The full list of Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards 2026 finalists and winners is as follows.
Campaigning for Change Award
This Award is kindly sponsored by Markel.
- Winner: New Vision Bradford.
- Finalist: Community Integrated Care.
- Finalist: Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living.
The judges said about the winner, ‘Their ability to mobilise change, gain momentum across a diverse range of services and confront uncomfortable truths creates a wide-reaching impact that challenges stigma head on. To quote the winner, about shifting from problems to solutions, they said, “We all have a responsibility, and everyone can make a difference.”’
Collaboration (Integration) Award
This Award is kindly sponsored by Howden.
- Winner: Howarths Foundation.
- Finalist: Brighter Together.
- Finalist: Your Healthcare CIC.
The judges said about the winner, ‘This year’s shortlist was outstanding, with finalists who showed what collaboration can achieve when it’s grounded in trust, shared purpose and a real belief in people’s strengths. In the end, the judges chose the winner for its human approach – empowering and deeply rooted in place. What this organisation sets in motion helps people build stability, confidence and new possibilities in their lives.’
Community Engagement Award
This Award is kindly sponsored by Gallagher.
- Winner: Ngage NE Ltd and New Beginnings NE Ltd.
- Finalist: East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust’s Carer Experience Service.
- Finalist: Dronfield Woodhouse Community Support Hub.
The judges said about the winner, ‘The judges may not be within this winner’s community, but they all want to go and visit! This organisation engages with its community to promote diversity, inclusion and linking with new projects each year. Breaking down barriers and reducing loneliness, it is the bridge to get people talking and sharing with long lasting friendships.’
Compassion Award
- Winner: Footprints 2 Africa.
- Finalist: Care is Central – Marigold House Housekeeping Team.
- Finalist: Surrey Choices Shared Lives.
The judges said about the winner, ‘Born of lived experience and powered by compassion, our winner has consistently gone above and beyond for those they support. Their deep understanding and empathy mean they offer far more than practical assistance. They are fostering belonging, building trust and restoring dignity — ensuring that people feel seen, heard and valued.’
Creative Arts Award
- Winner: The Halpern Charitable Foundation.
- Finalist: Creative Together – Creative Support.
- Finalist: Escape Arts.
The judges said about the winner, ‘This year’s shortlist set an incredibly high standard. All the finalists champion people in their communities as creators and artists in their own right. The judges did decide eventually, and the winner is a huge part of its community and a bustling hub of events, growth and creativity. It seems not much happens in their area without them.’
Dementia Care Award
This Award is kindly sponsored by Care Choices.
- Winner: ADSS.
- Finalist: Dementia Carers Count.
- Finalist: The I Forget Service, Age UK Lincolnshire.
The judges said about the winner, ‘By recognising gaps in local support and building expertise, they ensure their service reaches those who need it most. They showed impressive examples of integration and shared learning through strong partnerships. Their passion and dedication to empower those affected by dementia was clear.’
Development and Innovation Award
This Award is kindly sponsored by Social Care People.
- Winner: Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living.
- Finalist: Amy Baker – Cartrefi Cymru Cooperative.
- Finalist: PossAbilities CIC.
The judges said about the winner, ‘Our winner is a shining example of how the adult social care rulebook can be rewritten, reshaped and reimagined when the right people are placed at the heart of the vision. Their innovative and continually evolving approach has strengthened outcomes not only for people who draw on support, but also for those working within adult social care services.’
Commenting on what the future holds for the organisation following its Award win, Mary Reed, Chief Executive Officer at Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living, said, ‘We don’t want to be the stars of the show. We want to be a catalyst for disabled people leading the way. We are working with other areas in order to set up their own pioneer networks. It won’t be us doing, we will go there with pioneers to mentor other areas, to create the conditions for change.’
End of Life Award
This Award is kindly sponsored by Everywhen.
- Winner: Creative Support – Doncaster Personalised Services.
- Finalist: DHU Healthcare CIC.
- Finalist: The Rosemary Foundation Hospice at Home.
The judges said about the winner, ‘This year’s winner demonstrated remarkable compassion and warmth, placing the people they support at the centre of everything they do. They foster a safe, open, and honest space for conversations about death, while working tirelessly to ensure that wishes and dreams are fulfilled until the very end of life.’
Leadership Award
- Winner: Jo-Anne Wilson MBE, Royal British Legion.
- Finalist: Elizabeth Smith – Creative Support.
- Finalist: Kathleen Liang – Frances Taylor Foundation (Maryville Care Home).
The judges said about the winner, ‘Passionate about social care — and about reframing it in the public space — our winner exemplifies what leadership in this sector truly looks like. They champion care as the highly skilled, values-driven profession it is, elevating both its profile and its people.’
Making a Difference Award
This Award is kindly sponsored by Markel.
- Winner: Geraint Jenkins, Cartrefi Cymru Co-operative.
- Finalist: Alison Beachim – New Outlook Housing Association.
- Finalist: Simon Holmes – Age UK York.
The judges said about the winner, ‘This year’s finalists were all exceptional leaders. The winner’s impact extends well beyond their organisation – they are deeply humble and credit their workforce and the people they support far more than themselves. As a catalyst for sector-wide change, their leadership has delivered better outcomes, lasting partnerships, stronger communities, and a culture where people always come first.’
Social Care Nursing Award
Winner: Abby Lord, Amica Care Trust.
Finalist: Lisa Wilson – First Steps Ed.
The judges said about the winner, ‘This winners’ passion and pride shines through. Using her wide range of skills and knowledge, not just to deliver a person-centred service, but also enabling and empowering others around her, she told the judges, “It doesn’t feel like work, it’s a privilege.” This person is fantastic ambassador for the future of nursing.
Technology Award
This Award is kindly sponsored by The Access Group.
- Winner: One Fylde – Tune Ability.
- Finalist: Forward Carers CIC.
- Finalist: Ngage NE Ltd.
The judges said about the winner, ‘This organisation didn’t just introduce new digital tools; it made sure each person could choose and control the technology they used. What makes this team special is how its work helps people be more empowered and included. The judges really liked how the organisation uses technology to allow people to take part in activities they might not have been able to before and do so with confidence and remarkable results.’
Commenting on what it meant to win the Award, Darran Wilson, Creative and Inclusion Lead at One Fylde, said, ‘I think it’s a lot. They very rarely get recognition for the work that they do. And obviously in radio as well, they’re sat in the studio, they’re not in public. So, you hear the voices and you hear the shows and the styles and this and the other, but I think something like this where they can actually see and feel that appreciation. I think it’s absolutely brilliant.’
A massive thank you!
CMM’s thanks go to everyone who was involved in the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards 2026, from those nominated to the judges, supporters and sponsors. In particular, the Awards’ headline sponsor, Markel, without whom the Awards would not be possible. CMM looks forward to recognising more inspiring work in the voluntary and not-for-profit care and support sector with the 2027 event, details of which will be announced soon.
Follow @3rdsectorcare and use #3rdSectorCareAwards on social media to stay up to date or visit the Awards’ website for the latest information.