The Care Home Employer Award
Winner – Stow Healthcare Group
This achievement reflects your unwavering commitment to transforming homes into outstanding care environments. Your investment in staff development, exemplified by remarkable journeys like Alex’s transition from Kitchen Porter to Operations Director, showcases your dedication to growth and collaboration. With a proactive approach to care standards and an impressive 93% occupancy rate, you continue to set new benchmarks in the industry.
The Home Care Employer Award
Winner – Bluebird Care Colchester & Tendring
This remarkable achievement underscores Bluebird’s dedication to providing exceptional care and support to your clients, as well as your commitment to fostering a positive work environment for your staff. This award recognizes not only your outstanding service but also the hard work and dedication of every member of your team. Together, you have created a culture of care that inspires others and transforms lives.
Highly Commended – Home Instead East
Home Instead East has shown dedication and ambition in supporting its staff. Each team member benefits from an outstanding support network and is part of a high-performing team where their contributions are genuinely valued.
The Care Home Worker
Winner – Rolando Jr. Legaspi, Anchor
Rolando is a creative and visually driven individual with a passion for arts, crafts, music, and dance. He engages residents through artistic exhibitions and meaningful activities, fostering connection and involvement. His dedication, shown in initiatives like “August in Bloom,” emphasizes sustainability and resident participation. Rolando’s warmth, consistency, and energy make him an invaluable presence in the home.
Highly Commended – Shirley Watters, Optimal Living (Luton) Ltd
Shirley is a calm and compassionate individual who consistently goes out of her way to support others. Her dedication is evident in her willingness to come in on her days off to take members out, always with a warm smile. Shirley’s genuine love for her work and the people she serves shines through, making her an invaluable asset to the team.
The Home Care Worker
Winner – Endurance Onichabor, Involve
Endurance’s dedication to her role is truly inspiring. She consistently strives to make a positive impact. Her focus on empowering those she supports reflects her commitment to being a catalyst for meaningful change in their lives. Congratulations, Endurance, on this well-deserved recognition!
Highly Commended – Gayle Potts, Cambridge Care Company
Gayle’s compassion and care for others make her truly stand out in her role. Her passion for her work is evident, and the pride she takes in supporting others shines through.
The Care Home Newcomer
Winner – Victoria Bye, Connaught Care
Victoria is a refreshing individual who gives fantastic oversight on what care is all about. Not only does she look after residents within the homes, but she also pays special attention to the families and loved ones who visit, which was truly touching. Congratulations!
Highly Commended – Aleksander Zivkovic, Stow Healthcare
It was a pleasure to meet someone who made such a life-changing career decision and talked about their day-to-day role with such genuine passion. Aleksander shared how each action is a tribute to his late mother, driving the standards he sets every day. It was truly a touching story.
The Home Care Newcomer
Winner – Sheryl Todd, Bluebird Care Colchester
Sheryl, a lovely mum of five children, worked privately as a domestic cleaner. Many of her clients were elderly, so during Covid, she did everything she could to help them. Unfortunately, elderly folks are not with us indefinitely, so Sheryl started thinking about finding a job role that focused on looking after people. She now works for Bluebird Care in the Colchester area and is busy completing her NVQ Level 2, thrilled to have found something she is so passionate about. Well done, Sheryl! People like you are what caring is all about. You are a role model to us all, showing that we keep learning throughout life, and what better way to use that knowledge than to help others.
Highly Commended – Zoe Darnell, Atlas RCH
Zoe came into care straight from college and has truly found her niche. She shows strong qualities in dealing with emergency situations and has a huge amount of passion and plans for her future in the care environment.
The Care Home Registered Manager
Winner – Denise O’Brien, RMBI Care
Denise exemplifies what it means to be a strong, compassionate, and kind care home manager. Denise spoke passionately about her care homes and the importance of respect for the people receiving support. Elderly residents are given a new lease of life within Denise’s care homes, which has been recognized through two outstanding ratings by CQC. Denise is an incredible example of what leadership in the care sector should be.
Highly Commended – Laura Ward, Redlands
Laura Ward’s outward-thinking approach is truly inspiring, as she empowers other care providers to develop and maintain exceptional standards. Her warm and compassionate nature brings joy and positivity to those around her. Laura’s leadership ensures that her staff feel fully supported and thrive under her guidance, always striving to meet the highest standards of care. She is a shining example of leadership in the care sector.
