A CHESHIRE live-in carer has been awarded ‘Carer of the Year’ by Promedica24 in recognition of her dedication, kindness and positivity.

Promedica24 names its Carer of the Year based on votes from fellow carers and service users. Krystyna Hukowska has been a live-in carer for over six years, caring for now 62-year-old Carolyn Sigley.

The nominations that won her the award highlighted her “kindness, cheerful positivity, and willingness to help wherever possible.” Another nomination noted that Krystyna is “incredible, gives so much love and support, makes the house truly a home for the lady she cares for.”

Speaking about Krystyna, Carolyn said that she has become “like a sister,” and has thanked her for always going the extra mile and supporting her through difficult circumstances. The two enjoy listening to music together and Carolyn especially recalls when Krystyna built a snowman outside her house in winter, which brought her a lot of joy.

Reflecting on her favourite parts about being a live-in carer, Krystyna is proud that through her companionship and support, she was able to encourage Carolyn to go on more walks, socialise and exercise more, lifting her spirits and improving her wellbeing.

Krystyna said: “Thank you to Promedica24 and to everyone who nominated me for this award – it is a great honour to be named as Carer of the Year. Being a live-in carer is by no means an easy job, but it can be incredibly satisfying to help someone come out of their shell and thrive because of your companionship.

“I first became a live-in carer because I like working with people and I had experience taking care of my mother, and I have learnt so much more in the last six years caring for Carolyn. I think creating a safe atmosphere, working with the people you care for to motivate them to engage even in small activities, appreciating their efforts and respecting their opinions is key to be successful.”

Jonathan Exley, Care Manager at Promedica24, said: “All of us at Promedica24 are proud to have Krystyna as part of our team, and her recognition as Carer of the Year is very well-deserved. Krystyna’s dedication to providing exceptional care and her constant desire to go above and beyond for Carolyn perfectly embody our values.

“It has been great to see Krystyna develop her career at Promedica24 and build such a strong connection with Carolyn. We hope this award reflects our appreciation for the hard work of our carers who allow us to support thousands of people to live as independently as possible in the comfort of their own homes.”

Promedica24, which has been providing live-in and home care in the UK for ten years, regularly celebrates its staff’s achievements through other initiatives like the Care Manager of the Year award or the Kudos for Carers scheme. Promedica24’s carers have provided over 54,000 days of care to people across the country in the last year alone, and have supported more than 1,700 families to live as independently as possible in the comfort of their own homes.