Meet Molly, the helping change
SHE HAS BEEN NOMINATED AS RISING STAR IN CARE HONOURS
SHE is just 17 years old but Molly Whitehouse is already proving to be an inspiration in her chosen career.
The caring teenager works with people who have a range of learning disabilities, helping them to live a full and happy life.
Molly is proving to be such a natural at her job that her team at Community Living Project, in Quorn, has nominated her as its rising star for a LeicestershireLive Care Professional of the Year Award 2022.
Molly said she was so proud to have been put forward as part of the campaign, which aims to reward and celebrate the people who have cared for others through the most challenging of circumstances.
“I never expected to be nominated,” said
Molly, who started working for Community Living Project just over a year ago.
“It was a total shock when I found out but I’m really grateful.”
Molly, who had never really considered working in adult care, started doing some part-time hours at Community Living Project’s specialist unit, which supports residents – some with highly complex needs and behavioural issues – to live as independently as possible.
Staff said Molly took to her role immediately and has now become an invaluable member of the team.
She works full-time and has started a diploma in adult care. “It’s been a really great experience for me,” said Molly, full of praise for the service users she helps, often on a one-to-one basis. During lockdown, she arranged for one resident with autism to speak to his family, via his laptop. Last year, the teenager helped the project’s service users to go on a five-day holiday.
“I just love this job,” said Molly, who is working towards becoming a duty officer at the project. “We’re like one big family here.
It’s so lovely. It’s great when we can take our service users out and get them to try different things and take part in activities.
“We’ve actually just been making Christmas cards.”
This is the time of year when we need people like Molly more than ever, to make sure our loved ones living in care homes and other settings feel part of this special season.
Many of our caring professionals go above and beyond – and that is where you come in.
We want to hear about those unsung heroes who help to improve the lives of others, not just at Christmas but day after day, week after week, year after year.
There is still plenty of time to get your nominations in before entries close on January 4.
Categories include Best Newcomer to Care, Dementia Carer of the Year, Supporting Independence and Palliative Care Professional of the Year.
The LeicestershireLive Care Professional of the Year Awards, held in association with Inspired to Care, will be a virtual event on Thursday, February 10.
The awards reward, recognise
It’s been a really great experience for me. I just love this job
Molly Whitehouse, pictured right
and celebrate care professionals who have helped improve the lives of others across Leicestershire.
A representative from Inspired to Care said: “Never more so than the past two years has the workforce demonstrated resilience and devotion to the people they support, and we at Inspired to Care and Leicestershire County Council are proud of all your heroic efforts keeping people safe and well.”
To nominate a care professional and find out more regarding award categories, go to: reachplcevents.com/events/eastmidlands/ leicestershire-live-carer-of-the-yearawards-2019/