The annual Proud to Care Awards are an inspiring celebration of the dedicated individuals making a difference in adult social care across Cornwall. This year, the awards evening will culminate in a special event at the Eden Project on Friday, September 19, 2025, during Professional Care Workers Week. With ten prestigious awards available and hundreds of nominations received across the county, each nomination highlights the compassion, skill, and commitment of Cornwall’s care workforce.
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our incredible Clarissa Mitchell, Registered Behaviour Technician, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Learning Champion of the Year award! This well-deserved recognition highlights her exceptional dedication to fostering growth and development within the social care sector.
When asked for her response to the nomination, Clarissa said:
“I’m honoured to have been nominated for the Proud to Care Awards under the “Learning Champion of the Year” category. To be recognised for something I’m passionate about is heart warming. Continously learning and supporting others to grow and learn is a part of the job I truly love. Making it to the final is both humbling and exciting, and I’m really grateful to everyone who’s believed in me along the way.”
Meet Clarissa Mitchell: Our Learning Champion
Clarissa Mitchell joined Green Light in July 2021 and quickly demonstrated her talent and commitment, progressing from Support Worker to Senior Support Worker before being promoted to Behaviour Technician in September 2022. She brought with her extensive experience in health and social care from a range of settings, making her an invaluable asset to our team. Clarissa is currently part of the September Lodge and Tresleigh teams near Truro, where she plays a crucial role supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism.
When asked about her passion for this vital work, Clarissa shared, “I first worked in this sector almost ten years ago and have always loved watching others achieve rather than let barriers define them… When I came across Green Light their ethos and values really stood out, it was a ‘no-brainer’.” She also highlighted how her previous studies in Occupational Therapy have profoundly influenced her approach, helping her “understand behaviour; the impact the environment has on it; and the importance of working with a person-centred approach.”
Why Clarissa is a True Learning Champion
Clarissa’s nomination for “Learning Champion of the Year” truly encapsulates her role as a driving force for development within Green Light. As a Registered Behaviour Technician, she not only excels in her own technical practice but demonstrates a consistent and proactive commitment to the growth of those around her. Here’s what her nominators had to say about her inspiring work:
“Clarissa is an exceptional example of what it means to champion learning and development in the social care sector. As a Behaviour Technician, she not only excels in her technical practice but demonstrates a consistent and proactive commitment to the growth and development of those around her. Clarissa is a mentor to her colleagues, offering guidance, sharing best practice, and helping team members reflect and build their skills in delivering positive, person-centred support.
Clarissa’s enthusiasm for continuous learning is evident in every aspect of her work. She is currently undertaking the British Institute of Learning Disabilities Positive Behaviour Support Practice Leadership course and wasted no time in embedding the learning into her practice. Her ability to take theory and translate it into effective support strategies has had a direct impact on the quality of care provided. She is reflective, innovative, and always looking for ways to improve not only for herself but for the individuals she supports and the teams she works with.
One of Clarissa’s most inspiring qualities is her determination to grow through challenge. Public speaking was once a personal barrier, but rather than avoid it, she identified it as a key area for development. She committed herself to overcoming this challenge and has since gone on to deliver high-quality PBS training to new inductees.
Clarissa actively encourages a culture of continuous improvement. She promotes reflective practice, encourages team members to access resources, and is always on hand to coach. Her ability to engage colleagues, foster confidence, and model best practice has enhanced morale and competence across teams.
Clarissa leads by example. Her dedication to her progression and her investment in others, embodies the values this award seeks to recognise. She is not only advancing her own professional journey but is lifting others as she goes creating a stronger, more capable and compassionate workforce.”
We wish Clarissa the very best of luck at the Proud to Care Awards evening. Her unwavering commitment to learning, personal growth, and empowering her colleagues truly makes her a champion in every sense of the word. We are incredibly proud to have her as part of the Green Light team in Cornwall.