The Home Care Registered Manager
Winner – Naomi Parker, Home Instead East (Netcare Norfolk Ltd)
Naomi is incredibly passionate about her work, actively embracing feedback and collaborating with professionals to address safeguarding issues. She provides compassionate end-of-life care and takes great pride in honoring individuals’ final wishes with dignity, ensuring they can remain at home if that is their desire. She is deeply proud of her team and the unwavering support they provide. Driven and dedicated, she never accepts “no” if an individual needs more to live life to the fullest.
Highly Commended – Angel Clark, 1 Oak Home Care
Angel is very passionate about her job, having helped start the company in 2016. She spoke about reflecting on the people they have helped over the years and the positive impact they have made on their lives.
The Dignity in Care
Winner – Chloe Thomas, Bluebird Care Colchester and Tendring
Chloe is everything a care worker should be – compassionate, skilled, and happy to go the extra mile for others. I was delighted to hear about the support she offered her clients, such as spending hours learning to make a cheesecake for a service user with eating difficulties to have on his last birthday. She is highly deserving of this recognition!
Highly Commended – Halstead Hall Team, Stow Healthcare
Any person would be exceptionally lucky to receive care from the Halstead Hall Team! They exemplify dignified care and work as a team to offer an outstanding service to their residents, built on trust and respect. The team should be incredibly proud of their work – they really are going the extra mile.
The Dementia Carer
Winner – Nathan Burton, Quantum Care
Nathan has worked for the company for 28 years, starting as a schoolwork experience student and showing remarkable commitment to growth and improvement ever since. During the interview, he demonstrated a deep understanding of dementia and the needs of those he cares for. He described the initiatives he has implemented that have made a positive difference for residents, helping to reduce isolation and prevent falls. He has also shared these practices with other homes in the group, ensuring all residents can benefit. He is truly an inspiration.
Highly Commended – Jessica Riches, Castlemeadow Care
Jessica demonstrated a strong understanding of dementia and its impact, not only on the individual but also on their loved ones. Since joining Castlemeadow, she has set up a dementia café to reduce isolation for residents and their partners and introduced scrapbooks to help bring back cherished memories for those in her care. Her passion for her role is evident, and she should be very proud of the difference she makes.
Care Home Activity Organiser
Winner – Tara Brisley, PJ Care
Tara has evidenced fantastic engagement with activities within the setting but has gone further by demonstrating co-production of events. For example, she helped raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease by aiding a resident in creating a slideshow sharing his experience of living with the condition to share with the home and across PJ Care! Truly inspiring!
Highly Commended – Emma Kiss, Outlook Care
Emma’s passion and understanding shine through her words. She has a real understanding of the importance of engagement with activities on health and wellbeing, evidenced through the success of the choir within the home and the community, as well as the feedback from the dementia focus group. Outstanding work!
Ancillary Worker Award
Winner- Rachael Neale, TLC Care
Racheal, with her team behind her, shows what can be achieved when barriers are broken down. Her ability to merge the role of housekeeping with that of a pragmatic but supportive friend is a lesson for us all. Well done, Racheal
Highly commended- Gracie Taylor, Bluebird Care Braintree and Uttlesford
Gracie brings a level of enthusiasm, care, and purpose to her job, her colleagues, and the people she works with. Mindful of the impact she has on customers from start to finish, her dedication is a credit to the shared values and principles.
Home Care Coordinator Award
Winner – Amy Hudson, Cavell Healthcare
A focused and dedicated leader, she has motivated her team to achieve remarkable results and enhance the quality of care provided. Continuously striving for excellence, she embodies the qualities of an exceptional coordinator.
Highly Commended – Karolina Hryszko, Haverhill Community Care
This recognition reflects your dedication and the positive impact you have on both your team and those in your care. Your commitment to providing high-quality support makes a difference every day.
The Care Home Chef Award
Winner – Paulino Chitcheu, Connaught Care
Wow! This man made a profound impression, leaving me truly inspired. His passion for delivering exceptional culinary experiences is unmistakable, and the attention to detail he brings to each meal is remarkable. His wealth of knowledge and innovative ideas are evident in every aspect of his work. Moreover, his praise for his team and company was sincere and well-deserved. I hope they fully recognize how fortunate they are to have him.
Highly Commended – The Chase Care Home Catering Team, Connaught Care
An exceptional individual, she demonstrates remarkable passion and dedication in everything she does. Her expertise, kindness, and thoughtfulness as a chef are truly inspiring, making one feel welcomed both in her home and on her team. Her extensive knowledge and genuine care for others set her apart, and she undoubtedly deserves the highest recognition.
