Shropshire care worker named one of the best in the UK
A Shropshire care worker has been named one of the best in the UK at a glistening award ceremony.
Rob Cartwright, 44, of Much Wenlock, was named Carewatch Care Worker of the Year in a ceremony at Coombe Abbey, Warwickshire.
It means Rob, who has only been a carer for little over a year, is the best out of all the staff at 150 Carewatch companies across the UK.
He said: “I am absolutely gobsmacked, I just can’t believe it.
“I was amazed to be shortlisted but to have actually won is incredible.
“I just love my job and it is a team effort so I am taking this award back to Telford to share with all our other carers, they are all great.”
The father-of-two has previously worked as a road sweeper driver, a card salesman and a barber.
He joined Carewatch (Mid Shropshire), based at Stafford Park, Telford, after helping to care for his wife Caroline’s grandad before he passed away.
Now Mr Cartwright cares for people aged between five and 90 with a range of different needs across Telford, Bridgnorth and wider Shropshire.
He was nominated by director of Carewatch (Mid Shropshire) Steve Harris and beat off stiff competition to be handed the national accolade on Thursday.
John Wilberforce, Business Development Manager at Carewatch, said: “Rob is the absolute embodiment of what we would all like to see in a care worker.
“Cheerful, committed, engaging and above all, completely likeable.
“He was just born to do the job that he does now, and if you could clone him – you would do. He is a credit to himself and the team in Telford.
“I would also commend Steve Harris and his team for seeing the potential in Rob, who had not worked in the sector prior to joining Carewatch.”
Mr Harris said his team were thrilled when Mr Cartwright was presented the award by Mr Wilberforce and CEO of Carewatch Scott Christie.
He added: “We are honoured to have him as part of our team and everyone here is so pleased for him.
“He just can’t believe it but he thoroughly deserves it - he is enthusiastic, dedicated, sensitive to customers’ needs, willing to go the extra mile and a great support to the rest of his team.
“In a little over a year he has gone from no experience to being fully trained, promoted to team leader and now the best in the UK.”
