The pair who care

Cassandra Stribbling is the manager of Westwood House on Belmont Crescent in Old Town, and was put forward for the ITV West Carer of the Year award by one of her staff.

As a total surprise to Cassandra, she has landed a slot in the contest's top 20 entrants meaning that she is now in with a chance of snatching one of the top four slots and getting a cash prize.

The winner from the ITV West region will also be put into the race for the carer of the year title at this year's Daily Mirror Pride of Britain awards.

Cassandra has been working as a carer for 15 years, since she thought she would "have a go" at getting a job at a newly-opened home, when she was 19.

"I was working in a factory in Lambourn and they were opening a care home in the village and I thought I'd give it a go," she said.

"And I got a job and started working at this small home and worked up from there.

"I enjoy caring for other people, and there's always something new to face every day."

Her current position as manager of the Westwood means that Cassandra, 34, deals with people from the age of 18 up to 65, with a range of mental health issues, mild learning difficulties, and challenging behaviours.

She said: "At the moment I work with people who are actually quite able, and they enjoy a really nice life here. I enjoy helping them achieve that and more.

"I love my job and I'm here most of the time and sometimes it feels like I live here."

In his nomination of his boss, Victor Carvalho said: "The reason I would like to nominate Cassandra for the award is because she is unique, so helpful and loving towards the service users and will go out of the way to help them and in many cases putting her own life at risk to save them.

"I have not come across such a person in my life who is so dedicated to the profession and that's why I strongly feel that she should get the award for her good work and her service to society should be recognised."

Audrey simply loves her work

ANOTHER who has been nominated for the awards is Audrey Shotton-Gale.

The mum-of-two works every day of the year as a community carer and has not taken a day off work for seven years.

She has been nominated by her daughter Charlotte.

Audrey runs the Princess Place in Lyneham with her husband Clive, caring for elderly and disabled people in their own homes.

She often stays with clients overnight and works through the day.

Her average day starts at 6.30am and finishes at 9pm. "It is my choice to work these hours," said Audrey who has been a community carer for 15 years.

She says that enabling vulnerable people to stay safe in their own home inspires her.

"We look after people who are disabled and terminally ill who need a lot of care but want to stay in their own home," she said.

"We want to help them stay there.

"We have clients who are in their 90s and still living at home. It is wonderful.

"Often terminally ill people require 24-hour care. We stay with them. It also means we help their families cope so they can get rest."

Audrey and the other 10 staff at the agency bathe and put their clients to bed. Meal preparation, shopping and prescription collection are also part of their service.

Daughter Charlotte did not tell her mum about the ITV Carer of the Year nomination so Audrey was shocked when she found out.

Charlotte, 24, who is also a carer at Princess Place said: "Mum refuses to take a day off.

"If you speak to any doctor or district nurse in the area, they all know mum. She tries to help everybody.

"Others will say: I'll deal with that on Monday, but mum says: I'll do that for you now.' "She extends the care for everyone and does that extra bit."

Charlotte said a lot of the extra work done by Audrey goes unpaid.

"As her daughter I am amazed at her willingness to help others and if she is unable to assist she will always seek the help of other health care professionals to ensure a client's needs are met."