Ceremony to recognise dedication of city carers

Liz King, 53, from Tranent, and Lynn Turner, 48, from Leith, have been nominated as finalists for this year's Carer of the Year award after being selected from more then 250 candidates for the Scottish Care - Care at Home & Housing Support Service Awards.

Liz has worked as a carer for Allied Healthcare since 2009. She visits homes in the Tranent area, where she has lived for four years, to provide support for clients. This can involve anything from shopping and laundry to bathing, dressing and administering medication.

The mother-of-four said: "It's a great surprise to have made it to the finalist stage.

"Recognition from my colleagues is a huge achievement, but to be nominated by my clients is really touching."

Lorna Park, the branch manager at Allied Healthcare who nominated Liz, said: "I am thrilled that Liz has been short-listed. She always goes the extra mile and her commitment in supporting the delivery of personalised care and support in the community makes a real difference to the lives of those who access our services."

Lynn Turner is a care worker at Ardmore Home Care Ltd in Edinburgh. She is delighted at her nomination. She said: "I love my job and most of the clients have become like extended family members because we're in seeing them three and four times a day. I can't believe that clients and colleagues have done this for me."

She describes caring for the clients as "fun" but recognises its serious nature: "Without care, many of these people would have to stay in hospital. I think it's great the carers are being recognised for the hard work they do."

When Lynn is off-duty she enjoys gardening and touring the world with her husband in their Rockabilly band MaryJean Lewis and the Starlight Boys.

Katharine Ross, director at Ardmore Home Care Ltd who nominated Lynn, said: "I am so pleased that Lynn has been short-listed. When she joined the company almost five years ago, Lynn didn't have much experience and in such a short time she has really made a huge impact on the company.

"Her commitment and dedication is so apparent in all of the feedback we have received. I think she would make a worthy winner."

Now in their fifth year, the Scottish Care - Care at Home & Housing Support Awards have been hailed a huge success with more entries than ever flooding in from both people who use the services, as well as employers and employees nominating their staff and colleagues.

This year the conference, exhibition and awards dinner will be at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on Friday, May 27.