Laima is highly commended for her exceptional ability to bring joy, warmth, and genuine connection to the young people we support. Her playful approach, constant laughter, and thoughtful engagement create a safe, uplifting environment where young people feel valued and at ease. Laima consistently goes above and beyond-meaningful activities, offering kindness, and using her emotional insight to build trust. Her infectious positivity also strengthens team morale, making her a cherished colleague. Laima’s daily impact, dedication, and the happiness she inspires make her truly outstanding and deeply deserving of this recognition.
The Exceptional Employer Award
Highly Commended:
Dolphin Homes
Dolphin Homes is highly commended for its long-standing commitment to exceptional, person-centred care and continuous improvement. For over 20 years, they have supported people with complex needs through skilled, well-trained staff and innovative practices such as RESTORE2 and Trauma Informed Care. Their strong community focus, inclusive forums for individuals, families and employees, and dedication to professional development create an empowering environment that enhances quality of life and makes them an outstanding employer and care provider.
Winner:
Active Prospects
Active Prospects won because of their exceptional impact on people with learning disabilities and autistic people, enabling over 50 individuals with complex needs to move from long-stay hospitals to independent living with a 96% success rate. Their growth, award-winning workforce development, and outstanding employee experience-reflected in top Great Places to Work rankings-demonstrate a highly supportive culture. Their commitment to inclusion, community contribution, lived-experience training, and celebrating their diverse workforce showcases a truly high-performing, people-centred organisation.
The Superstar Support Worker (Midlands)
Sponsored by Bmindful Physiology
Highly Commended:
Charlotte Ashby, Born to Perform
Charlotte is an inspiring young woman whose enthusiasm, passion, and genuine care give Born to Perform’s service users confidence and self-belief. She brings positivity, encouragement, and energy to every dance routine, ensuring everyone feels valued and included. Her dedication to helping service users reach their full potential and enjoy life shines through in her coaching and support. Charlotte’s commitment, joy, and passion make her a role model and an inspiration to all at Born to Perform.
Winner:
Anthonia Wellman Kopeczi, Ansar Projects
Anthonia exemplifies truly person-centred care, prioritising the needs and aspirations of those she supports with compassion, respect, and dedication. She enriches lives, fosters independence, and empowers individuals with learning disabilities and autism, creating a sense of dignity and belonging. Her exceptional approach inspires colleagues to adopt her ethos, building a strong, supportive team. Through her unwavering commitment, Anthonia has made a profound positive impact on both service users and staff, helping individuals navigate challenges and thrive.
The Superstar Support Worker (North)
Highly Commended:
Sharon Ridgway, We Support
Sharon Ridgway is recognised for her exceptional dedication, reliability, and person-centred approach. She consistently goes beyond her core duties, covering shifts across services while ensuring continuity, stability, and high-quality care. Sharon creates meaningful, engaging experiences for individuals, fostering confidence, involvement, and a sense of community. Her compassion, creativity, and professionalism positively impact both service users and colleagues, making her a trusted, valued, and inspiring member of the team who truly embodies the principles of outstanding care.
Winner:
Elsie Culbert, CareTech
Elise wins this award for her positivity, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to person-centred care. She brings joy, compassion, and empowerment to those she supports, advocating for their rights and choices while fostering independence. Elise builds meaningful relationships, adapts effortlessly to any situation, and inspires colleagues with her energy and professionalism. Her impact on individuals and the wider team exemplifies outstanding, compassionate support, making her truly deserving of this recognition.
