Monday 3 November marked the Rutland Snowdrop Award 2025, an occasion celebrating the incredible hard work of the county's health and care workers. 

The Rutland Snowdrop Award celebrates the human side of caring, offering empathy and kindness in an often emotionally challenging and thankless role. This is especially important with end of life care and can make a huge difference to the person dying and also their loved ones and families. 

This year's Snowdrop Award was won by Adrienne Pienaar, who was nominated for providing exceptional end of life care. 

Winner of the 2025 Rutland Snowdrop Award Adrienne Pienaar (Photo: Grace Kennington)

Her nomination by a friend described her work with a paraplegic client, enabling him to continue a rich and varied professional and social life to the end of his life. 

Adrienne only began working in the care sector in 2020, having never previously considered working in the profession, coming from a farming background. 

She described her work as 'something that she never wanted to do,' but that she had found it 'extremely fulfilling.' 

The award was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr. Sarah Furness at a ceremony in her home, followed by a celebratory afternoon tea attended by local supporters of the Snowdrop Awards, Dying Matters Rutland and local press. 

As patron of Dying Matters, the Lord Lieutenant was delighted to recognise Adrienne's work, thanking her for 'going above and beyond and her kindness and compassion significantly impacted and improved the quality of the end of her client's life, helping him make the most of the time he had left.'  

Adrienne was presented the award at a special Afternoon Tea at the Lord Lieutenant's house (Photo: Snowdrop Awards)

She also thanked care workers like Adrienne 'making bereavement much easier knowing loved ones are getting the best care.' 

Dying Matters Rutland is a local charity dedicating to improving end of life care, encouraging open conversations and normalising discussions about dying. 

They are holding an event on 6 May 2026 from 2-4pm at the Pavillion at Rutland Showground, called 'Dead Easy – A practical guide to the inevitable.'  

This hopes to be an upbeat opportunity to find out more about the inevitable fact that we will all die, encouraging conversations with talks from solicitors, funeral directors, care providers, hospices and bereavement support teams. 

To find out more about Dying Matters Rutland, they have a comprehensive website with lots of information for anyone facing or caring for someone at the end of life. There are also Bereavement Help Points across Oakham and Uppingham providing drop-in support for people experiencing loss.