WHEN it comes to supporting a fellow worker who has a learning disability, Jane Hudson never gives it a second thought – she is there to help, even when it means making lengthy bus journeys in her own time.

And domestic assistant Jane’s willingness to help has now been recognised at the North Yorkshire County Council Health and Adult Services Staff Excellence Awards.

Jane works at the Larpool Lane elderly people’s home in Whitby and won the ‘Supporting Independence’ category at the awards, which are a thank you to those who go the extra mile and make a difference to the lives of the county’s most vulnerable people.

Home manager Avril Paton said: “Jane supports another domestic assistant, named Jemmella, who has a learning disability and ensures that her colleague has the equipment she requires, monitors her when she is working and makes sure she has a break during her shift.

“If her colleague is unable to complete a task then Jane either works alongside her or finishes the task for her.’’

Jane does not drive so relies on the bus service. It takes an hour to travel to her place of work – a trip she has regularly made on her days off to help Jemella.