Carers that have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic are being recognised in Maidstone’s Compassionate Community Awards.

A collaboration between the Heart of Kent Hospice and Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), the prize-giving scheme launched for the second time in 2021 and has six gongs to give away to unsung heroes in the borough of Maidstone and close surrounding areas.

The category for care and residential homes is looking to reward those that have gone beyond their normal ways of working to maintain the wellbeing of the residents; particularly when they couldn’t see their loved ones or have visitors.

Rachel Street, interim chief executive at the hospice, said: “We know first-hand just how very hard it has been for care and residential homes.

“The way they had to care for their residents changed completely and the pressure they were put under through the pandemic, when infections were rocketing, was extremely difficult.

“We know there are examples of care homes where staff have self-isolated away from their families so they can look after residents and I’m sure there will be lots of examples where these homes have shown a huge amount of compassion.”

Last year, staff at Loose Court Care Home were crowned winners of this category for the way they kept families connected.

In a moving nomination, one woman wrote about the support given to her mum with dementia.

As well as arranging a video call shortly before she passed away, staff stayed at her side all night.

Other categories are for compassion shown in a business or workplace; in a school or by a teacher; by a volunteer or a neighbour; or demonstrated by a young person or a community.

Entries are now open and close at 5pm on August 27.

The nominations will be shortlisted by judges Alison Broom, Rachel Street, KM editors and Cllr David Burton, the leader of MBC, in September.

The winners will be announced on October 21.

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