Celebrations for Extra Hands care company

There have been celebrations at a West Norfolk care company whose director has won a top industry award.

A West Norfolk care company director is celebrating success after winning a prestigious industry award at a ceremony celebrating the best providers in the county.

Extra Hands' company director Hazel Evans was presented with the Harold Bodmer Outstanding Achievement Award at the Norfolk Care Awards 2018.

The award was created in memory of the former executive director of Norfolk County Council's adult social services who died suddenly in 2016. The ceremony was held at Sprowston Manor and was hosted by actor, comedian and writer Karl Minns.

Mrs Evans started the company, which has offices in Heacham and covers the whole of Norfolk, with her husband David 25 years ago and they have been offering a range of services across the county which now includes holiday care, well-being checks and dementia care.

"I am absolutely delighted to have won this very special award," Hazel Evans said. "I have been working in care since 1987 and my passion and drive has always been to raise the profile of social care in Norfolk. 

"To win this accolade is an absolute honour both personally and for my company and I am very proud of the outstanding levels of service that Extra Hands has provided over the last 25 years and will continue to do so for many years to come."

The company, which has now won at these awards for the fourth time in five years, was also highly commended in this year's 'Promoting dignity & Respect in Everyday Life' Category.

A total of ten categories were subject to the judging panel, with strict criteria to be met in each area of the caring profession.

The award-winning Extra Hands was the first in the county to offer a regular 'well-being check service', made on as many days of the week as people require.


The service being offered by the company provides a new dimension to care of the elderly and other members of the community who may need support.

The service has been designed specifically to help and support family members or neighbours who currently fulfil a caring function, but who may need to take a break for any period of time, or whose daily routines make regular visits inconvenient.

In addition to the monitoring function, there is also the benefit of regular social interaction, which can so easily drop off for the elderly or isolated, and those who live alone.