May 25, 2024

By LDN Guest Post 3 minute read A 75-year-old care worker who supports men with learning disabilities has been shortlisted for a national award and been described by his colleagues as a ‘mentor to all’ who is ‘endlessly kind’. Victor Falokun, 75, is a Senior Support Worker at Cygnet Health Care’s Bostall House, a high-dependency care service. He has been shortlisted as a finalist in the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards in the Support Worker Award (Independent) category. The awards pay tribute to individuals or organisations who excel in providing quality care. The Support Worker Award recognises the crucial role of the support worker in providing high-quality support for people with a learning disability and/or autism and a commitment to supporting people with dignity and respect alongside dedication, team working and good humour. On realising he had been named a finalist, Victor, who has worked for Cygnet Health Care for 20 years, said: “My job is my passion. It brings me immense joy and compassion to support such outstanding individuals within our service. “I am a man of simple needs. I am articulate, confident, caring, enthusiastic, and energetic person who strives to make a real difference in the lives of the people I support. I always consider the aspect of equality for all and believe in maximising the potential of the individuals I have supported.” Elizabeth Ughu is the hospital manager at the six-bed service on Bostall Heath, Knee Hill Road. She said she was very proud of Victor for this achievement. She added: “Victor is a wonderful character and is one of the most respected at Bostall House. He is a mentor to all in the unit and if anyone has a question, Victor is always the go-to person. He treats all our service users as individuals and shows endless kindness. “Victor has a sense of humour that would encourage a smile, even when someone is having a bad day. “He is an asset to the team. He recently celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday in a special celebration with his colleagues.” The National Learning Disabilities and Autism Award ceremony will be held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on June 21. The awards represent all areas of care and support for people with learning disabilities and autism within the care sector, whether it be young or older people, supporting people in their own homes, the residential care sector or the voluntary sectors. 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. Cygnet was established in 1988. Since then it has developed a wide range of health and social care services for young people and adults with mental health needs, acquired brain injuries, eating disorders, autism and learning disabilities within the UK. Cygnet Bostall House is a high dependency complex care service for men with a learning disability and associated complex needs. The team can also support those with additional mental health needs and behaviours that may challenge. Its in-house Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) supports them with a learning disability model of care. This offers support from the nursing team, psychology, psychiatry, speech and language and occupational therapy.