A Mansfield woman is a finalist in home care provider Caremark’s UK award The Incredibles.

Nicola Carter has been recognised as one of the country’s top 10 care assistants out of more than 5,000.

Caremark said she stood out for her passion and commitment to improving the lives of her customers, delivering not only professional care but also kindness and empathy that leaves a lasting impact.

Nicola’s caregiving career began in 2015 after caring for a family member.

Since then, she has dedicated herself to helping others and is known for her patience, resilience, and commitment.

Simon Ford, managing director of Caremark Mansfield & Ashfield, said: “Nicola’s commitment to her customers’ wellbeing is remarkable.

“Recently, she has invested weeks helping one customer by clearing excessive hazards from hoarding and working closely with social workers to create a safe and welcoming home environment.

“Nicola’s respectful and adaptable approach helped her earn the customer’s trust, who felt comfortable enough to share personal identity changes.

“Thanks to her support and understanding, this customer now enjoys greater independence, including a wheelchair for mobility and a lift outside their home.

“A council team expressed surprise at the transformation, noting the customer’s newfound optimism and engagement in life.”

In another case, Nicola quickly identified that the customer, a hoarder, relied heavily on his elderly sister, who struggled to meet his needs.

Simon, who nominated Nicola, added: “Again, she took the initiative to clear and organise the space and suggested adding regular grocery shopping and weekly cleaning support, which brought significant relief and structure to both the customer and his sister.

“The customer commented that he could not believe there was a carpet in his lounge after not seeing it for such a long time.”

Caremark is hosting the awards event at Fortnum & Mason in London with all finalists treated to a luxurious afternoon tea.

The highlight of the event will be the awarding of The Incredible of the Year title.