THE commitment and dedication of care workers was recognised at an awards ceremony in Taunton attended by 170 people.

The Somerset Care Group’s annual awards were presented at the Somerset County Cricket Ground.

The group’s HR team won the ‘Central Support Team of the Year’ award and Carol Mohide, residential operations manager, won the ‘Inspirational Senior Manager’ award. Lavender Court’s deputy manager, Sarah Patten, received the award for ‘Inspirational Line Manager’ and Somerset Care’s Taunton-based learning disabilities team, Realise South West, was named the ‘Community Services Team of the Year’.

Debra Buller, from Acacia Training and Development, in Bathpool, received the award for ‘Inspirational Trainer’.

Several other members of Taunton Deane staff were also recognised for their long service and others received highly commended awards for a variety of categories.

There were speeches from Alyson Martin, chief executive, Eoin Keogh, director of care services, Susan Baverstock, group head of HR and training and Chris Davies, chairman.

Speaking at the ceremony, Alyson Martin said: “It is wonderful to see so many of our staff members being honoured for their commitment and dedication to Somerset Care.

“It has been a lovely day and a pleasure to be able to celebrate the achievements of our staff.”

Somerset Care is a not-for-profit healthcare provider, which operates 32 care homes and provides residential and nursing care for more than 1,550 people.