Brandon Adventurers win a Great British Care Award
In this article:
- Award winners announced
- Who are The Adventurers
- Co-production at Brandon
- The Great British Care Awards
- Next steps: the finals!
- More information about the Adventurers’ work
Award winners announced
Brandon’s Adventurers have won the prestigious Co-production Award at the South West regional finals of the Great British Care Awards.
Held recently at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, finalists from across the social care sector in the South West gathered to hear the region’s winners announced.
The Co-production Award recognises the value of co-production in designing services and is awarded to those with lived experience who have gone above and beyond to ensure services are shaped to improve quality and outcomes, or to care professionals who adopt partnership working to ensure that people who use services have a voice.
The Great British Care Awards said: “The Adventurers are a force of nature! They are always thinking of others, and the impact the decisions they make have on them. I can’t wait to see what this group do in the future… this is just the beginning!”
Who are The Adventurers
Brandon’s Adventurers are a panel of experts by experience formed in December 2020. They are people supported by Brandon, working in paid roles to advocate for people with a learning disability and/or autism. They are consulted on projects and initiatives at Brandon and are a sought-after group of consultants for outsourced contracts.
Commenting on winning the award, The Adventurers said:
Shaun: “It means a lot to me, it makes me feel emotional, very touching. It was absolutely lovely what we done because we work hard. It makes me feel so proud.”
Blake: “I felt a bit nervous before I went to the awards, but I was happy and proud when I won.”
Lucy: “I was so chuffed to win the award on that night.”
Olivia: “I am so proud of what we have achieved to get this award for to win.”
Kate, who was not at the event but is a very active member of the Adventurers said: “It was very brilliant, and I am very pleased for everybody.”
Rachel Roberts, Brandon’s Compliance Coordinator, said: “Of course, it was absolutely wonderful to win the award, but what really shines out for me is the progress and the confidence this team now have. This teaches us all such an important lesson, that with the right support, a great team and a positive attitude you are able to achieve things you never thought possible.
“Thank you to the Adventurers, for all your hard work, thank you to Brandon for your unwavering support, and thank you to the Great British Care Awards for recognising our work.”
The Great British Care Awards
The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional events throughout the UK and are a celebration of excellence across the care sector. The purpose of the awards is to pay tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work.
Lou Parfitt, Brandon’s Quality & Compliance Team Administrator, said: “We were all pretty excited to get the opportunity to get glammed up for the regional final on 23 November, and we were all really nervous about our prospects of winning the award.
“Everyone looked amazing, and we took so many pictures. The venue was massive with lots of people, but there was a real buzz in the air. We soon got into the swing of it and enjoyed singing and dancing and waving our napkins in the air to Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, sang by Arg from The Only Way is Essex, who was our compere for the evening. We had a lovely three-course meal, danced to Whitney Houston songs, and then it was time for the awards.
“We were the penultimate category, so for some this was a long wait, and the tension was rising. When we heard our name called out as the winner, we all jumped up and screamed, we couldn’t believe it. We all marched up proudly to the stage to be handed our award, and obviously we had to take some more photos.
“When we got back to the table there was much hugging, and some tears. It felt amazing to be recognised for all the hard work we have put in, over the last three years of being a team.”
Co-production at Brandon
In the past 12 months, the Adventurers have successfully collaborated with Bristol University, the NHS, and the University of the West of England.
Brandon’s Chief Executive, Helen England, said: “Everyone is so proud of the Adventurers and what they have achieved. We will be cheering them all on as they go forward to the national finals. Brandon is so grateful for the amazing work they do and for the difference this makes to so many people. We are all phenomenally proud of Brandon’s amazing Adventurers and I am particularly grateful for the expertise of Rachel and Lou, who are instrumental to this important work.”
Next step: the finals!
Lou Parfitt added: “It has been a pleasure and an honour supporting the Adventurers, seeing how they have grown not just as a team but as individuals. We had an amazing night and created some amazing memories. Winning the award was just the icing on the cake. It is so important that co-production is recognised and celebrated, as when done correctly, it creates really meaningful and person-centred outcomes.
“We are now looking forward to attending the final, more nerves, excitement, and glamorous outfits!”
As winners in the South West region, the Adventurers will now go through to the national final, which will be held in the Birmingham ICC on 22 March 2024.
Updated: 28 March 2024
Last week, the Brandon Adventurers headed to Birmingham for the grand final. Sadly, they didn’t win the overall award, but they did have an amazing night!
More information about the Adventurers’ work
To find out more about the work and projects the Adventurers have been involved in so far, visit our Co-production page.
