A CARE home in Thurrock has picked up two national awards.

Sunnyside House in High Street, Aveley, cares for around 12 adults with learning disabilities, and specialises in preparing them to move into their own property and live independently.

It won the award for the most effective new approach to service delivery, as well as an award for its My Learning Independence For Ever programme, at the Skills for Care event in Manchester.

Owner, Andrew Azzopardi, was thrilled to win.

He said: “To be selected by Skills for Care is a phenomenal achievement and we are keen to spread the work of Sunnyside and the My LIFE programme further afield.

“We seriously hope to change the face of social care in England so every adult with a learning disability can benefit from a consistent standard of life-skills training and that providers display the honesty required to support those who are ready to become more independent.”

Speaking about why Sunnyside was recognised for its work, Skills for Care chief executive, Sharon Allen, said: “Sunnyside House thoroughly deserved their winner of winners crown as their innovative approach to person centred care beat off fierce competition from all the finalists in the eight categories.

"Everyone at the ceremony was impressed by their absolute commitment to person centred care and thinking differently about service delivery that has completely transformed the lives of the people they work with."