The Surrey Care Awards is a wonderful annual event celebrating the outstanding individuals and organisations that make a difference every day in the world of social care.
This year, the award for Care Worker of the Year (Supported Living/Day & Community Services) went to Thalia Selby, one of our fantastic support workers here at Dayspace. So we thought we’d take this opportunity to ask her a few questions about her experience with Dayspace, working in the social care sector, and her thoughts on her award win.
How long have you been working at Dayspace, and what first inspired you to work in the care and learning-disability sector?
I have worked at Dayspace part time since 2019. I have always enjoyed caring for others and love being creative at work. Dayspace offered a brilliant balance of those two things: caring whilst creating dances, singing, baking, acting, and so much more.
What does a typical day look like for you at Dayspace?
There is no typical day at Dayspace and that is what I love about it! Each day is so different depending on who is in and what sessions we are running. But every day requires loads of energy, positivity and fun – there is never a dull moment.
What do you love most about working at Dayspace, and what’s a moment from a recent day that really encapsulates this?
I love making a difference to people’s lives on a day-to-day level. The world feels very heightened at the moment, with big gestures of grandeur and consumerism taking up lots of space in the media, and the small acts of kindness, care and friendship are so often lost. Dayspace upholds these simple yet vital values. Working here never fails to remind me of what truly matters in life: connection, care for others, and compassion. I love sharing these values with like-minded people and seeing the impact on our customers. Knowing that I have improved someone’s day or made them feel happier, valued and seen is why I love working at Dayspace.
How did it feel to be nominated for, and then win, the Care Worker of the Year award?
I was honestly shocked. I didn’t know I had been nominated until I was shortlisted. To be shortlisted was an honour and to win was crazy! I am very touched and flattered. I do feel I am a small cog in a big machine of people working so hard within Dayspace and Millsted Care as a whole, but to be recognised for my individual contributions was wonderful. I am over the moon and still in shock – I do my job because I love it and to be awarded for that is just very lovely.
What does the award mean to you personally and professionally?
Professionally it means a lot. I have been working for Dayspace/Millsted Care part-time now for over six years and this award is a reminder to myself of how far I’ve come and how much I’ve learnt and grown as a carer in that time. Personally, it is a lovely reminder that the work we do doesn’t go unnoticed by others and that the lovely community we have at Dayspace is an inspiration to other care companies. We need more places like Dayspace and hopefully the recognition of this award will highlight that!
What have been some of your standout moments or proudest achievements at Dayspace?
I went to university and that took me away from Dayspace for a while. When I returned more frequently in January 2025, a real achievement for me was that customers who hadn’t seen me for a long time remembered who I was and remembered details about me and the times we had shared. It was a wonderful feeling to know the work I had previously done was remembered and that people had missed me and the time we spent together. That really spurred me on and made me feel so welcome and gave me extra confidence in the quality of care I was providing.
What do you think makes Dayspace different from other day services providers/support environments?
Dayspace has a unique structure in my opinion. Everything is branded within the Dayspace bubble and this makes it very accessible and all-encompassing for those who are joining us. Each session is labelled a space: Bakespace, Dancespace, Createspace, Potteryspace… it’s the little details like this that make Daypsace feel like a community and a family, not just a day service. I think the longevity of our customer base also shows how unique we are; customers return to us day in, day out, and that is testament to the structure of the service and the quality of delivery by the staff teams.
What’s something about your job that people might be surprised to learn?
How long customers have been with us. Some people initially think it is a drop-in service and that no one stays for long, but how wrong they are! We have customers who’ve been with us since we opened over 14 years ago and that’s something that surprises people. Dayspace continues to grow and develop and provide a long lasting impact in people’s lives.
In your view, what makes someone a great support worker?
Someone who is instinctively kind. You also need to have patience with those you meet and also with yourself. It takes time to learn the ropes, and learn peoples likes and dislikes – even down to how people take their tea! All of these details set you apart and make you a wonderful care worker. But it’s a long process to remember everything. Patience, kindness, compassion and positivity are what make great care workers.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about working in adult social care?
Come and join us! Working in adult social care is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. If you’re kind, passionate about caring for others and making a difference in people’s lives, adult social care is for you!