A Halton care worker has been recognised for his outstanding efforts with a prestigious national award.

TV personality Rylan Clark was on hand to present Phillip Gahan from Runcorn with the Support Worker of the Year accolade at the 2024 Great British Care Awards.

The ceremony was held in Birmingham and celebrates those who have have demonstrated outstanding excellence in their field.

Phillip works for social care charity Community Integrated Care, supporting adults with learning disabilities to live independent lives across Widnes.

Judges said: "Phillip’s outstanding passion and unwavering dedication resonated deeply with the judges, leaving a profound impression.

"He is a true asset to his sector, exuding utmost respect for both the individuals he supports and his colleagues. Phillip’s well-deserved victory reflects his exemplary commitment and contribution."

Hosted by Care Talk Magazine, the Great British Care Awards National Finals follow a series of regional awards events to crown overall national champions in social care, awarding innovative projects, excellent teams and outstanding care workers.

Speaking after his awards win, Phillip said he was 'absolutely blown away' by the announcement.

He said: "Hearing my name when they announced the winner was an indescribable feeling - I was over the moon.

"Social care is my passion. I’ve worked in other sectors, but nothing has ever given me the same joy and sense of accomplishment.

"Coming up with creative ways to support people, break down barriers, and ensure that every day is a brilliant day for them, is what it’s all about for me. So, to be recognised for doing just that is amazing."

He added that the 'icing on the cake' was that he had recently been promoted to service leader, managing three services across Widnes.

He said: "Winning the award felt like I’d come full circle and was an incredible end to my chapter as a support worker. I’m so excited to jump head first into my new role and keep learning and making a difference to even more people’s lives."

Samantha Brennan, managing director for Community Integrated Care, said the organisation was 'incredibly proud' of Phill.

She said: "Now, as Phill takes on the new challenge of service leader, we can’t wait to see how he grows and develops his talents even further. He is a wonderful representative for Community Integrated Care and a true asset to our teams across the North West.”