The Superstar Support Worker (South)
Highly Commended:
Liam Spiller, Cartrefi Cymru
Liam Spiller is highly commended for being an outstanding support worker who provides truly person-centred care, ensuring individuals feel valued, empowered, and supported in their daily lives. He goes above and beyond to help people gain independence and achieve their goals, showing respect and dignity at all times. Liam demonstrates compassion, adaptability, and commitment, supporting individuals to try new activities, hobbies, and experiences—from Zumba and cooking to running the Cardiff Half Marathon and trips to UK theme parks—helping them follow thei
Winner:
Andrea Meade, Pluss
Andrea is the winner because she is the heart and soul of the neurodivergent employment service, a true superstar whose warmth, compassion, and belief in others change lives every single day. Her support goes beyond employment, focusing on empowerment, confidence, and belonging. Andrea’s deeply person-centred approach helps people rediscover self-worth, overcome barriers, and achieve sustainable employment. Her dedication, kindness, and positivity lift people up, restore confidence, and enable them to see their full potential, going above and beyond in person-centred care.
The Visionary Leadership Award
Highly Commended:
Joanne Howell, Northam Care Trust
Jo is recognised for her exceptional 42-year career in adult social care, spanning roles from care worker and social worker to CEO, regulator, and innovator. Her extensive experience across sectors equips her to advocate effectively for both the people supported and her staff. Jo has driven transformative improvements, championed inclusion, and ensured services focus on dignity, empowerment, and opportunity. Through visionary leadership, she has turned failing services around, fostered a culture of learning and compassion, and continues to enhance lives, including fundraising for a hydrotherapy pool.
Winner:
John Keighley-Bray, Zeno Ltd
John shows exceptional leadership and dedication as Service Manager of the Osborne Team. Rising from Support Worker, he delivers outstanding training in Positive Behaviour Support, Autism, the Mental Capacity Act, and DoLS, creating high-quality materials and induction slides. His meticulous audits, keyworker reports, and supervisions maintain high operational standards. John’s hands-on approach, approachable management style, and mentorship help new staff thrive, fostering a motivated, capable team. Praised by colleagues, families, and attendees, his commitment to continuous improvement, staff development, and quality care ensures exceptional outcomes for both his team and the individuals he supports.
The Head of People Award
Highly Commended:
Clare Marsh, Unity Lives
Clare Marsh is recognised for transforming Unity Lives Ltd since joining as Head of People, embedding practices that prioritise staff wellbeing, engagement, and excellence in care. She has strengthened compliance and safe recruitment processes, introduced clear policies and practical tools, and fostered a positive, inclusive workplace culture. Through initiatives like the Good Vibes Gazette, workshops, coffee mornings, and team events, Clare has boosted morale and engagement, achieving 100% staff satisfaction. Her integrity, empathy, and leadership make Unity Lives a supportive, thriving workplace.
Winner:
Louise Lawrence, Idem Living
Lou is recognised for her exceptional professionalism, leadership, and dedication to staff wellbeing. She has led challenging investigations with integrity, always advocating for teams while maintaining professionalism. Lou has developed the employee assistance programme from scratch, created systems to ensure a safe and positive workplace, and introduced numerous staff benefits. As a key member of the senior leadership team, she has led the training plan and career pathway, ensuring the Idem Academy offers development opportunities and meaningful career progression for all employees.
The Autism Specialist Award
Highly Commended:
Jennifer Neville, Future Directions CIC
Jenny Neville is highly commended for her outstanding expertise and dedication as Autism Lead at Future Directions CIC. With over 20 years’ experience, she translates theory into practice, leading Tier 1 and Tier 2 Learning Disability & Autism training co-produced with people supported with Autism. She has developed specialist localised training, a VR project to simulate autistic experiences, and an autism newsletter with practical resources. Jenny provides guidance on sensory assessments, communication plans, and reasonable adjustments, co-producing tools with autistic people. She also advocates for systemic change, contributing to the Greater Manchester Autism Strategy and the House of Lords review of the Autism Act 2009.
Winner:
Mr Mark D Briggs, The Edmund Trust
Mark Briggs is winner for his exceptional expertise and commitment as an Autism Specialist. With over 30 years’ experience, he has led the implementation of Oliver McGowan training across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, training 100 NHS staff weekly. Mark tailors support plans to individuals’ strengths, preferences, and communication styles, developing environmental adaptations that reduce anxiety and increase autonomy. He overcomes systemic barriers creatively-securing venues, coordinating programs, and championing reasonable adjustments. His leadership, empathy, and advocacy amplify lived experience voices, ensuring autistic individuals not only receive support but truly thrive.
