create a place to work; we create a place where people can thrive, grow, and make a real difference. We're absolutely delighted to be nominated in 4 categories this year. It's a testament to the passion and dedication of our colleagues, who go above and beyond every day to ensure the people we support lead fulfilling and empowered lives. From delivering transformative experiences for individuals with complex needs to helping people transition from long term Hospital care into vibrant community settings, I couldn't be prouder of what our team has achieved."

Community Integrated Care's Inclusive Volunteering Programme, which provides people with care needs the chance to build their confidence and skills through unique personal development opportunities, is just 1 example of the charity's forward-thinking initiatives. The organisation has also been recognised for its commitment to addressing the cost-of-living crisis with a variety of financial and wellbeing resources available to its employees.

Community Integrated Care supports people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health conditions across the North West and employs over 1,000 dedicated colleagues in the Region. The organisation, founded in Halton, 36 years ago, is now 1 of the largest and most successful care providers in the UK.

The Great North West Care Awards celebrate excellence in social care, and the winners will progress to the national finals of the:- 'Great British Care Awards' in March 2025, where the achievements of social care workers across the UK will be recognised.

Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards shortlist revealed following record number of entries

THE Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards shortlist was officially announced today setting the stage for an exciting celebration of the Region's thriving tourism and Hospitality sector.

An expert judging panel whittled down a record number of entries across 19 categories into the shortlist revealed today. The number and quality of entries reflects the continued growth of the City Region's tourism industry.

The finalists will now go forward to a glittering awards ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral on:- Thursday, 27 February 2025.

Organised by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and supported by the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), the prestigious awards highlight the best of tourism and Hospitality across the City Region.

This year's 19 categories include:- awards for accommodation providers, attractions, food and drink venues and new tourism businesses. New for this year are the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism award and the International Tourism award.

14 of the winners will then go forward to the Visit England Awards for Excellence in June 2025.

Cllr Wharton, Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade said:- "Once again, we are delighted to have received so many entries for the Tourism Awards this year. With tourism now worth over £6bn to the Liverpool City Region these awards are a celebration of our City Region's thriving tourism industry and its enormous contribution to our economy. Year on year the support for the awards continues to grow as businesses recognise the value of being involved. In particular it is pleasing to see support for the two new categories; Accessible and Inclusive Tourism and the International Tourism Award. Special thanks go to our experienced panel of judges who have had a difficult job in shortlisting this year as the quality of entries have been so high."

More than 60m people visited the City Region in 2023, generating over £6bn for the local economy.

Bill Addy, Chief Executive at Liverpool BID Company and Headline Sponsor, said:- "As we prepare to gather together again to celebrate those working in our tourism industry and visitor economy it is a moment to think about how important these businesses, individuals and events are to our City Region economy. It is not just jobs but experiences, welcomes, visits, special days out and cultural moments. Tourism is a vital ingredient in the business of the Liverpool City Region and its importance is something we just both celebrate and innovate to keep ourselves ahead of the game in such a competitive field."

The:- 'Liverpool City Region Hidden Gem' category will also be back for 2024 and sponsored by The Guide Liverpool. This category will be voted for by the public and will recognise the Region's:- 'best kept secret.' Hidden Gems could be attractions, bars, restaurants, tours, or natural assets which are off the main tourism trail.

By nominating a:- 'Hidden Gem,' they could be catapulted into the Tourism Awards spotlight. Please click here to nominate your Hidden Gem.

The headline sponsor is Liverpool BID Company, with associate sponsor Liverpool ONE. Other confirmed sponsors and event partners are ACC Liverpool, Bolland and Lowe, BDO LLP, The Guide Liverpool, Kimpton, Knowsley Safari, Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Football Club, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, London Northwestern, Merseyrail, MSP Global, My Time, National Museums Liverpool, PIB Insurance, Ticket Quarter, The Art School, The City of Liverpool College, The Metro, Virgin Experience Days and Wild Thang.

The full shortlist is:-

B&B and Guest House of the Year

The Bowden Lodge
The Braemar Southport
Sunnyside Guest House

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year

Garden by The Bay
Happy Days Apartments
Quest Apartments Liverpool City Centre
Staybridge Suites Liverpool
The Eden Warehouse

Hotel of the Year

Hope Street Hotel
Malmaison Liverpool
Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village
Pullman Liverpool
The Municipal Hotel and Spa MGallery Liverpool
Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Business Events Venue

Aintree Racecourse
Escape Live Liverpool
Hilton Hotel Liverpool
Rum Warehouse at Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Spaces at The Spine
The Lake House

New Tourism Business Award

Arts Bar Baltic
Blackstock Market
Eureka! Science + Discovery
Gravity Max Liverpool ONE
Salt and Tar
School Lane Hotel

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

Eureka! Science + Discovery
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Philharmonic
Strawberry Field
Sunnyside Guest House

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

Future Yard
Liverpool Philharmonic
Liverpool Properties, National Trust
NORD
Sunnyside Guest House
The Eden Warehouse
Titanic Hotel Liverpool

International Tourism Award

Hotel Anfield
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Tourist Information Centre
The Beatles Story

Taste of Liverpool Award; Café/Bistro of the Year

Crosby Coffee
Imagine More Café at Strawberry Field
Museum of Liverpool Café
The Bluecoat Café
The Lake House
The Watering Can

Taste of Liverpool Award; Restaurant of the Year

Antonio's Bar and Grill
Chamber 36
Delifonseca Dockside
Fazenda Rodizio Bar and Grill
Salt House Tapas
Tik Taco

Pub of the Year

The Bridewell
The Jacaranda
The 1 O'Clock Gun
The Red Fox
The Windmill Southport

Experience of the Year

Fab 4 Taxi Tours
Mersey Tunnel Tours
National Trust, The Beatles' Childhood Homes
Reel Tours

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

Liverpool Football Club Tours and Experiences
Liverpool Cathedral
National Trust, Speke Hall
The Beatles Story
World Museum Liverpool

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

British Music Experience
Port Sunlight Museum
Royal Liver Building 360 Tour
Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust
Strawberry Field

Entertainment Venue of the Year

Arts Bar Hope Street
Albert's Schloss
Liverpool Philharmonic
Salt and Tar
Shakespeare North Playhouse
The Liverpool Empire Theatre

Tourism Young Person of the Year

Jack Frank, Hilton Hotel Liverpool
Ellen Taylor, INNSiDE By Melia
Philip Barnes, Mersey Ferries
Erin Lorimer, Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village
Liam Roberts, School Lane Hotel
Tom Hughes, The Bus Yard
Daisy Cooper, Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Unsung Hero Award

Mark McKenna, Liverpool Tourist Information Centre
Craig Cavanagh, Masons Liverpool
Phil Witter, National Museums Liverpool
Simon Osborne, National Trust
Jean Milton, Port Sunlight Village Trust
Bridget Mulroy, Shakespeare North Playhouse
Veso Mihaylov, The Jacaranda/Jacaranda Baltic