2022-12-21 11:46:32
Charity employee goes the extra mile to be shortlisted for Support Worker of the Year
A support worker and amateur gardener from national learning disability charity Hft has been shortlisted for Paid Care or Support Worker of the Year 2022.
Martin Pickup from Bradford has been nominated in this category in the Leeds Quality in Care Awards – a regional opportunity organised by Leeds City Council to shine a light on those who truly go the extra mile and make a real difference to people’s lives.
When he joined Hft in 2020, Martin was tasked with managing an empty allotment plot, offered to the charity by Lidgett Lane Allotment Association, and helping adults with learning disabilities to develop their gardening skills.
This was a complete career pivot for Martin who, prior to this, had spent more than 30 years working in the auto industry and had no previous experience in the social care sector. But, his passion for gardening meant he was the right person for the challenge.
Martin did not let lockdown conditions deter him from transforming the allotment. Although people were physically kept away from the plot, Martin ran some very popular virtual sessions, encouraging and supporting people to grow both cress and sunflowers at home.
Kate Holdsworth, interim Involvement Coordinator at Hft, recognises the difference Martin has made not only to the allotment itself but to the lives of adults with learning disabilities. She nominated him for the Quality in Care Awards to highlight the fact that he goes above and beyond his day job.
She said, “Martin has proved himself to be a natural at working with people with learning disabilities. He can adapt activities for people who want to get stuck in with tools to build beds and prune trees, and also for those who might enjoy a sensory experience by feeling the textures and smelling the soil, seeds and plants.
“His great sense of humour has meant that tasks such as barrowing manure have become popular entertainment, while his knowledge of plants has meant the growing has been very successful throughout the season!
“As a result, this Summer saw a huge range of produce growing. All of it was labelled with pictures so many of the people he supports could give tours and tell visitors exactly what was growing.”
The judging board for the Leeds Quality in Care Awards now have the very difficult task of picking a winner and are currently visiting nominees and people connected to them to make an informed decision.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
