Some nights stay with you, and Thursday 1 October was one of them.

The Be Independent team went to Killashee Hotel in Naas for the Home and Community Care Ireland (HCCI) Annual Conference and Home Care Awards. This year’s theme was “A New Deal for Carers”. From 44 carers and teams shortlisted across nine categories, our own Monique Makepeace, Care Supervisor for Kildare South and West Wicklow, was named winner of Social Innovation of the Year.

Home care can be lonely work. Carers spend most of their day on the road and in clients’ homes, often without seeing a colleague. Monique saw that and did something about it. She set up carer forums and local coffee mornings where carers could raise issues, share what they’ve learned and get to know each other.

Monique joined Be Independent as a carer in 2020, and she has earned every step since then.

“Being nominated was so meaningful to me, as it meant I had been recognised by my colleagues. The rest has been beyond my expectations,” said Monique. “As I always say, we are most successful when we all work as a team. We are a formidable team!”

She wasn’t our only finalist. Linda Priestley (Mentoring and Leadership) and Aileen Tevlin (Nurse of the Year) both made the national final. All three have grown their careers with Be Independent over many years.

HCCI CEO Joseph Musgrave said the night was about more than celebration. “The awards celebrate excellence in care, but they also highlight the urgent need to strengthen the home care system.” He said a new deal for carers must include “greater investment in home care services” and “a clear workforce strategy”, warning that “too many carers are being asked to do more with insufficient resources.”

HCCI is working on that, pressing the HSE on mileage support for carers, pushing for changes to employment permit rules and building a national carer register to give the workforce the recognition it deserves.

Congratulations Monique, Linda and Aileen. You did us proud.