A dedicated Bury support worker has been crowned "Greater Manchester’s People’s Champion" at an awards night.

Donna Bannister, who works at Mill House supported housing, was announced the winner of the category at the GM Health and Social Care Champions Awards ceremony.

Voted for by the public, Donna was chosen for putting the health and wellbeing of others at the heart of everything she does, treating everyone as an individual and always showing respect.

Donna volunteered at Mill House, which is operated by national adult health and social care charity Making Space, for four years before taking on a paid role as a tenancy support worker in February 2022.

According to Jenny MacLeod, regional head of operations at Making Space, even when working as a volunteer, Donna was the first to arrive and the last to leave.

She said: “From starting out as a volunteer, Donna is now the sole support worker at Mill House, supporting 12 tenants, some of whom have challenging needs.

"She treats each person as her priority and places them at the centre of all decision making.

"She will never go home until everyone who needs care has received it.

“Her recent wellbeing initiatives have included a walking group to explore local green spaces, a tenants’ healthy eating group with monthly cookery, a men’s group as a safe space for male residents to express themselves, and she has also encouraged tenants to take an interest in gardening.

“Donna is a naturally compassionate and empathetic person who takes pride in everything she does and personally oversees every issue to a successful outcome.

"She is totally dedicated to our tenants and we are lucky to have her. She is a very worthy winner.”

Donna added: "Being a support worker is something I am very passionate about.

"It can be challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding.

"For me, it is seeing the positive impact of my efforts on the lives of the individuals that I support that makes it so worthwhile. It was lovely to get this recognition."

The GM Health and Social Care Champions Awards are the only Greater Manchester-wide awards that recognise the contributions of the entire health and care workforce.

A record number of entries were submitted this year from each of the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs with nominations in 13 different categories.

This years’ winners were announced at a sponsored event in Manchester hosted by TV presenter Michelle Ackerley.