Norfolk, UK
— A Norfolk social worker still pursuing her
career at the age of 77 has been nominated for a top
national award for her contribution to care.
Barbara Ross has been put
forward for the Outstanding Achiever of the Year 2006
award, one of the Department of Health's annual Health
and Social Care Awards.
She is the oldest social
worker in Norfolk, if not England, and a leading expert
in the field of gender dysphoria - people who feel that
they have a gender identity that is different from their
anatomical sex.
She founded the
Norwich-based Gender Identity Services and set up the
Oasis group for transgender people. An association has
been named after her.
Mrs Ross, who is planning
a conference at UEA in June for transgendered people and
fellow professionals, said: "I am really thrilled to be
nominated because it is work I have done for such a very
long time and I have a huge commitment to it."
Chris Mowle, cabinet
member for adult social services, said: "If anyone
deserves to win this award then that is Barbara. She has
a zest for life and has gained the admiration of her
colleagues through her continuous enthusiasm for social
work and her drive to improve services.
"Barbara's work in
Norfolk with trans-gendered people is an example of best
practice and the envy of many other areas throughout the
country."
Employed by Norfolk
County Council's adult social services department, Mrs
Ross - who has been in social work for more than 50 years
- also provides a service for Norfolk and Waveney Mental
Health Partnership NHS Trust.
Adult social services
colleague Chrissie Pye nominated Mrs Ross for the
award.
"Transgender is still
surrounded by ignorance, fear and bigotry. Without
Barbara's counselling many of those who have transitioned
successfully and now live perfectly normal lives within
the community would have become lonely and isolated
people," she said.
The winner will be
announced at a national ceremony being held in London on
Monday, February 26.
