Carer of the Year nominee – Neelam Shahzadi

Carer of the Year nominee – Neelam Shahzadi

Working 24-hour shifts, working on her days off and buying small gifts from her own pocket were just some of the ways Neelam Shahzadi showed her dedication to a woman she cared for at the end of her life.

The 35-year-old, from Hanley, has been a support care worker with Abimatic Care Ltd for around two years. One of her recent clients was the aunt of the actress and Your Heroes Awards judge Rachel Shenton.

As a long-standing Your Heroes judge, Rachel has encountered many stories of caring, selfless individuals who put other people before themselves but Neelam’s dedication stood out. Rachel has nominated Neelam as a Carer of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards.

Rachel said: “Anyone that knows about motor neurone disease will know what an utterly cruel disease it is. It robs a person of everything including their dignity in the end. My aunty was only 64, she was diagnosed last June. In the end she was totally mute, fed via a feeding tube and unable to walk.

“Neelam Shahzadi worked for a company called Abimatic Care Ltd, sourced through the NHS. All of the careers at Abimatic were brilliant but Neelam was extra special.

“The dedication and care given to my aunt in her final months is something we will never forget.

“To give some examples, Neelam would sometimes work 24 hour shifts just because my aunty felt more reassured when she was there. She has been known to come in on her days off because my aunty was distressed and the other nurses couldn’t soothe her.

“She spent money from her own pocket to buy things my aunt might like. She gave her head massages, sat for hours watching films and making her laugh. She did all this and had a husband and two little children at home herself. She is a true hero.”

Neelam, a mum-of-two, said she loves to care for people and feels very loyal about her work and the people she cares for.

“I’m feeling very proud that somebody appreciated me for the work that I do. I feel very honoured,” she said.

“I tried my best to make this lady comfortable at the end of her life. Every service user is important and we need to do whatever we can for them.”