A Bradford health and social care project which encourages Asian communities to live a healthy lifestyle has scooped top prize in the 'Oscars' of the caring professions.

The Asian health and social care information project, run by Bradford Social Services and the Asian Health and Social Care communications team, in partnership with groups like Age Concern, beat off competition from 60 entries to win the category for older people in the annual Health and Social Care awards 2002. The Department of Health awards reward outstanding contributions to reforming the treatment and care of patients as well as improving the working lives of staff.

The Bradford project was set up two years ago to help Asian elders and their families understand what is on offer to them in health and social care after research showed a low uptake of services among elders.

Health and social care officer Akhlak Rauf was employed to work closely with Asian communities to find the best ways of spreading information.

"When you work at grass roots level you get personal satisfaction from seeing the results," he said. "But it is great when you get national recognition like this in appreciation of all the hard work that goes on and of the partnerships we have forged.

"On a daily basis we try to work directly with members of the community to show people a human face and help them gain access to information and services while enabling them to feedback any problems or concerns they may have."

Councillor Kris Hopkins, executive member for the community, said: "The award recognised the hard work of social services and the need to constantly look for new ways of getting the message across about the services we offer."

Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn, presented the team with a prize of £10,000 for the project at a ceremony in Westminister, which was also attended by HRH, The Prince of Wales.

He said: "These awards are special because they are about some very special people.

"People whose hard work, innovation, commitment, dedication and immense talent are improving the standard of health and social services across our country.

"These awards demonstrate the brilliant work they do each and every day in the service of other people."