Balhousie Care Group are proud to receive ‘Care Newcomer of the Year’ at Scottish Care Awards 2008

A party of twenty one colleagues from Balhousie Care Group attended the Scottish Care Awards at the Thistle Hotel, Glasgow on Friday 14^th November to watch Care Assistant, Joanna Pietrzak receive the 2008 award for ‘Care Newcomer of the Year’.

A Polish national, Joanna arrived in Scotland in 2006 unable to speak a word of English and secured work with Balhousie Luncarty Care Home, Luncarty as a Domestic Assistant. Within 6 months, Joanna was speaking and reading English fluently, assisted by literature made available to her from the Tourist Information Board. Joanna’s hard work and continued aptitude for learning allowed her to quickly progress to employment as a Care Assistant at Balhousie Luncarty Care Home in May 2007. Joanna continuously shows initiative and a keen interest in developing her own skills and knowledge base. Eveline Moyes, Home Manager of Balhousie Luncarty Care Home describes Joanna as ‘an inspiration to the care profession’.

Hosted by presenter, Kaye Adams the Scottish Care Awards are an annual event which recognise the dedication, development and quality of work across the care home sector. Balhousie Care Group reached the final of the Scottish Care Awards 2008 with finalists in three categories; Aimee McGowan (a Care Assistant at Balhousie Luncarty Care Home) was selected as a finalist in the Carer of the Year Category, and Tony Banks (Managing Director of Balhousie Care Group) was selected as a finalist in the Care Business Development Achiever of the Year category.

Tony Banks, Managing Director, commented ‘With so many nominations of a very high standard put forward, I am delighted that Balhousie Care Group reached the final of the Scottish Care Awards with finalists in three separate categories. Joanna’s success on the night was a fantastic achievement.’