The stars of Salvation Army social services work have received national awards to recognise their work for the church and charity organisation.

Centres of excellence and staff who go the extra mile to help older and homeless people from across the UK and Ireland were celebrated at the church and charity's annual social services gathering at the Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire.

Winners collected their awards from The Salvation Army's Territorial Commander Commissioner John Matear cheered on by an audience of 300 social service directors, centre managers, project workers and service users.

Prizes were given in two categories: LifeHouse Awards named after The Salvation Army's new term for ‘hostels' to recognise outstanding centres and staff working in homelessness services and, for the first year, Older People's Awards to recognise best practice in Salvation Army homes and day centres.

The compere for the ceremony, The Salvation Army's secretary for programme Lieut-Colonel Ian Barr, said: ‘This evening is about rewarding excellence and innovation in centres and to thank staff for the gifts, skills and generosity of spirit and faith they bring to working with people during difficult times.

‘Our Awards in Older People's Services encourage and recognise the very best services and programmes we can offer people who are deserving of the best love and care that is available. It is a privilege to offer services to people who have made tremendous contributions to their families, to their communities and, in some instances, to their countries.'

He added: ‘Our LifeHouse Awards rightly give the spotlight to centres and staff who have pulled out all the stops to add value to their service and create real, quantifiable outcomes for homeless people. The quality of entries from 97 Salvation Army homelessness services around the UK and Ireland was outstanding and there are more multiple winners of awards than before as the standard was so high.'

Judged by an independent panel of experts in the older people and homelessness sector, 97 Salvation Army homeless services that include 83 LifeHouses, 17 care homes and three day car centres for older people, and more than 1,000 staff in the UK and Republic of Ireland were eligible for nomination by Salvation Army employees, service users, and by independent local community groups in 17 award categories.

A LifeHouse centre reviled by its neighbouring community nine years ago that responded in a Christian way through its HOPE community regeneration scheme, a centre manager that helps people to look at the stars and an older people's day centre that survived rumours of closure to increase the number of people who attend were among the winners.

The Eva Burrows Day Centre in Glasgow Despite was named Day Centre of the Year in the Older People's Awards having gone from strength to strength after some initial uncertainly about its future when the adjacent care home closed more than three years ago. The Day Centre has not only remained operational but has developed its programme and increased the number of services users who attend. The centre and The Salvation Army is delighted it now shares the site with the new First Stop Homelessness Project which opened in January this year.

Christine Tait of Swan Lodge, Sunderland was awarded Centre Manager of the Year for having the rare gift of seeing every soul who comes through the door and finding the one thing that is going to re-ignite the passion in their heart. She has an infectious enthusiasm that means residents don't think twice about changing their lives, trying new ideas, and believing in themselves. Through Christine's management service users have become project workers, run the allotment and gardening project, accompany the bobbies on the best, organise fun nights and events, go fishing and even look at the stars.

Witham Lodge in Skegness and Devonport House in Plymouth centres were chosen as joint winners of the LifeHouse of the Year award in an open vote by delegates at The Salvation Army's social services conference. Both centres were seen to embody the vision of a LifeHouse, The Salvation Army's new term for hostel, which a centre that is more than a place to stay and goes beyond the standards required by funders to help service users develop purpose and relationships - which The Salvation Army sees as crucial to turning someone's life around.

Category A) Older People's Services main winners
Day Centre of the Year: The Eva Burrows Day Centre, Glasgow, has gone from strength to strength despite some initial uncertainly about its future when the adjacent care home closed more than three years ago. The Day Centre has not only remained operational but has developed its programme and increased the number of services users who attend. The centre and The Salvation Army is delighted it now shares the site with the new First Stop Homelessness Project which opened in January this year.

Home of the Year Award: Alver Bank, London - Staff were commended by the judges for showing tremendous commitment and dedication to serve residents who are very frail and have high levels of need.

