COUNTY care workers have scooped national titles for their work with older people with dementia.

Herefordshire care workers Alan Riley and Shelly Ford both picked up prizes at the prestigious National Dementia Care Awards 2012.

Alan who is manager of the Waverley House care home in Leominster, won best registered dementia nurse, while Shelly won best activities coordinator for her work with residents living with dementia at the Froome Bank residential home in Bromyard.

Alan has more than 20 years experience in the care sector but despite progressing to a manager role at Waverley House in 2011, he still takes on nursing shifts and has even been known to act as head chef when required.

He was nominated for the tireless patience and understanding which he shows to the residents of Waverley House and their families, and was praised by staff for the support he provides to colleagues.

Alan said: “I’d like to thank the entire team at Waverley House who all do such a fantastic job in setting the very highest standards of care for older people living with dementia.

“While I may have received this award, in truth it is a reflection on the hard work of the whole team here who work with me to ensure our residents are looked after in the best possible way.”

Shelly has worked at Froome Bank since 2010.

She was nominated for the activities she organises for residents and the way she encourages their families to get involved and find new ways to communicate with their loved ones.

One of Shelly’s projects involved arranging poetry writing sessions with residents and resulted in some of their poems being published in a book called In the Pink.

“I feel very lucky to work in such a happy home,”

said Shelly.

“I really love my job and I get great enjoyment from seeing my residents happy.

“I am very proud to be part of this team and overjoyed to have been recognised by winning this award.”

Both Waverley House and Froome Bank are run by Shaw healthcare.

The third annual National Dementia Care Awards took place in Brighton as part of the UK Dementia Congress 2012 and saw more than 500 people attend.