Adrian Anim, a 51-old Community Nurse Practitioner from Newcastle who became a nurse after a 20-year career as a decorator, is now a finalist in the national Great British Care Awards.
Adrian works in the Sunderland Learning Disability Community Treatment Team at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
Adrian’s nomination for the awards came as a result of feedback given by the mother of a young South Tyneside man with physical and mental health needs.
Adrian was truly amazing with my son, who normally asks people to go home and doesn’t like them in our house, but Adrian nearly had me in tears over how understanding and caring he was with him.
Mother who nominated Adrian
In her nomination, the local mum said: “I have been dealing with social services for over 20 years as my son is disabled and I have never met anyone who shows compassion like this gentleman does.
“Adrian was truly amazing with my son, who normally asks people to go home and doesn’t like them in our house, but Adrian nearly had me in tears over how understanding and caring he was with him.
“To see my son so happy around him was a day I will remember for a very long time.”
Adrian has already won the Social Care Nurse Award at the North East regional Great British Care Awards in 2021, which also secured him a place in the finals for the same category in the national Great British Care Awards.
Adrian had worked as a decorator for 20 years before deciding to switch careers and become a nurse at 40.
Explaining why he decided to make the change, he says: “I had been decorating some homes for people with learning disabilities, and I absolutely loved being around them, engaging with them – I spent more time talking than painting!
“It was from there that I decided to work as a support worker for a few years, before applying to university to qualify as a nurse. Having left school with no qualifications, I completed different courses and went to evening classes to gain what I needed to be accepted onto the course. I was over the moon getting the place at Northumbria University, and completing my degree was my biggest achievement by far.”
I had been decorating some homes for people with learning disabilities, and I absolutely loved being around them, engaging with them – I spent more time talking than painting!
Adrian AnimCommunity Nurse Practitioner
Adrian is passionate about his job. “I’m part of a great and very supportive team. I love meeting with patients, families, and care staff and most importantly, I love seeing the positive impact our work can have on people – seeing patients’ quality of life significantly improve.
“Being nominated for this award is something that I’m very proud of. Hard work is always appreciated by those in need, and I’m pleased it’s been recognised. Any role in the care sector can be tough at times, but also so fulfilling.”
We feel very privileged to have Adrian in our team.
Michael GearyManager in the Sunderland Learning Disability Community Treatment Team
Michael Geary, Adrian’s manager in the Sunderland Learning Disability Community Treatment Team at CNTW, said: “Adrian only joined our team recently, but it’s clear to everyone what an asset he is.
“He is so supportive to his colleagues, always looking for ways to progress and improve his skills, and goes out of his way to provide a first-class service to everybody he meets. We feel very privileged to have Adrian in our team.”
Announcing that he had won the regional Great British Care award, judges commented: “Adrian came into nursing later in life, but has absolutely made the most of his time in this role, improving the lives of so many, through a very personalised approach that surpasses anything this judge has seen in a long time.
Adrian came into nursing later in life, but has absolutely made the most of his time in this role, improving the lives of so many, through a very personalised approach.
Great British Care Awards judge
“He makes a real difference not just to those in his care but other team members, who learn and improve while working with his drive for greater empowerment and clear communication and understanding.
“It is very clear he loves what he does, and his positivity is infectious.”
The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional events throughout the UK and are a celebration of excellence across the care sector. The awards pay tribute to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding excellence within their field of work.
The winners are due to be announced on the 18th of March 2022, at a ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.