The Brilliant Learning Disability Nurse Award
Highly Commended:
Roisin O’Brien, Cygnet
Roisin is the winner for her extraordinary dedication and lasting impact at Elms, having worked there since its earliest days, even before it became a Cygnet property. As a senior LD nurse, she mentors student nurses across all disciplines, supports patients with patience, dignity, and care, and balances practical duties with essential administrative work. Known for her warmth, humour, and understanding, Roisin fosters strong relationships with patients and colleagues alike. Her guidance, legacy, and unwavering commitment make her the heart of Elms and a true legend.
Winner:
Ryan Allen, Catherine Tam House (Landermeads)
Ryan is the winner for his contribution as a nurse and advocate for social care nursing. Since qualifying, he has been invited by Skills for Care to speak in London on valuing social care placements, presented at the Student Wellbeing Conference at NTU, and attended the Social Care Learning Disabilities Nursing Roundtable, invited by Deborah Sturdy, to address challenges and opportunities in the field. He is committed to embracing the workforce strategy, promoting social care as a vibrant option, and inspiring confidence, critical thinking, and passion in nursing.
The Trailblazing Trainer Award
Highly Commended:
Megan Everson, Bemix
Meg is recognised for her outstanding dedication, positive attitude, and flexibility in stepping in whenever needed. An expert by experience, she delivers high-quality training to NHS and social care staff and recently partnered with Canterbury Christ Church University to train students on the challenges people with learning disabilities face when accessing health services-an important example of co-production in action. Her expertise, enthusiasm, and ability to inspire and educate make her a truly deserving award winner.
Winner:
Callan Durant, Reflex Trainers
Callan is the winner for transforming Learning Disability and Autism training across Norfolk and Suffolk with his energy, expertise, and lived experience as an autistic person. Delivering sessions daily to NHS, social care, education, and social work staff, he connects with delegates, inspires reflection, and promotes meaningful change. Praised for his knowledge, empathy, and inclusivity, Callan consistently elevates training standards, equips attendees with new skills, and fosters passion for improvement, making him a standout trainer deserving of national recognition.
The Lived Experience Champion Award
Highly Commended:
Becs Tridgell, Autism Unlimited
Becs is highly commended for her impactful work as Training Inclusion Specialist, using her lived experience as an autistic person to educate and inspire. She delivers tailored training to businesses, professionals, and parents, raising awareness of neurodiversity and sharing practical, real-life examples. Her sessions challenge stigma, amplify autistic voices, and promote meaningful adjustments, helping organisations create inclusive environments. Feedback highlights her relatability, authenticity, and profound insight, with participants describing her workshops as inspiring, eye-opening, and deeply impactful.
Winner:
John Phillips MBE, Mencap
John Phillips MBE is the winner for his outstanding advocacy and leadership in supporting people with learning disabilities. He engages effectively with Mencap Trustees, Executive Team members, and support workers, providing valuable insights into policy and the needs of those he supports. As a proud owner of multiple homes on the Isle of Wight, he runs activities, holidays, and experiences for residents, championing their rights in the community. His patience, calmness, and collaborative approach have a profound impact on both individuals and the wider sector.
The Joy Maker Award
Highly Commended:
Laima Caica, Kisimul
Winner:
Kevin Phoenix and Stuart Vallantine, Future Directions CIC
Kevin and Stuart are winners for creating exceptional musical opportunities that bring people together across Future Directions. Kevin’s Fun Time Friday, now in its fifth year, kept people connected with music, dancing, and his trademark Dad Jokes, with Stuart supporting the show throughout. Together they founded the Stronger Together Community Choir, combining Kevin’s musical leadership with Stuart’s laughter yoga. Their mobile recording studio, one to one home music sessions, Totfest events and Future Directions Got Talent give people unforgettable ways to express themselves and belong.
