Passionate, never giving up on people, a beacon of inclusion … these are just some of the things the judges at the Great British Care Awards said about Mandy Shaw and her team at ROC Solid supported housing charity.
The charity, which is based in Newton Aycliffe, won the Housing with Care award at the national finals attended by 1,100 health and social care professionals in Birmingham.
“We are absolutely over the moon!” said service manager Mandy who has worked for the charity since it started in 2007. “The team goes the extra mile all of the time. We work with dozens of very vulnerable people, including recovering addicts, pregnant young women, care leavers, people with additional needs, families with children on the child protection register.
“We’re there to support them every step of their journey and we see some great outcomes. We just don’t give up on them!”
The charity operates around 75 houses and flats, including two centres staffed 24/7 – Hope House in Newton Aycliffe for 16-25s and Marsh House in Billingham for women with drug, alcohol and mental health challenges. The latter is cited as an example of national good practice for supporting women leaving prison by The Prison Reform Trust.
The judges said they were impressed by the wide range of people supported by the charity. In the citation they said: “Mandy showed a true passion with a capital P, for never giving up on people regardless and giving them as many chances as it takes to take ownership and improve their lives. ROC Solid are a beacon of inclusion and an ambassador for change and reform particularly for people whose lives have been touched by adversity.”
The charity was founded by former journalist Dot Butler and her husband Derek, who continue to be trustees. They are directors of the ROC Group which runs a range of CQC and Ofsted inspected services for children, young people and families.
Photo: ROC Solid service manager Mandy Shaw receives the Housing with Care Award from television personality Kate Garraway and compere Steve Walls at the Great British Care Awards 2022 National Finals at the ICC in Birmingham.