Recognising women who have achieved “notable success and stand out as a role model and inspiration to other women” across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, Harley took home both the Sue Ryder Recognition Award and the highest accolade of the evening, the Robyn Jones Southern Woman of Achievement Award.
Having worked at the hospice for 18 years, Harley provides all meals for patients, staff and visitors, and was praised for her “inspirational and unwavering dedication to the hospice, patients and their families, her team and the Sue Ryder charity” as well as doing “everything she can to make mealtimes special.”
She said: “I’m thrilled and overwhelmed to have won these awards. I love working at the hospice and being able to make a difference.
“Food is so important in end-of-life care for patients and relatives - both physically and emotionally. I lost my husband to cancer so I know how comforting it is to see a loved one enjoy a meal and to share food with them.
“Giving our patients and their families the finest, freshly-prepared food that they want to eat, and when they want to eat it, is what drives me and the team. These awards recognise their hard work too.”
To ensure mealtimes are as homely and enjoyable as possible, Harley and her team tailor menus to the suit individual needs - offering a variety of choice, flexible mealtimes and preparing ‘off menu’ dishes if requested. She was also praised for having worked every Christmas Day since joining, “to give people a memorable last Christmas with all the trimmings.”
Tim Jones, CH&Co Group chairman and husband of the late Robyn Jones (who inspired the Robyn Jones Southern Woman of Achievement Award), commented: “My wholehearted congratulations to Beccy Harley. Her commitment to the Nettlebed Hospice patients and their families is incredible and she deserves such prestigious recognition.
“The Robyn Jones Southern Woman of Achievement Award is the highest accolade of the evening, as it celebrates the overall winner. Beccy’s understanding of how to bring comfort to patients and relatives in such difficult times, her ‘above and beyond’ approach and her continued dedication really impressed the judges of this award.
“There was no doubt that she was its clear and worthy recipient. Robyn (Jones) was always a champion of the unsung hero and she’d be delighted by Beccy’s success.”