Individual Contribution Award: Joint Winners - Paul Clark from Bradbury Home, Southend & Paul Wilson from Furze Hill House, Norfolk

Paul Clark from Bradbury Home, Southend, was nominated by four of his colleagues for transforming the garden in his own time from a derelict site to a colourful oasis that is the delight of centre. Since working as a care assistant in April 2009 Paul has rearranged flowerbeds, planted fruit trees hanging baskets and other items that have brought the garden to life, to the delight of residents and staff.

Although his job is officially the maintenance person at Furze Hill House, Paul Wilson is much more than that to the residents and staff. Paul sits with the residents while having his coffee break, he is an active member of the League of Friends, organises and manages the shop, and never goes out in the centre minibus without taking a resident with him.

Best Practice in Dementia Care Award: Youell Court, Coventry, was singled out by the judges for providing holistic care focusing on the individual rights, choices and personal wishes of each of its 40 residents. In 2009 Youell Court achieved dementia registration for the home as well as a 3 star excellent rating from the Care Quality Commission. Staff and volunteers work as a team to ensure residents receive the very best quality care they deserve.

Best Practice in the Provision of Activities Award: Eagle Lodge, Edinburgh, strives to help its 33 residents to live life to their full potential by drawing on their experience and skill, and helping them to develop a sense of self-worth. Residents are encouraged to pursue a hobby or interest and to participate in the every day life of Eagle Lodge by doing the simple things - watering plants, delivering newspapers within the home, sewing labels and helping the handyman to pot plants. Weekly activities include sing-alongs, reminiscence sessions, quizzes, crafts, outings, aromatherapy and gentle exercise.

Best Practice in Service User Involvement Award: Dewdown House, Weston-Super-Mare, was praised for making the involvement of residents an integral part of practice within the care home. Residents are active members of interview panels when new employees are recruited so they can clearly express their view as to who they feel will give the best care. Residents are also involved in meetings about health and safety and quality standards.

Category B) LifeHouse Awards main winners
Recognising excellence in Salvation Army homelessness services

LifeHouse of the Year: Joint Winners Devonport House, Plymouth and Witham Lodge, Skegness were chosen as worthy winners of LifeHouse of the year by delegates at The Salvation Army's social services conference. Both centres embody the vision of a LifeHouse - a place that is more than a place to stay and which goes beyond the standards required by funders to provide purpose and relationships, which The Salvation Army sees as crucial to turning someone's life around.

Centre Manager of the Year: Christine Tait from Swan Lodge, Sunderland has the rare gift of seeing every soul who comes through the door and finding the one thing that is going to re-ignite the passion in their heart. She has an infectious enthusiasm that means residents don't think twice about changing their lives, trying ideas and believing in themselves. Through Christine's management service users have become project workers, run the allotment and gardening project, accompany the bobbies on the best, organise fun nights and events, go fishing and even look at the stars.

Individual Contribution Award:
Joint Winners: Chris Hartley from Witham Lodge, Skegness and Craig Hilton from Swan Lodge, Sunderland

Chris Hartley from Witham Lodge, Skegness, is a great encouragement and motivating force with service users at the centre. He has played a key role in the HOPE project (Help Other Projects Evolve), giving clients from Witham Lodge the opportunity to learn and develop skills while also helping their community. HOPE supports all sorts of projects in the local community - anything from building woodland trails, clearing the local beach of litter, to redecorating houses.

Craig Hilton from Swan Lodge, Sunderland, was a former resident but is now a project worker who is transforming the centre, service users and the staff that work there. Craig organises a wide range of activities, while also fitting in time to continue his professional development as a project worker. His personal journey is an inspiration to everyone at the centre.

People Power Award: (for centres that engage with service users) New Directions, Braintree. Judges were impressed by ‘the best awards submission',  which was co-written by the service users themselves. New Direction was praised for keeping its service relevant and effective by using the expertise of residents to run the activities committee, to run fundraising events for the centre and even deliver some of the life skills courses.