The Voice Amplifier Award
Highly Commended:
Kelly Harris, Grahams Social Care & Education
Kelly is recognised for her fearless advocacy and her ability to challenge systems to secure the support children with SEND urgently need. She has improved outcomes across local authorities, Barnardo’s services, and independent children’s homes by redesigning safeguarding processes, driving early-help interventions, and ensuring children’s voices shape every plan. Kelly is known for stepping into complex cases others escalated, resolving them with skill and empathy. Her actions have kept children safe, empowered families, and strengthened SEND practice nationwide.
Winner:
Aiden Coxhead, Aloha Kakou Shaka Inclusive Surf Club
The Leading Frontline Leaders Award
Highly Commended:
Faye Munday, RDaSH
Faye is highly commended for consistently delivering personalised support and ensuring every person she works with feels valued and capable. She stands out for supporting colleagues as much as the people she cares for, often rearranging her own time to deliver training sessions outside normal hours so night-shift staff aren’t excluded. Her practical guidance, calm reassurance, and advocacy directly improve daily outcomes. Faye’s flexibility, teamwork, and commitment to strengthening independence make her an essential, trusted presence across the service.
Winner:
Racheal Billington, Alternative Futures Group
Racheal is a winner because her actions consistently change lives in tangible, deeply meaningful ways. She made it possible for a service user-non-mobile and PEG-fed-to reunite with her frail mother and see her brother after 30 years by personally coordinating health teams, sourcing an accessible property, and planning every detail of the journey. She secured a new flat and personalised support for another service user, leading to newfound independence and confidence. Racheal also supports her staff with exceptional care, advocacy, and integrity, always stepping in when it matters most.
The The Bright Beginning (New to Care) Award
Highly Commended:
Stacey Howlett, PossAbilities
Stacey is recognised for her remarkable growth, commitment, and natural talent for support work. Despite being extremely shy, she volunteered every week for eight months, even taking on extra days during college holidays. She built strong, trusting relationships, especially with Jason, whose anxiety has noticeably reduced thanks to her calming presence and playful rapport. Stacey excels across multiple day service bases, takes on additional shifts, and brings a genuine can do attitude that lifts the whole service.
Winner:
Lucy Nuttall, Unity Lives
Lucy wins this award for the clear, measurable impact she has made in an incredibly short time. She was singled out in a recent satisfaction audit for the value she adds, consistently organising meaningful community outings and encouraging people to try new experiences. Her meticulous notes – including detailed safeguarding information such as clothing descriptions – show exceptional responsibility. Alongside this, she independently began a Health and Social Care degree and earned her driving licence to expand opportunities for those she supports.
The Amazing Manager Award (Midlands)
Sponsored by Grahams Consultants
Highly Commended:
Tracy Patton – Home not Hospital
Tracy is an exceptional manager who has truly gone from strength to strength. Her leadership, dedication, and genuine passion for her role have transformed not only her team but also the lives of the individuals they support. Tracy invests time in helping each team member grow, ensuring they understand their roles and feel valued for their contributions. As a result, the team works in harmony, and the individual they support is now thriving.
Winner:
Charlotte Latham – Compass Children’s Homes
Charlotte is clearly child-centred & an inspirational registered manager, and her young people are at the centre of all she does. Charlotte believes that every child and every staff member deserves to feel secure, respected, and empowered. This really shines in that her team members feel valued, supported, and proud to be part of something meaningful.
The Amazing Manager Award (North)
Sponsored by Grahams Consultants
Highly Commended:
Kimberley Douglas – Milewood Healthcare
Kimberley’s approach is rooted in care and compassion. She has a natural ability to connect with people, and her kindness is felt by everyone around her. Kimberley has worked tirelessly to raise standards, boost morale, and create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. Her leadership style combines professionalism with warmth, ensuring that the focus always remains on delivering the best care possible
Winner:
Gareth Tarpey – Idem Living
Gareth is a dedicated manager who never wavers in his expectations he has for the young people in his care. His approach is person-centred, and he will always look beyond obstacles, looking at ways to overcome the risk instead of viewing them as a barrier.
