Organisations across Lowestoft were honoured at a county-wide awards ceremony.

Lowestoft Journal: My Life, My Fun winner at the GEM awards were Levington Court. Picture: SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCILMy Life, My Fun winner at the GEM awards were Levington Court. Picture: SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL (Image: Archant)

The best of Suffolk's care providers were recognised during he second Suffolk Going the Extra Mile (GEM) awards, with the focus on the achievements of supported living, sheltered housing and care at home providers.

There was plenty of joy locally, with Lowestoft-based organisations honoured in five of the six categories.

Honours went to the Levington Court sheltered housing facility in London Road South, East Coast Recovery in Bevan Street East and Bonds Meadow/Westley House – all from Lowestoft.

The achievements of providers who deliver creative, innovative and dignified care were marked.

The event, hosted by Suffolk County Council's Safeguarding Team and supported by the Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB), took place at Trinity Park in Ipswich on January 21 and was sponsored by Integrated Care 24.

Alan Murray, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for health and adult care, said: 'These awards provide the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the good practice and quality services that are being provided to adults here in Suffolk.

'The GEM awards is not just about providing a good quality service, as this is expected from all care providers, but - as the title suggests - this is about them Going the Extra Mile.

'It is an opportunity to celebrate exceptional cases and those who are committed to going above and beyond 'good' to ensure that the people they support live life to the full and have truly positive experiences.'

'I congratulate all those who were recognised on the day and I urge all to keep up the great work.'

The shortlisted providers, along with people who use their services, were all invited to an Oscars-style ceremony, with awards handed out in six different categories.

The winners received a glass award made by Cipher Crystal of Theberton, alongside an arrangement of flowers by Tracy Jane's Florist of Ipswich.

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ROLL OF HONOUR

The six categories and winners were:

My Life, My Home

Highly Commended: Levington Court (Very Sheltered Housing – Lowestoft)

Winner: Heritage Care at Home (Leiston)

My Life, My Choice

Commended: Hope House (Kesgrave)

Highly Commended: 70 Bixley Road (Sue Ryder, Ipswich)

Winner: Mencap Supported Living (Hear My Voice – Voting Campaign Suffolk)

My Life, My Fun

Highly Commended: Thera for Iplanit

Winner: Levington Court (Very Sheltered Housing – Lowestoft)

My Life, My Food

Highly Commended: 3 Meadow Way

Winner: East Coast Recovery (Domestic Care Agency – Lowestoft)

My Life, My Safety

Highly Commended: Bonds Meadow/Westley House (United Response) (Supported Living – Lowestoft)

Winner: Mencap East Suffolk Services (Promotion of Safeguarding Training for Customers)

My Life, My Independence

Winner: East Coast Recovery (Domestic Care Agency – Lowestoft)