Great British Care Awards: ‘Amazing’ Ravensthorpe home care co-ordinator overcomes deafness struggles to claim regional award

Becky Smith, who was born deaf, was nominated for a Yorkshire and Humberside Great British Care Award 2025 by her boss, Clair Byrne, at Abhi Rose Home Care, on Huddersfield Road.

Becky, 34, had a cochlear implant two years ago and documented her journey following the major operation on social media and through the home care service, where she has worked for five years.

But her disability has never got in the way of her job.

Clair, who is the registered manager at Abhi Rose, said: “Her struggles have been quite momentous over the years, but she has overcome these struggles. She is truly inspiring and a credit to our service and the people she supports.

“That is why I nominated her.”

A “proud” Becky added: “I am really proud but I don’t see that I’m doing anything different to what my job is but obviously everybody says that I am!

“I have struggled and there were challenges with the cochlear implants but I overcame those challenges quite quickly.

“I didn’t take the full expected recovery time – it should have been nearly a two-year rehabilitation, but it only took me nine months to recover. I still worked full time during this period.”

The successful operation has been “life changing” for Becky, enabling her to hear sounds she had never heard before.

Clair revealed: “It gave her the hearing quality that she deserves. She then started hearing sounds she had never heard before. She heard birds singing for the first time.

“It’s quite upsetting and emotional.”

Owned by Anita Burman, Abhi Rose was set up ten years ago in the former home of her parents.

Anita said: “I have seen Becky grow over the five years she has been here and she is absolutely phenomenal at her job.

“Despite her disability, she has gone out and helped other people, and has never let it get in the way of her job leading a team that she co-ordinates.

“Abhi Rose is a family where we all look out for each other and we are proud of that fact. It is overwhelming that ten years down the line we have people that are award winning.”

This is the second award Abhi Rose home care has secured over the last two years, with Clair winning Inspirational manager at the Stars of Social Care awards in 2024.

The Great British Care Awards 2025, which is a celebration of excellence across the home care sector, said of Becky:

“Becky is a dedicated home care co-ordinator whose person-centred approach fosters trust and comfort for clients and families.

“She supports, trains, and empowers staff while consistently delivering high-quality care. Her resilience, professionalism, and commitment make her an inspiring and deserving candidate.”

The national final of the Great British Care Awards will take place in Birmingham in February 2026 where Clair will lead her team to hopefully secure the national award for Becky.