A TEAM of Wyre Forest carers who looked after people's relatives while they were isolating during lockdown have been chosen as our next lockdown heroes.

After Wyre Forest Rotary groups launched their search for the district's pandemic superstars in November, the hard-working Wyre Forest team at Crossroads Care has been nominated by one of its staff members to receive our third Lockdown Hero award.

Staff at Crossroads, a Worcestershire-based homecare charity offering practical support to family-based carers, were on hand to help elderly and disabled people across the district to live safely and independently at home during the pandemic.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Mandy Minard nominated her fellow carers at Crossroads for the awardMandy Minard nominated her fellow carers at Crossroads for the award

Crossroads stepped in to look after people whose family carers were forced to isolate or tested positive for Covid-19. Care workers also brought some festive cheer to people who were unable to travel to see their loves ones, and supported more people than ever before during the lockdowns by picking up shopping, taking them to hospital and collecting medication, and are now supporting the vaccination programme by arranging appointments and taking people to have their coronavirus jabs.

Crossroads care worker Mandy Minard, who nominated the Wyre Forest Crossroads team for our lockdown hero award, said: "My colleagues have worked throughout lockdown one and two and despite all the worry of Covid have still provided the best services to the individuals we provide care for.

"We have been lucky to have plenty of access to PPE although its not easy wearing a mask whilst working but the safety of our service users and ourselves have always been paramount."

Responding to the nomination, Helen Simmons, Crossroads' registered care manager, said: “We are thrilled that our Wyre Forest team have been recognised for the outstanding care and support they provide.

"These times have proved a challenge for everyone. Each of our carers has a unique story about how we have helped their relative or friend with extra care and support needs during lockdown.

"A huge thank you to John Cox and his team at the Bewdley Rotary Club and the Kidderminster Shuttle for organising these awards.”

Alongside Wyre Forest Rotary groups, The Shuttle is searching for the heroic individuals, community groups, charities and businesses that have kept people safe and well throughout the lockdowns.

We’ll be publishing your nominations in the paper each week and Wyre Forest Rotary will award certificates to those who have gone that extra mile to help their community.

To nominate a lockdown hero, readers need only fill out our online nomination form below before Sunday, January 31, telling us why that person or business is deserving of some recognition.