A LANARKSHIRE care worker has been recognised for “going the extra mile” during the pandemic.

Helen Miller, activity coordinator at Beechwood Care Home in Wishaw received one of four awards in the national ‘Going the Extra Mile’ competition.

The event is organised by Holmes Care Group and Impact Healthcare to recognise care workers’ “tireless hard work”.

Last year, when care homes first closed to all but essential visitors Helen began delivering a programme of “fun, engaging activities” for the homes’ residents.

These included sewing costumes, decorating the lounge areas, gathering props and baking treats ahead of the launch of Beechwood Airlines and Bus Tours.

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This activity saw residents ‘tour’ faraway destinations while the home was closed to visitors.

Residents ‘visited’ a number of different locations including London for afternoon tea with the Queen and Dublin on St Patrick's Day.

Helen Miller said receiving this award “is an honour”.

She said: “My job is to help the team make every day special for our residents.

“I love seeing their faces light up for an activity I’ve organised and receiving an award like this is an honour because it tells me that my work helps make a difference.”

Cathy Togneri, service manager at Beechwood Care Home described Helen’s efforts during the pandemic as “admirable”.

She added: “Helen’s efforts to keep the people we support engaged and entertained are admirable.

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“Her activities empower some of the most vulnerable people in our community choose how they spend each day, and her conversations with them help unearth all the memories of childhood, family life and holidays so that they can relive them while creating many more in the home.

“She goes the extra mile to build her relationships with each one of them, and I am grateful to her for making all of us smile and laugh through a difficult time.”

Helen’s award will see the home take away £1,000 to spend on the welfare of all staff members.

The home said the money will be used to cover garden benches where colleagues will be able to socialise, a bike rack to encourage cycling to work and to purchase indoor plants to “boost wellness at work.”