The Care Home Team Award
Winner – Dorrington House Team, Dorrington House
If I were to go to a care home, I would want it to be this one. Yes, they are professional, and yes, the care is undoubtedly amazing, but more than all of that, this team radiated empathy, kindness, and fun. It sounds like a great place to live or work.
Highly Commended – Stow Healthcare Group
A very progressive company and employees, forward-thinking with an out-of-the-box approach!
The Home Care Team Award
Winner – Netcare East Anglia, Home Instead West, Mid, North Norfolk, and Cambridge
The team is incredibly inspiring and passionate about the work they provide in the community. Motivated by their core values, it was evident that their drive for high-quality care standards influences the daily operations across the business. Each member brings a wealth of talent and personal experience, collaborating to create an outstanding service for both clients and colleagues – one they should exceptionally be proud of!
Highly Commended – Mental Health Team, Bluebird Care Colchester and Tendring
The work of the Mental Health Team is incredibly inspiring. Nicola has built a team that epitomizes exceptional caregiving. She and the team are highly deserving of this award, as well as sector-wide recognition for the fantastic support system they have developed for one another and their service users!
The Care Innovator Award
Winner – Stow Healthcare Group
“Ruth’s dedication to this project is truly inspiring. The company has made significant contributions within the sector, and this initiative exemplifies its commitment to impactful work. The simplicity of the project, combined with its effectiveness, makes it stand out. Ruth’s passion is both evident and contagious, motivating others to become involved. I am excited to share this initiative further. The moment Ruth mentioned decaf, I was fully on board.”
Highly Commended – Anne Riches, Saturn Healthcare
Anne was absolutely wonderful and truly inspiring. She has restored my confidence in the care sector with her innovative and forward-thinking approach. The plans she has outlined are ambitious and unconventional, yet critical to driving meaningful change. Congratulations to Anne for her dedication and leadership.
The Frontline Leader Award
Winner – Laura Howlett, Care is Central
An inspirational front-line leader, passionate about her role and delivering strong outcomes for her staff team and residents. Nominated by her own team, who she empowers to achieve their full potential and demonstrate excellence in the care they provide. Incredible positivity and a role model for her team.
Highly Commended 1 – Lucy Ward, Redlands House
A strong and focused individual who has inspired her team to transform a service, delivering outstanding results. Her dedication and energy are an example to her team and have been instrumental in winning their buy-in to the journey. Always striving for the best.
Highly Commended 2 – Dominika Ozas, Regal Care Trading
Dominika is an inspirational leader in care. She constantly innovates to improve the lives of her residents and colleagues but does so in an inclusive and approachable way— a shining star of the care industry.
The Care Assessor Award
Winner – Adam Wooley, Bluebird Care Colchester
Showing an incredible amount of compassion combined with meticulous attention to detail, if I had to place a loved one into care and Adam were the assessor who came to visit, I would feel completely comfortable and relieved, knowing my loved one was in safe hands.
Highly Commended – Sarah Baigent, Home Instead Milton Keynes
Clearly extremely passionate about ensuring the right levels of care are met and exceeded for all of their clients. There is a clear passion to improve individuals’ lives and support them in any way, shape, or form. It is fantastic to see individuals out there with this type of commitment to their clients.
The 3RS Award
Winner – Home Instead Milton Keynes
Very impressed with Rachel and Dana; their passion and care shine through. I almost lost count of how many ideas and support strategies they have implemented. It was fantastic to hear. The one that stood out the most is the wellbeing check-ins throughout, the care and time that go into these, and the positive feedback they’ve received. Keep up the great work and continue making a wonderful difference.
Highly Commended – Focus Care Recruitment Team, Focus Care Supported Living
Focus Care Supported Living is clearly a great team with wonderful ideas and ideas in the making. They continue to develop the teams and bring them together. The passion shone through in the interview, and overall, I was very impressed. Keep up the great work and continue making a wonderful difference.
The Workforce Development Award
Winner – Athena Care Homes
Values-based recruitment and development are central to this approach. New recruits complete an induction that includes an online journal, allowing them to document “theory to practice” with personal reflections. These reflections inform either a performance improvement plan or a development plan, supporting retention and succession planning. This program is also available to existing staff, with a strong emphasis on growing internal teams.
A values-driven “McDonald’s star” idea has been introduced: each time a colleague demonstrates a core value in their work, they earn a pin, symbolizing an “above and beyond” effort, and become a FAB (For a Better) member. This initiative not only encourages learning and embodying company values but also recognizes exceptional practice.
