Winners at Great East Midlands Care Awards

Community Integrated Care has received a top sector honour after winning the prestigious ‘Care Innovator’ award at this year’s Great East Midlands Care Awards.

The charity was recognised at the event for their partnership with Super League and the Rugby Football League (RFL) after the development of the ground-breaking inclusion programme, The Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League. The project was awarded the accolade which took place at the East Midlands Conference Centre on Friday 1^st November.  

Community Integrated Care supports more than 3,500 people across the UK, who have learning disabilities, autism, mental health concerns and dementia. In February 2019, the charity was announced as the Official Social Care Partner of RFL and Super League, with a vision of pioneering the development of programmes to promote the inclusion of people with care and support needs through rugby league.

The ‘Care Innovator’ award recognises people who have shown skills in identifying, developing, implementing and establishing a new service, with the innovation demonstrating benefits for staff, the business and the people it supports. The project was commended by the judges for its ground-breaking approach to promoting social inclusion through sport.

The evening saw the Community Integrated Care up for two additional accolades including the prestigious ‘Care Employer’ title, recognising organisations that demonstrate a commitment to care, to both its employees and the people it supports. The charity’s Nottingham-based Bailey Street team was also shortlisted on the evening for the ‘Putting People First Award’.

The Great East Midlands Care Awards are part of the Great British Care Awards, a series of regional awards which celebrate excellence in social care and recognise those who work in the sector throughout England.

Martin McGuigan, Managing Director of South and Central region at Community Integrated Care says, “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won the ‘Care Innovator’ accolade at the Great East Midlands Care Awards, recognising the incredible inaugural season of The Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League. I’d like to send a huge well done to Ruth, from the Leeds Rhinos Learning Disability Super League team, who collected the award on stage on behalf of the players and supporters. Ruth is supported by our charity to fulfil her rugby league dreams, and travels from her home in Nottingham to train and play with Leeds Rhinos – this is what true person-centred support looks like!”

He continued, “I’d also like to thank both Super League and the Rugby Football League (RFL) for their continued support throughout the project – I’m proud to see this pioneering partnership recognised for its commitment to changing lives through sport.

The Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League will now go forward to the national finals of the Great British Care Awards, taking place next year in London.