Rachel Howells, a care practitioner from Alness and who works for Highland Home Carers, has been nominated as a Local Hero by Edward Mountain MSP.
Edward Mountain praised the “tremendous work” of Rachel Howells who went above and beyond during the pandemic to help vulnerable people and ensure continuity of care.
Edward Mountain MSP also commended the continuing contribution of everyone at Highland Home Carers for going the extra-mile and delivering a high-quality provision of care in the most challenging of times for the sector.
In July all 129 MSPs were invited to nominate a constituent who makes a positive difference to the lives of others – often with little recognition - as their Local Hero.
Taking place in early October, all Local Heroes will be invited to make a contribution to the Scottish Parliament’s Opening Ceremony, which they are able to attend in-person or virtually and which officially marks the start of the new parliamentary session.
Edward Mountain MSP said:
“As the Sixth Session of the Scottish Parliament gets underway, it’s right that we celebrate the achievements of our often unsung local heroes from every corner of Scotland.
“I must stress that it was really difficult to choose only one person for this opportunity as I know that there are so many Highlanders and Islanders who have put in a heroic effort to help their communities during the pandemic.
“I was particularly inspired by the tremendous work of Rachel Howells. At a time when covid-19 hit the Highlands particularly badly, Rachel continuously picked up additional work to help ensure that elderly and vulnerable people continued to receive the care and support that they required.
“I wish to highlight Rachel’s individual efforts and also those of everyone at Highland Home Carers for continuing to deliver high-quality care during the most difficult of times.
“Highland Home Carers is one of the most respected providers of social care in the region and is an outstanding example of an employee-owned company.
“I admire their continuing efforts to invest in their staff and develop new ways to improve the care and wellbeing of those they look after, whether that’s going the extra mile or pressing for a more person-centred model of social care.”
Campbell Mair, Managing Director of Highland Home Carers said:
“What a wonderful honour this is, thanks to Mr Edward Mountain for having recognised the contribution that all of our front-line colleagues make to the success of our company, and more importantly to the lives of the people who we care for and support. Highland Home Carers is a company to be proud of. Our aim is to make our Employee Owned Company the employer of choice in the sector and in the region, so that we can support vulnerable people in the communities in which we all live and work, and improve the lives of our precious and scarce resource : The Social Care Workforce. Rachel is an absolute credit to herself, to our organisation, and to care practitioners across Highland.”