The induction program includes regional training, such as dementia care, to help new recruits connect with regional teams and specialists. This is followed by home-based induction with in-house trainers, making training more personalized and less classroom-based. There is clear passion and enthusiasm for building a strong, empowered social care workforce that is celebrated as professional. The philosophy here is: don’t treat everyone the same—treat them uniquely to achieve true inclusion.
Highly Commended – Badgers Wood Care Home
It was great to meet an amazing group of champions who are so proud of the work they are doing to make a difference in the lives of both staff and the individuals they support. This team of champions is empowered to discuss their roles and demonstrate the impact they have. For example, a kitchen assistant serves as a hydration champion, a maintenance worker has established a men’s group similar to “Men in Sheds,” and a lady whose husband used to be in the home now offers hearing aid checks to residents as well as free services to the local community. The staff felt engaged in the process, and it was evident how well the team communicates with one another.
Putting People First Award
Winner – Chioma Laszcewska, Elm Lodge Care Home
Leading by example, Chioma puts learning into practice. Using her academic learning and training as a foundation, she “stops” to ask and listens to what people want, building a model of care that allows residents to drive forward their own choices and decision-making regarding their care.
Highly Commended – Whole Team, Dereham Meeting Point
The breadth of the work undertaken by such a small but dedicated team of paid and volunteer workers is paralleled only by the size of the whole community it serves and strives to serve. This service provides more than a meeting place for the people it puts at the center of a service built around them.
Palliative Care Award
Winner – Debbie Day, Cedars Care Home
Debbie has developed a family book to support families during end-of-life care and encourages residents to write letters to loved ones after they pass. She often comes in on her days off to provide comfort, reading personalized stories with accompanying sounds to evoke memories. Referring to herself as a “Soul Midwife,” Debbie offers compassionate care in their final moments.
Highly Commended – Avocet Court, Athena Care Homes
Avocet Court provides compassionate end-of-life care, ensuring each resident’s final wish is fulfilled, whether it’s a tractor ride or a glass of wine with a loved one. Their memory garden allows loved ones to write and post letters to those who have passed. This caring home is deeply committed to offering dignity, love, and a peaceful passing for all.
The Social Care Nurse Award
Winner – Stephanie Bursill, PJ Care
Stephanie is a real standout person I spoke to. She was a pleasure to hear from, with empathy and kindness, but also a sound vision for future care and how it should be. A true asset to her service and the wider profession—a future star.
Highly Commended – Natashia Holmes, Elm Lodge Care Home
Natashia is enthusiastic and very clearly dedicated to her profession, always thinking ahead about how she can learn and share this for the greater good of patients and staff. A committed learner and supporter of best practices.
The Housing with Care Award
Winner – Woodgate Park Care Team, Castlemeadow Care
The Woodgate Park care team is worthy of winning the Housing Care Award for their exceptional dedication to providing high-quality, person-centered care in a safe, vibrant community atmosphere. Their commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life through compassionate care, innovative practices, and strong community engagement sets them apart as outstanding care providers.
Highly Commended – Lapwing Apartments, Cross Keys Care
It was a pleasure to hear about your accomplishments at Lapwing Apartments. Your commitment to delivering high-quality care is evident, and it is truly inspiring to see your passion in action.
The Co-production Award
Winner – Stow Healthcare Group
Stow Healthcare Group Ltd. achieved a significant outcome in terms of falls reduction and effectively involved elderly residents in decision-making.
The Unpaid Carer Award
Winner – Linda Clarke, Saturn Healthcare Ltd
Linda is an exceptional carer, and her voluntary work is truly inspirational. She has every reason to be proud of herself for the significant impact she makes in the lives of others.
Highly Commended – Margaret Davis, Dereham Meeting Point
This commendation is a testament to the positive impact you’ve had in the lives of those you support. Take pride in your hard work and generosity.
The Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
Winner – Jane Byford, My Life Choice Ltd
This recognition is a testament to your hard work, compassion, and the profound impact you have made in the community. Thank you for being a beacon of hope and for your exemplary service in social care.
Highly Commended 1 – Emily Aklan, Serenity Welfare
Emily at Serenity Welfare clearly demonstrates her passion for ensuring that residents receive the highest quality of care. Her outstanding contributions to the sector make her a truly deserving recipient of this recognition.
Highly Commended 2 – Melvyn Plum, Bluebird Care Colchester and Tendring
Your dedication at Bluebird Care Colchester demonstrates an exceptional commitment to enhancing the lives of those you serve. A company to be proud of, Melvyn has every reason to take pride in the significant impact he and his team are making every day.
