Two members of a Stockport mental health team have been given top awards by a national charity.

Local care heroes Sana Shazad and Faith Oliver both picked up accolades from their employer, the health and social care charity Making Space, at the organisation's annual 'colleague awards'.

The charity hosted its own glamorous ceremony at the Edwardian Hotel in Manchester, where the awards were given out to employees from across the country. More than 1,000 other employees were competing for the awards.

Sana was given the Outstanding Contribution Award in recognition of her "exceptional and inspirational contribution" to health and social care locally.

And Faith, who is currently working towards a degree in social work, received the Jordan Carrington Kind Hearted Award. This award was established in memory of Jordan Carrington, a former Making Space worker who sadly passed away last year. Faith accepted the award from Jordan's mum, Jennifer.

Faith Oliver (second from right) receives her well-deserved award (Image - Making Space)

"I'm incredibly honoured to receive the Outstanding Contribution Award", Sana said.

"I must give a special shoutout to my manager, Samantha Stockdale, who believed in me from the very start when I was a volunteer. The unwavering support from Sam and Making Space has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally and make this achievement possible."

Faith similarly described the award as 'overwhelming'. She said: "I've been a carer my whole life, before I even realised what that meant.

"I've watched the professionals come and go from a very young age and seen how much they've helped the people I love, and I've always known that's what I wanted to do as a career.

"Winning this award, and being presented with it by Jordan's mum, was so overwhelming. I don't do any of this for myself, so when other people say I've helped I know that I'm on the right path."

Sana Shazad receives her equally well-deserved award (Image - Making Space)

Making Space CEO Rachel Peacock said: "I am continually inspired by the amazing work of our colleagues in social care, and Sana and Faith truly deserve the recognition they have received. We are immensely proud of all our team members and grateful for the positive impact they make."

Samantha Stockdale, who nominated both winners, said: "Sana joined [Making Space] as a volunteer and has soared in her role. She is calm in the face of a crisis, has a diligent and thorough approach to her work, is unfailingly kind and brave, and constantly thinks on her feet about how to best meet the needs of others."

Speaking of Faith, Samantha said: "It was clear from her first week that Faith was calm, considered and had a range of skills that benefited the whole team, including her knowledge of social work and British Sign Language. 

"She quickly emerged as a key member, and her support comes from the perspective of real, lived experience of what many of the people we work with are going through." Faith is not only working for this care charity, but is also caring for her own family members.

Making Space provides services to people with complex mental health needs, learning disabilities, or dementia, as well as to older people and other carers.

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