Locals making a difference to health and well-being were honoured at North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Breakfast for Champions event last week.

Taking place at Irvine’s Volunteer Rooms, finalists and their nominators as well as invited guests enjoyed a breakfast cooked by volunteers from Café Solace and entertainment by Ayrshire musician Campbell Sproat and magician Sean McNulty.

This year, the nomination process was open to the public as well as staff, with finalists ranging from NAHSCP employees to inspirational members of the community, volunteers and third sector organisations.

From the team categories, Bourtreehill Age Concern Drop in Centre in Irvine won Volunteer Champions, NAHSCP employability mentors Gealdine Cairns and Dawn Boyd won Partnership Champions and Innovative Team went to NAHSCP Care at Home Assistants. Community Superheroes was won by Lend an Ear volunteer team and Administration Stars went to the Break the Silence administration team.

From the Individual Categories, Community Superhero was Michelle Trainer, Third Sector Community Link Worker at North Coast. and Trail Blazer was Deborah Francis, Castleview Day Care Officer. Kirsty Calderwood, Lead Officer at Children, Families and Justice service, won Everyday Hero and Judith McKenzie, Clerical Officer at Dirrans Centre,won Administration Star.

Sally Powell, Carer and Volunteer, won No. 1 Volunteer, Elspeth Mair, Speech and Language Service Lead, won Inspirational Leadership and Bella Burley McLeod, Support Worker, won Partnership Champion.

Councillor Robert Foster, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “We have so many dedicated people, including caring employees and residents, who go the extra mile. The awards are a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the positive difference they make.”