Two Bolton charity workers have recognised for the work they did to support carers in the town during the height of the pandemic.

Safiyyah Mir and Sameera Reyani are support workers at Bolton Carer Support, a free service which helps carers of people living with mental health conditions.

The service, which is run by national adult health and social care charity Making Space, supports carers with a range of issues including one-to-one support, welfare benefit advice, and help with accessing other professional services.  

The pair have been shortlisted for the Social Care Covid Hero award in the Great British Care Awards for their "selflessness, dedication and commitment to maintaining the safety, physical and emotional wellbeing of service users and staff members".

And, if they take home the accolade from the North West regional ceremony at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester in November, they’ll go on to the national final in March next year.

Isaac Diallo is the manager of the service.

He nominated Safiyyah and Sameera for the work they did with colleagues across Greater Manchester to ensure no one was left behind due to Covid.

He said: “From the beginning of the pandemic, the support teams transformed themselves into a Covid task force.

“Working as one, they brainstormed ideas about how best to keep carers connected with local communities and neighbourhoods, with a purpose and sense of belonging.

“They remained active on the frontline to protect and promote mental health and wellbeing, and worked safely and tirelessly to ensure nobody became isolated."

Phil Orton, chief people officer of Making Space, added: “Caring can take a mental and physical toll, and during the height of the pandemic it was crucial that no one felt abandoned.”

The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional events throughout the UK and are a celebration of excellence across the care sector. 

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The awards pay tribute to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work, from frontline staff such as care workers and care managers to people who have made an impact in other ways such as training and innovation.