Sally Lindsay hosted the awards for the very first time and effortlessly intertwined humour and heartfelt emotion. She engaged with both the audience and winners, creating an unforgettable connection. Everyone in attendance was also treated to two moving performances from Our Dementia Choir. The choir beautifully opened the awards ceremony and had a profound impact on the audience with their united voices. The group put on a mashup finale which had everyone up on their feet and smiling, rounding off a perfect day.
Compassion Award
Winner: Phil the Gardener, Nightingale Hammerson.
Finalists: Keith Jenkins and compassionate partners, St Andrew’s Healthcare and HOPE Team, The Cellar Trust.
The judges said… ‘Passionate about their role and generous in sharing their knowledge, our winner has gone above and beyond simply by doing what they are great at doing – connecting with people. This person is delivering compassionate, person-centred care – but not by the book, not by reading or policy; simply because it comes naturally. Our winner doesn’t realise the impact they have and the difference they are making to those around them.’
Community Engagement Award
Winner: East Support Services Vulnerable Adults Services.
Finalists: St Margaret’s Hospice Care and New Beginnings NE Ltd and Ngage NE Ltd.
The judges said… ‘This grassroots community group use their natural gifts and community connections to establish a network of vital community meeting points embedded in the places the people they support live. Not only offering their support with mental health but joining and engaging with other community groups and services.’
Leadership Award
Winner: Donna Henderson, Birmingham Mind.
Finalists: Edwine Tembong, Outlook Care and Davina Collins, Cumbria Health.
The judges said… ‘Passionate, tenacious and strong, the winner of this award has absolutely demonstrated outstanding leadership, making a difference not only to the service and those using it, but also to their staff. Our judges were impressed by their drive and commitment and particularly, how they are viewed by their team, who said, “When people pull apart, she’s the type of person to pull us together.’
Technology Award
Winner: Health at Home, Cumbria Health.
Finalists: Bolton Cares Group and Data and Analytics Department, St Andrew’s Healthcare.
The judges said… ‘Despite a very strong field, this service stood out in relation to its proactivity – making excellent use of technology to identify and address health issues early. This has resulted in an overall improvement in efficiency of the service and the patient experience.’
Creative Arts Award
Winner: We Care Campaign/Domestic Dusters Collaboration.
Finalists: DARTS – Creative Directions Project and Ngage North East Ltd.
The judges said… ‘The winner of this award shines a light on how art can be used for campaigning in a unique way to highlight the invisible support systems relied on to keep a diverse and inclusive society going. The judges are really excited to see their continual journey growing.’
CMM spoke to Katy Styles and Vanessa Marr of the We Care Campaign/Domestic Dusters Collaboration, who commented, ‘Sometimes you can lose a sense of what you mean to other people. I think this has been a real reminder of that. I think it’s really special to bring the voices of unpaid carers into perspective, to bring them here.’
Collaboration (Integration) Award
Winner: Safe Spaces.
Finalists: Intergenerational Music Making (IMM) and Dementia Support.
The judges said… ‘The judges of this award felt the winner had truly embodied collaborative and partnership working to provide innovative ‘all age’ support. In doing so, drawing on wide ranging expertise and knowledge “for the good of the people” within a very diverse and deprived population.’
Dementia Care Award
Winner: Alzheimer’s Support Day Care Team.
Finalists: Nightingale Hammerson and Sage House, Tangmere.
The judges said… ‘The winner has expertly developed unique spaces to support those living with dementia and their families. The team work incredibly hard to make sure their members are not defined by dementia, and instead focus on each person’s individuality and character. The judges were overwhelmed by the exceptional care and support given and felt families who walked through the door of these wonderful places would feel an instant sense of relief and become part of an amazing and supportive family.’
Development and Innovation Award
Winner: The Nursery in Belong.
Finalists: Elorm Boglo and Ryan Jones, Brainkind and The Co-production of the Care Planning Process with people living with Dementia, St Andrew’s Healthcare.
The judges said… ‘The winner of this award demonstrates how people with little more than big ideas can achieve innovation that changes lives. This innovation is all about connections and community, and our winner has built a model that encourages people to learn together and benefit from each other.
‘They have created something that breaks down barriers, removes stigma, and makes invisible people seen. Our judges were excited about the potential – and where this could go next.’
Social Care Nursing Award
Winner: Jemma Sharratt.
Finalists: Nicole Hepplewhite and Tracey Dunkley.
The judges said… ‘The judges agreed that this registered nurse embodies “good professional practice”. Her attention to the small details, capacity for care and critically thinking truly enables all she works with, to “live to their full potential”. With a commitment to lifelong learning, she was able to convey how her empathy and compassion have grown and how this is used when providing person-centred holistic care.’
CMM spoke to Jemma Sharratt, who commented, ‘I’m so excited about the future of social care and this just shows that we’re right at the beginning of that journey. It’s amazing to see that nursing in social care is being taken seriously.’
End of Life Care Award
Winner: St Ann’s Hospice.
Finalists: Nightingale Hammerson and Galanos House, Royal British Legion.
The judges said… ‘The winner demonstrated an amazing willingness to develop innovative approaches in providing palliative and end-of-life care, focusing on a rehabilitative approach.
‘The team hold a strong belief that everyone deserves to have the best quality of life possible when living with a life-limiting illness. The judges applauded the incredible work being carried out to ensure people’s final wishes are possible and to support families before, during and after their loved one’s end of life.’
The Dame Esther Rantzen Campaigning for Change Award
Winner: Community Integrated Care – Unfair to Care Campaign.
Finalists: Social Care Frontline Pay Campaign and St Andrew’s Healthcare and those who supported the Language Matters Campaign.
The judges said… ‘This campaign brings together what many in this room know to be true. Our sector is undervalued and underfunded. They have worked alongside people with lived experience to highlight the impact great care and support has on their lives. They have raised a profile of social care nationally, working in collaboration with other providers, people who are supported and political parties.’
Making a Difference Award
Winner: Shaleeza Hasham, Adopt a Grandparent.
Finalists: Ed Russell, WCS Care and Mark Heasman, Provide.
The judges said… ‘We wanted to highlight that we had an extremely difficult decision to make for this award as each finalist was outstanding.
‘But, there can only be one winner and the judges decided that this person and their initiative really are leading the way and making a difference across services on a vast scale with their passion for alleviating isolation and loneliness amongst the elderly population. This year’s winner has developed an amazing network of volunteers from all around the world to join people together to share wisdom, experience and perspectives.’
CMM spoke to Shaleeza Hasham, who commented, ‘This award means a huge amount for a really small, growing charity with big ambitions because the more we can have exposure, people can hear about the important work that we do, the more we’ll be able to pair lonely elders with willing volunteers around the world.’
A massive thank you!
Our thanks go to everyone who was involved in the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards 2024, from those nominated to the judges, supporters and sponsors. In particular, our headline sponsor, Markel, without whom the awards would simply not be possible.
We look forward to recognising more inspiring work in the voluntary and not-for-profit care and support sector with our 2025 event, which will take place on Friday 14th March.
Follow us on social media to stay up to date. @3rdSectorCare and #3rdSectorCareAwards or visit the website for more.