The Amazing Manager Award (South)
Sponsored by Grahams Consultants
Highly Commended:
Victoria Bailey – Orbis Education and Care
Victoria’s leadership is rooted in compassion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in care & leads with heart and vision. Victoria’s ability to inspire and uplift her team. She fosters a culture of respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Victoria embraces innovation, encourages training and development, and is always looking for ways to enhance the lives of residents. Whether it’s introducing new activities, improving care plans, or advocating for better resources, she is relentless in her pursuit of excellence.
Winner:
Marc Sherlock – M&D Care
Marc has built a strong, cohesive team that shares his passion for delivering high-quality care. Through his mentorship, he has cultivated a culture of trust, respect, and shared purpose. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that the people we support are not only safe and cared for but also engaged in meaningful, person-specific activities that enrich their lives.
The Above & Beyond Team Award (Midlands)
Highly Commended:
West Street Team, Choices
The West Street Team are recognised for repeatedly going above and beyond during periods of uncertainty, never allowing challenges to affect the quality of care they deliver. They work collaboratively to problem-solve, maintain exceptional person-centred support, and consistently achieve positive outcomes for the people who live at the service. Their reliability, shared accountability, and respectful teamwork create a supportive culture where everyone thrives. Their resilience, professionalism, and unwavering commitment make them an outstanding example of a team dedicated to truly making a difference.
Winner:
Rowan House, Milewood
Rowan House staff are winners for their extraordinary dedication in supporting a non-verbal individual diagnosed with terminal cancer. Over three months, they advocated for him through hospital stays, including intensive care, ensuring every need was met. Back home, the team creates meaningful, joyful experiences-from motorbike visits to dressing him as a pirate-maximising his quality of life. Their consistent compassion, creativity, and unwavering commitment during extremely challenging times have ensured he is safe, loved, and able to enjoy each day fully.
The Above & Beyond Team Award (North)
Highly Commended:
Rowan Team, MY3
The Rowan team is highly commended for their creativity, dedication, and consistent Outstanding Ofsted ratings. They personalise support for each young person, from sourcing rare Thomas the Tank Engine books to creating sensory baths, giant chalk body maps, and poems about appropriate touch. Their innovative activities like Tasting Tuesdays and cultural celebrations make learning fun and inclusive. Through their passion, care, and creativity, they enable young people to thrive, build confidence, and achieve positive transitions into adulthood.
Winner:
Comer Wall Way, Bright Futures
Comer Wall Way team wins for their consistent, compassionate, and innovative support of individuals with complex needs. They enabled one person to rebuild positive family relationships, another to gain meaningful warehouse employment, and provided sensitive bereavement support with dignity and empathy. Their creative problem-solving, unity, and dedication have transformed the home into a stable, empowering environment. By balancing safety with choice, fostering independence, and promoting social connections, they exemplify values-led, impactful care that allows people to truly thrive.
The Above & Beyond Team Award (South)
Highly Commended:
Ty Richards, M&D Care
Ty Richards team is recognised for transforming the lives of two adults with learning disabilities, autism, and complex behaviours through bespoke Positive Behaviour Support planning and close collaboration with families and multidisciplinary teams. Their careful risk assessments enabled both individuals to safely re-engage with their community and enjoy their first holidays away from home, while families stayed connected via daily updates. This planning also allowed home renovations, enhancing independence and quality of life. Their creativity, dedication, and empowerment of those they support make them truly deserving of this award.
