'Warm, caring and compassionate - that's how Steven Barnes describes his mum Vanessa Purvin.

Having spent over 25 years working in the care sector, Wollescote-based Vanessa now runs her own company and son Steven couldn't be more proud of her.

Steven said: "Mum always wanted to run her own care business. Over the years, she's seen a great deal of bad practice.

Dudley News:

"She was determined, that if she ran her own business, she'd make sure to go that extra mile.

"At Christmas time for instance, rather than give her clients a box of chocolates for instance, she gave them all an hour's free time. It's what elderly people really wanted, especially after Covid when they couldn't get out of their homes."

Vanessa's company, Independence At Home Ltd has now been up and running for the past five years, they've only been registered with the Care Quality Commission for the past year but, already, has been recognised as one of the top 20 care providers on Homecare.co.uk

Steven adds: "Mum doesn't look upon her clients as customers, they're friends, she knows all their families really well.

"She's sacrificed a great deal to achieve what she's done and offer a bespoke service to people. She goes beyond the call of duty, so that they can remain safe in their own homes."

Vanessa is just one of many nominations for the Dudley Borough Community Awards, where the winners will be revealed at an exclusive black tie event on Thursday, November 23 at the Copthorne Hotel in Dudley.

The closing date for nominations is noon on September 24, for more information or to submit your nomination visit the community awards section on our website.

If any businesses would like to sponsor the awards they can email debra.orr@localiq.co.uk