LEONA Hollywood has been recognised as one of the leading home care employees in Scotland at a prestigious evening awards ceremony.

An HR administrator at Mears Care in Alva, she was named winner in the Care Services Coordinator/Administrator of the Year category at the Scottish Care Awards 2017.

This award celebrates those involved in the organisation and logistical planning of good care, which can often be a thankless task but without which, services would grind to a halt.

The awards ceremony – which celebrate the best of the independent care at home and housing support sector in Scotland – was held on Friday, May 12 at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow, hosted by Michelle McManus.

Leona said: "I was very surprised to be announced as the winner in the coordinator/administrator of the year award but also delighted to have achieved this.

"I have been in my role as an HR administrator for almost four years now and am very proud to have received this recognition.

"I am very thankful to my service manager, Susan McCormack for nominating me for this award and to all of my colleagues in the Clackmannanshire team who help and support me in my role on a daily basis."

Susan said: "Despite having had a tough year personally, Leona has achieved a huge amount professionally; exceeding expectations to support the team here to provide excellent care to our service users."

The awards have been hailed a huge success in recognising individuals, teams and companies, with more entries than ever flooding in each year from employers and employees nominating their peers and colleagues.

The care awards followed a full day conference with speakers including the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing, Shona Robison.