Winner:
Rebecca Dungar & Team, Norfolk County Council
The Supported Living Residential Team (SLRT) is recognised for expertly managing 30 home closures, supporting over 150 individuals in Norfolk to transition to Housing with Care, Supported Living, Enablement Schemes, or their own homes with floating support. Using Makaton, PECs, and personalised communication, they ensured individuals understood changes and felt supported. SLRT promoted independence, facilitated family connections, and improved quality of life, including enabling one resident to wake and make tea independently. Their resilience, practical planning, and dedication make them truly deserving winners.
The Dazzling Director Award
Highly Commended:
Chris Platt, Cedar Health & Wellbeing
Chris Platt is highly commended for founding Cedar Health and Wellbeing and developing six residential and supported living services across Lancashire, enabling 45 adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism to live independently, many moving from hospital or avoiding admission. His values-based recruitment has created over 300 jobs, including opportunities for ex-army personnel. Chris ensures every home meets his exacting standards for safety, inclusion, and empowerment, transforming lives while earning respect from families, commissioners, and colleagues alike.
Winner:
Ben Caufield-Lawrence, Cygnet
Ben is the winner for his transformative leadership as a director in learning disability and autism support. He has introduced innovative care models that enhance independence, dignity, and personal choice, while championing co-production to ensure those supported shape their own care. Ben has expanded services, achieved top regulatory ratings, and fostered an inclusive, empowering workplace with high staff engagement and low turnover. His strategic vision, mentorship, and measurable improvements in outcomes make him an inspirational leader.
The Building Brilliance in Teams Awards
Highly Commended:
Stacey Locks, Dedicated Care East Anglia
Stacey is recognised for her outstanding leadership and dedication at Dedicated Care. She guides staff to achieve personal and career goals through tailored development plans, mentors future managers, and embeds company values across her teams. Stacey balances business needs with individual care, problem-solving complex challenges, and ensuring equality for all. Always accessible, she supports both staff and people we care for with compassion and expertise, demonstrating exceptional commitment while modelling work-life balance as a parent.
Winner:
Christian Whiteley-Mason, StrongLife Care
Christian Mason is recognised for transforming Thornhill Care Home into a vibrant, welcoming environment. Under his leadership, residents enjoy diverse outings-from local pubs to pantomimes-and participate in community projects like gardening with schoolchildren and volunteering. Christian fundraises for Barnsley Hospice through daring challenges, engages residents in meaningful activities, and fosters inclusion for those with learning disabilities. His dedication, innovation, and commitment to both residents and the Darfield community make him
The Guiding Light in Community Outreach Award
Highly Commended:
Lisa Aldous and Norfolk Community Team, Thera East Anglia
Lisa, Jenni, and the Norfolk One Community Support Team are recognised for transforming the lives of socially isolated individuals. They match people with shared interests, supporting them to attend parties, cinema trips, and group activities they choose and organise. By empowering people to plan their own social experiences, build friendships, and take the lead, the team has fostered autonomy, confidence, and independence. Their innovative, compassionate approach has created vibrant social lives and lasting connections, making them truly deserving winners.
Winner:
Include ‘In’ Autism Team Outreach
The outreach team is recognised for their transformative impact on children, young people, and adults. They empower individuals to achieve goals, access education and employment, build friendships, and gain independence. By tailoring support to each person’s strengths and needs, they enable meaningful choices and inclusion. From helping someone attend their first social group to amplifying young voices, their compassion, creativity, and tireless advocacy create lasting change, making them truly deserving winners.
The Spark of Innovation Award
Highly Commended:
Nasser Mohammed, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Nasser is highly commended because he revolutionises care at St Mary’s Hospital by blending IT expertise with compassion to empower people with learning disabilities. He teaches individuals to use assistive technology, social media, and communication aids safely, ensuring their voices are heard. He creates co-produced visual guides, simplifies complex information, and designs inclusive staff training that embeds accessibility as core NHS practice. His innovations close the digital divide, strengthen confidence and independence, and reshape services. Nasser’s thoughtful leadership, creativity, and consistent action deliver meaningful change for both individuals and teams.