Community Award: (for centres working with their local community to dispel the misconceptions surrounding people who are homeless and the centres that help them)Witham Lodge, Skegness, was reviled by its neighbours nine years ago but reacted in a Christian way by reaching out to local people and offering them help through HOPE, which stands for Help Other Projects Evolve. Through HOPE service users supports project in the local community - anything from building woodland trails, clearing the local beach of litter, to redecorating houses. Through giving to their local community, service users are also helping to transform their own lives by learning new skills and developing positive friendships.

Specialisms Award: (recognising centres that offer creative solutions to clients with a mix of issues in their lives)

Crichton House Cardiff Bus Project, for the second year running received the Award for its special ministry from a converted double-decked bus. With kitchen facilities downstairs and an office on the upper deck, the project team works in partnership with a range of providers to offer essential services five nights a week to people who would often otherwise not be willing or able to access statutory support. Services include signposting more than four people a night to available bed-spaces in the Cardiff area, and offering health check-ups and medical assistance through partnerships with the local health board.

I'll Fight Award: (named after a William Booth's last public speech at the Royal Albert Hall in 1912) Joint Winners: Tony Thornton MBE from Tom Raine Court, Darlington; Colin Mottershead from Providence House, Rochdale; Jean Stubbings from Catherine Booth House, Portsmouth

Tony is one our finest managers and runs one of our best centres. He has maintained a serene presence and calmed the anxiety felt by service users and staff despite uncertainty over the future of his centre in recent months.

Colin stepped in to save a smaller struggling centre for young people near to his large men's centre. Colin worked tirelessly, on top of his current workload, to save this other centre and it look likes he and the staff have succeeded. The young people now receive a service ten times better than before.

Jean has worked for The Salvation Army for 26 years and is loved by all the staff. This year Jean took her centre for families and children from its tired old building to a brand new one. This was like moving house but 20 times bigger! Jean ensured that all the families had the minimum disruption and maximum involvement in the process.

Work and Social Enterprise Award: Forty: Twenty Furniture ReUse Project, Perth, more than just recycling furniture offers volunteering placements for homeless people staying at The Salvation Army's Skinnergate social service centre and long-term unemployed in the local community. The Project was recently recognised to be the best of its kind in the country winning the UK Furniture Re-Use Project of the year, beating 600 other entries

Housing Award: Crichton House, Cardiff, remarkably has had NO failed tenancies since 2007. The service has been audited by the local authority since 2006 and every year the report says ‘no actions'. Service users are involved throughout the process to get them housing, including attending audit meetings, sitting on interview panels, and completing peer conducted surveys.

Activity and Training Award: Joint winners: Swan Lodge, Sunderland and Salisbury House, St Helens, were praised by the judges for constantly producing fresh ideas to inspire their services users and give meaning in their lives.

The activities at Swan Lodge in Sunderland are endless, ranging from fishing to astronomy and participation in wellness scheme the enable service users to access all sporting facilities in Sunderland. The centre also has a rock band ‘Polarised' formed by some of the service users.

Salisbury House, St Helens, places a major emphasis on sport, with regular trips to see football and rugby league games. Service users can take part in a range of activities that include a camera club or to go camping in the Lake District. Training ranges from anger management, to plastering, time management, to DIY.

Families Award: Catherine Booth House, Portsmouth, was described by the judging panel as ‘a wonderful place for families to grow and thrive'. The centre is 30 years old but moving to the new facilities has been a rebirth. Staff encourage the residents to run the place, including working on reception. One mum has set up a play group and a DVD session to give the other mums a break. Another mum runs coffee mornings for families and makes the buffet herself.

