Published: 3 July, 2023
A gtd healthcare care co-ordinator has been shortlisted for a Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Award. Nabila Noori, care co-ordinator for specialist services, was nominated in the Rising Star category for her inspiring journey, which started as an Afghan refugee housed in one of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme hotels to then being recruited as a gtd healthcare employee supporting asylum seekers across Manchester and Trafford. Nabila, who has been recognised for her exceptional dedication and ongoing assistance and care to Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, said it is heart-warming to be nominated for an award. “I would like to thank my managers, particularly Mandy Curran, senior operations manager, and Bethany Mitchell, operations manager, who have supported me throughout my journey and allowed me to prove myself, as well as my colleagues who have been by my side during such challenging times,” she said. “Leaving everything behind and immigrating to the UK with my family was the hardest thing I have ever experienced in my life. We have been through a lot of hardships and stress over the past 18 months but working for gtd healthcare has given me a chance to improve my skills. It brings me joy to work and help people in any possible way.” Bethany Mitchell, operations manager, said being shortlisted for a Rising Star Award is well-deserved. “Nabila has been supporting the people of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme since she first arrived and her hard work and determination are inspiring," she said. “While the programme has healthcare professionals on-site to assist with any medical issues that the new arrivals might be experiencing, communication can be challenging due to the language barrier. “gtd healthcare’s specialist services team noticed that Nabila spoke fluent English so asked if she would be willing to assist with translation – she jumped into action - no questions asked and started supporting the team and service users to navigate the NHS system. “Nabila and her family were then moved to a different location where she continued to help the other service users to register with the relevant services and offered navigation support, where needed. “She assisted so many people while being the main support for her own family and dealing with her own struggles. However, she quickly learnt the way of life in the UK, despite the trauma she had faced. “Later, Nabila joined gtd healthcare as a care co-ordinator and has been nothing but a gold star employee ever since, she adheres to the organisation’s values in everything she does. Nabila takes every opportunity to learn and goes above and beyond for everyone. Specialist services would not be the same without her." The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme offers relocation or other assistance to former locally employed staff in Afghanistan following evacuations. The Afghan people are housed in hotels until more stable arrangements are made. Those who were shortlisted for an award have received a letter of congratulations from Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester. All shortlisted nominations will be considered by a judging panel. The winners will be announced at a sponsored event in Manchester on 13 July, 2023. Best of luck Nabila! The awards received more than 530 nominations from across Greater Manchester, which was a new record. And we are delighted to announce that 15 of those nominations were for gtd healthcare employees! Huge congratulations to everyone who was nominated – your hard work has been recognised.