Winner:
Rachel Law, PossAbilities CIC
Rachel won because she has reshaped how high quality, values-driven support can be delivered by building PossAbilities from the ground up into a renowned social enterprise supporting people with complex needs, learning disabilities and autism. Over twelve years she created a resilient organisation operating across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Yorkshire, and expanded into inclusive property development. She personally knows every staff member and every person supported, embedding an asset-based philosophy and a Happiness Manifesto that guides everyday practice. Her £800 cost of living gift, focus on staff retention and the organisation’s achievement as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work 2025 demonstrate her exceptional leadership. Rachel’s authenticity, creativity and commitment have strengthened communities, elevated practice and set a new benchmark for compassionate social care.
The Co Production Champion Award
Highly Commended:
Ansar Projects ACE Team
The ACE (Ansar Champions of Excellence) Team is highly commended for their remarkable co-production and advocacy. Since 2019, they have influenced company standards, developed the ‘Know Your Body’ resources with Coppafeel and Orchid, and championed wellbeing as PeerPals during lockdown. They’ve contributed to the Green Initiative with Electricity Northwest, promoted public transport via Metrolink, and created recycling and road safety videos. Their ideas are directly shared with the Board, making them a powerful, trusted voice of the people supported.
Winner:
Charlotte Dickens, LLR Hub
Charlotte is a deserving winner for her exceptional leadership in rolling out the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. She established and leads a dedicated team of experts with lived experience, delivering Tier 1 and Tier 2 training to over 18,000 NHS staff. Charlotte creates a safe, supportive environment, mentors co-trainers like Liv Stanford, and continues to deliver sessions herself. Her hands-on guidance, compassion, and commitment to workforce development have transformed training delivery and strengthened the local healthcare system.
The Community Galaxy Award
Highly Commended:
Wythenshawe Community Housing Group Youth Team
The WCHG Youth Team is recognised for their outstanding work with the Ability Project, supporting over 850 SEND young people since 2017. They create a youth-led, inclusive space, empowering participants to plan and co-deliver activities. A notable achievement includes organising a fully funded Chester Zoo trip for 56 children and 34 adults, enhancing wellbeing and sensory awareness. The team champions diversity, co-production, and social action, giving young people a voice in shaping services and fostering confidence, life skills, and belonging.
Winner:
Lisa Boyer, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Lisa is recognised for establishing a monthly Health Care Café at the local library, improving healthcare access for people with learning disabilities. She co-chairs the café with individuals with lived experience, offering health checks-including height, weight, BMI, and blood pressure-accessible information, and signposting to services, with results shared with GP surgeries. By focusing on different monthly topics and inviting professionals, Lisa reduces anxiety, builds trust, strengthens community links, and significantly improves uptake of health checks, screenings, and vaccinations for those previously disengaged..
The Lifetime Luminary Award
Highly Commended:
Paul Lord, Future Directions CIC
Paul Lord is highly commended for over 40 years of service in social care, focusing the last decade on empowering staff through training and mentorship. As head of Future Directions’ Training and Development Team, he developed specialist courses, introduced online training, and co-produced Tier 1 and Tier 2 Autism Training with people supported on the spectrum. As Non-Verbal Communication Lead, Paul has implemented Intensive Interaction and total communication environments, providing specialist training and mentoring staff to promote social inclusion and effective communication for non-verbal individuals.
Winner:
Lyndsay Langley, Cedar Health & Wellbeing
Lyndsay is a deserving winner for her 24+ years in health and social care, dedicating over 13 years to leading adult residential and supported living services nationally. She has transformed care for adults experiencing unnecessary long hospital stays, enabling community-based support with dignity and choice. Earlier, she developed children’s residential and education services, building expertise in safeguarding, therapeutic support, and multi-disciplinary collaboration. As a registered social worker, Lyndsay has influenced restrictive practice reduction and environmental design, shaping policy and practice at Cedar Health and Wellbeing, leaving a lasting legacy of person-centred, high-quality care.