JUST how much winning an award matters is summed up by Gary Meddings, the unassuming winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award last year.

The story of the lengths he went to to make a special mother’s day meal extra special for his client wowed the judges.

Gary has been a support worker for ten years and is immensely proud of what he does and thinks the job is really rewarding.

But winning the award has made a massive difference, he says, because having your efforts recognized is a great motivator.

“It was a great privilege to be at the awards last year, let alone being selected for the awards I won.

“I was genuinely completely taken by surprise that evening, there were so many other deserving finalists there who had some amazing stories, it really was a great honor.

“Like the many other people in this line of work I very much enjoy my job. Before becoming a support worker I had no idea how making a difference to someone's life could give such an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction, it's such a rewarding job to do.

“Having recognition for the work we do makes a massive! difference, so I do thank the Hereford Times for making the awards happen in the first instance just as I'm appreciative to Services for Iindependent Living for nominating me.

“I know that all who work in social care very much enjoy their work, having it recognised with our experience and stories heard means a great deal and for me a real motivator to try to do more.

“I'm always very proud to say I work for S.I.L whenever anyone asks who I work for, they do make their staff feel very valued.

“So many people congratulated me after I'd received the awards last year and for months after that even. Everyone in the room that evening we're worthy candidates.

“So getting the word out there for other organisations to nominate a member of their team and bring more people forward is so important.

“This is an event which I hope will grow and grow as the years go on. I do genuinely thank the Hereford Times for making it happen each year.”