A SENIOR support worker has been recognised at an awards ceremony.

Caroline Newton, who works at Belong Atherton, won the Best Carer who Contributes to Activity Provision award at the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA) Gala.

The 39-year-old was nominated for the gong by the Mealhouse Lane care village’s experience coordinator Gemma Willetts for her work to engage customer and colleagues in the community.

Caroline organises and take part in regular fundraisers for her place of work and well-known for creating special experiences for customers.

One of her efforts including organising for a resident to sing with a brass band in front of more than 100 people including Greater Manchester mayor and former Leigh MP Andy Burnham.

After winning her award, Caroline said: “I was completely overwhelmed.

I’ve worked at Belong Atherton for four years now and I feel incredibly humbled to receive this award.

“I still can’t quite believe it.”

An 88-year-old resident at Belong Crewe, John Harvey, also scooped the Growing Old Disgracefully accolade for riding the world’s fastest zip wire- more than 80mph- to raise funds for charity.

He was nominated for his willingness to live life to the full and inspiring others to take up new challenges like him.

NAPA’s aim is to improve the quality of life for older people through a range of personalised activities.

Belong specialises in supporting people with dementia with employees given training to cater for residents’ needs.

A total of seven Belong care villages are situated across the north at Atherton, Crewe, Didsbury, Macclesfield, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Wigan and Warrington. There are also more care villages which are in the process of being constructed.