In collaboration with the National Care Forum (NCF) the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards were launched in 2014 to celebrate and showcase the innovation and care excellence in the not-for-profit care and support sector.
The Awards focus on creative arts, community engagement, innovation, quality improvements, integration, technology and governance. These categories and the entry criteria have always been based on specific strategies – from Government and the sector – and have evolved over time to maintain relevance in an ever-changing landscape.
In 2026, the Awards will continue to stay true to their roots by focusing on the people and the efforts behind the finalists and winners. The daytime ceremony creates the perfect atmosphere for knowledge-sharing, while inspiring entertainment and charismatic hosting ensures everyone has a fantastic time celebrating the achievements of the sector.
The 12th annual Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards ceremony will take place on Friday 17th April 2026. The following finalists progressed to an online judging day to determine the winner in each category, which took place on Friday 6th February 2026.
Dame Esther Rantzen Campaigning for Change Award
This Award celebrates a person or an organisation of any size that is campaigning to raise awareness. This could be for something that needs to be changed or promoting a topic to gain more public interest or funding. The nominee should show how they are spreading their message and the outcomes they are hoping for.
The finalists are:
- Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living.
- New Vision Bradford.
- Community Integrated Care.
Collaboration (Integration) Award
This Award recognises ways of working in partnership with other organisations or services, achieving outcomes that would otherwise not have been achieved.
The finalists are:
- Brighter Together.
- Howarths Foundation.
- Your Healthcare CIC.
Community Engagement Award
This Award celebrates organisations that are working with businesses and communities to develop relationships. Nominees should show how these links support people to contribute to – and be a part of – their community, irrespective of disability or needs.
The finalists are:
- Dronfield Woodhouse Community Support Hub.
- East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust’s Carer Experience Service.
- Ngage NE Ltd and New Beginnings NE Ltd.
Compassion Award
This Award celebrates a team or individual that consistently demonstrates compassion to those they support, going above and beyond the responsibilities of their role to ensure people feel safe, respected and dignified.
The finalists are:
- Footprints 2 Africa.
- Surrey Choices Shared Lives.
- Care is Central – Marigold House Housekeeping Team.
Creative Arts Award
This Award is for those who are using the arts to engage with vulnerable people. Nominations should demonstrate the positive impact the arts have had on people’s quality of life.
The finalists are:
- The Halpern Charitable Foundation.
- Creative Together – Creative Support.
- Escape Arts.
Dementia Care Award
This Award celebrates anyone improving the lives of people and families of those living with dementia – whether they have just been diagnosed or are coming to the end of their life. Nominees should demonstrate how they have included people with dementia, their carers and communities in developing local services.
The finalists are:
- Dementia Carers Count.
- The I Forget Service, Age UK Lincolnshire.
Development and Innovation Award
This Award recognises an individual, group or organisation finding new models of care or research that make a difference to the lives of people using services. The innovation could be a small, significant change or a complete change in practice.
The finalists are:
- Amy Baker – Cartrefi Cymru Cooperative.
- Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living.
- PossAbilities CIC.
End of Life Award
This Award is for an individual or team that recognises how choices made by the person being cared for and their family are central to the service and care that is delivered. This involves reflecting fully on what is important to the person at the end of their life.
The finalists are:
- The Rosemary Foundation Hospice at Home.
- DHU Healthcare CIC.
- Creative Support – Doncaster Personalised Services.
Leadership Award
This Award celebrates a person who has a leadership role at any level. The individual will have demonstrated outstanding leadership which has positively affected quality of care and encouraged a culture that puts people and quality first.
The finalists are:
- Kathleen Liang – Frances Taylor Foundation (Maryville Care Home).
- Elizabeth Smith – Creative Support.
- Jo-Anne Wilson MBE – Royal British Legion.
Making a Difference Award
This Award is for an outstanding chief executive, board member, trustee or
non-executive director who has made significant and sustainable changes in a service. These changes will have positively influenced outcomes for people who use their services, their families and staff.
The finalists are:
- Geraint Jenkins – Cartrefi Cymru Cooperative.
- Alison Beachim – New Outlook Housing Association.
- Simon Holmes – Age UK York.
Social Care Nursing Award
This Award celebrates an exceptional registered nurse who is working in a care home, home care service or in another health and/or social care setting. The nurse can be at any level and might not be in a clinical or ‘bedside nursing’ role.
Nominees should be using their wide-ranging skills and knowledge to implement or deliver outstanding and innovative person-centred care in the voluntary and/or not-for-profit social care sector. They should demonstrate how they have provided care that places the person at the forefront of their practice.
The finalists are:
- Abby Lord – Amica Care Trust.
- Lisa Wilson – First Steps Ed.
Technology Award
This is an award for an individual, team or organisation that has used technology in an innovative and person-centred way to enhance the life of an individual or group of people; or indeed the whole service.
The finalists are:
- One Fylde – Tune Ability.
- Ngage NE Ltd.
- Forward Carers CIC.
Commenting on the announcement, Lisa Werthmann, Director at CMM, said, ‘What another fantastic cohort of deserving finalists. The not-for-profit sector is full to the brim of incredible people delivering outstanding outcomes for vulnerable people.
‘While we often see our finalists brush off their achievements as part of the “day to day”, which only adds to their brilliance, these Awards aim to thrust them into the spotlight and celebrate them with the recognition they deserve.
‘CMM issues its heartfelt thanks to everyone who nominated an organisation, service, individual or themselves for the Awards. A huge congratulations to the 2026 finalists!’
A note from the Awards’ headline sponsor
Markel UK will once again be the headline sponsor of the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards. Over the last 11 years, the Awards have grown and Markel is looking forward to a strong turnout for 2026. The entries demonstrate the diversity and capability of organisations in the not-for-profit sector, all of which do so much good.
Markel is a dedicated supporter of the care sector with 10,000+ charity and third-sector clients and the provision of specialist insurance, legal, tax and consultancy capability. This includes their specialist care consultancy, Markel Care Practitioners, which helps clients with a range of issues including risk management, inspection preparation and continuity planning.
Did you know?
The Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards has moved to one of Birmingham’s most prestigious venues for 2026, the B:Music Symphony & Town Hall. CMM cannot wait to welcome finalists on Friday 17th April 2026 for an unforgettable celebration of excellence in the care sector.
Tickets, which you can purchase individually and as half/full tables, include the Awards ceremony, a three-course meal and entertainment. Special early bird tickets are available for a limited time only. Limited sponsorship opportunities are also available for organisations seeking to showcase themselves amongst some of the sector’s leading associations, alliances and thinkers.
For the latest information and announcements, follow @3rdsectorcare on X and Facebook and visit the Awards webpage.