A BOLTON social worker has been selected as one of seven finalists in their category at the National Social Worker of the Year Awards.

Amanda Stewart is a mental health social worker for the North Bolton Community Mental Health Team (CMHT), which is run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with Bolton Council.

She has been chosen as a finalist in the Mental Health Social Worker of the Year Award category with the winners set to be announced at an awards ceremony in London on Friday, November 29.

Amanda was nominated for the award by one of her service users, who she has worked with for over five years.

The user said: “Amanda thoroughly deserves this award as she always has the service users best interests at heart, she always goes the extra mile.

“I am a complex case and Amanda works with me regarding positive risk taking and thinks outside the box, nothing is too much trouble”

“I was quite shocked,” said Amanda. “Mental health services often don’t get the credit they deserve, so it’s nice to feel appreciated; it’s especially nice when the nomination is from a service user.”

The Social Worker of the Year Awards were established in order to celebrate the outstanding achievements of practitioners and teams up and down the country. The national initiative takes place annually, with awards spanning 16 categories, recognising social workers and teams in children’s and adult’s services, mental health and the charity sector.

Rachel Tanner, director of adult services at Bolton Council, added: “Amanda is a brilliant example of the many committed social workers we are lucky to have here in Bolton and just to be shortlisted for this award is a remarkable achievement.”