--ENDS--

 Notes to Editors:

For interviews or to arrange visits to any of the award-winning centres, please contact The Salvation Army press office

Media enquiries:  Ann Stewart, Senior Press Officer The Salvation Army, tel: 020 7367 4702 / 07801 198 439 email ann.c.stewart@salvationarmy.org .uk

Social Services Awards 2010 full list of winners

Section A) Older People's Services Awards all winners
In the Older People's Services Awards there were TWO possible awards for each category: Highly commended for broadly accomplished work, and the overall Winner

• Day Centre of the Year Award
  Winner - Eva Burrows Day Centre, Glasgow
  
• Care Home of the Year Award
  Winner - Alver Bank, London
  
• Individual Contribution Award
  Joint Winners - Paul Clark from Bradbury Home, Southend & Paul Wilson from Furze Hill House, Norfolk
  Highly Commended - Diane Smith, The Hawthorns in Buxton
  
• Best Practice in Dementia Care
  Winner - Youell Court, Coventry
  Highly Commended - Bradbury Home, Southend
  
• Best Practice in the Provision of Activities
  Winner - Eagle Lodge, Edinburgh
  Highly Commended - Eva Burrows Day Centre, Glasgow
  
• Best Practice in Service User Involvement
  Winner - Dewdown House, Weston-Super-Mare
  Highly Commended - Furze Hill House, Norfolk

Section B) LifeHouse Awards

In the LifeHouse Awards there were THREE possible awards for each category: a special mention award for centres who caught the judges' eye, Highly commended for broadly accomplished work, and the overall Winner

• LifeHouse of the Year
  Joint Winners - Devonport House in Plymouth and Witham Lodge in Skegness
  Other hortlisted centres - William Booth House in Hull; Swan Lodge in Sunderland; Tom Raine Court in Darlington; Ty Gobaith in Cardiff; 
   
• Centre Manager of the Year
  Winner - Christine Tait from Swan Lodge, Sunderland
  Highly Commended - Sally Anthony from Northlands, Cardiff; Nathan Slinn from Lincoln Street, Coventry; Matt Albury from Logos House, Bristol; a joint award for Ivan Congreve and Helen Wilson from Springfield Lodge
  
• Individual Contribution Award
  Joint Winners - Chris Hartley from Witham Lodge, Skegness and Craig Hilton from Swan Lodge, Sunderland
  Highly Commended - David Metcalfe from Tom Raine Court
  Special Mention - Stephanie Phillips from Darbyshire House, Liverpool
  
• People Power Award
  Winner - New Directions, Braintree
  Highly Commended - Ann Fowler House, Liverpool
  Special Mention - David Gray House, Isle of Man; Strathmore Lodge & Burnside Mill, Dundee; James Lee House, Warrington; Ty Gobaith, Cardiff
  
• Community Award
  Winner - Witham Lodge, Skegness
  Highly Commended - Swan Lodge, Sunderland
  Special Mention - Salisbury House, St. Helens; Ashbrook Centre, Edinburgh
  
• Specialism Award
  Winner - Crichton House Cardiff Bus Project
  Highly Commended - David Gray House, Isle of Man;
  
• I'll Fight Award (Named after a William Booth's last public speech at the Royal Albert Hall in 1912 and awarded to staff who have fought to keep their service together and the morale of their staff through tough times)
  Joint Winners - Tony Thornton from Tom Raine Court, Darlington; Colin Mottershead from Providence House, Rochdale; Jean Stubbings from Catherine Booth House, Portsmouth
  
• Work and Social Enterprise Award
  Winner - Forty-Twenty Furniture ReUse Project, Perth
  Highly Commended - Devonport House, Plymouth
  Special Mention - H2O Project, Southampton; Ty Gobaith, Cardiff; Strathmore Lodge & Burnside Mill, Dundee;
  
• Housing Award
  Winner - Crichton House Cardiff Bus Project
  Highly Commended - Greenock Floating Support, Devonport House, Plymouth
  Special Mention - William Booth House, Hull; Cambria House, London;
  
• Activity and Training Award
  Joint Winner - Swan Lodge, Sunderland and Salisbury House, St Helens
  Highly Commended - The Pleasance, Edinburgh; Zion House, Plymouth
  Special Mention - Lefroy House, Dublin; Wallace of Campsie, Glasgow; Calder Fountain, Belfast
  
• Families Award
  Winner - Catherine Booth House, Portsmouth
  Highly Commended - Mount Cross Families Centre, Leeds

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