Creative Support turns 35!
This year, Creative Support turned 35! To mark the special occasion, we’re holding not one not two, but three parties across the country so the Creative Support community can celebrate together in style.
This year’s theme was ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’, with magical decorations and creative activities that helped everyone get into the birthday spirit. Attendees came dressed to impress with flower crowns and dashing outfits. We even welcomed a ‘Greatest Showman’ or two!
Everyone had the opportunity to throw a handmade decoration into the wishing well, with a lucky few winning the raffle when their token was chosen at the end. A big thank you to our co-production centre, Creative Together in Manchester, along with attendees at our Creative Collabs and those who joined us in Head Office for your help in decorating these beautiful tokens.
Keep reading to hear more about each event, some of the standout moments, and what our wonderful guests had to say about the day.
Manchester Gala – 16th July 2026
That’s a wrap folks!
On Thursday, 16th July, we held our final 35th Gala Celebration in the impressive Old Trafford Cricket Ground. “It’s been a fabulous birthday celebrating 35 years. Creative Support are absolutely super for looking after me”, said Stuart, who we support in Manchester.
Over 400 guests attended, enjoying a delicious three-course meal whilst awards were announced. Awards season was packed at this event – with our Registered Manager Awards, Business and Admin Awards, and We Care awards which were presented by Service Director, Leigh Birch, Area Manager, Diane Burrow, and Caine, who we support in Manchester.
Creative Stars awards were presented by Board of Trustee member, Fiona, as well as Nicola who we support in Wigan, Winnie who is based in Salford, Jane and Toni. Our Volunteer Awards were presented by Service Development Officer, Lucy, and Head Office Volunteer, John.
We also had our awards of the day:
- Caine from Tameside won ‘Best Dressed’ with their glittery high heels and perfect makeup
- Garth from our Blackburn Social Inclusion Service won ‘Best Dancer’ for absolutely lighting up the dance floor
- Jenny and Anthony in Warrington were our ‘Best Singers’ for their rendition of ‘Tragedy’ by Steps
- Osbourne Road were thrilled to win ‘Best Dressed Service’, with the people we support having tailored suits especially for the event
We kept up the energy with Nicola from Trafford and Madison from Blackpool who helped draw our raffle winners. Many fabulous performers sang their favourite karaoke songs, and our dancefloor was bouncing until the very end of the disco.
We said a fond farewell to Sheila Reynolds Newby, who retired from her role as Area Manager after 28 dedicated years at Creative Support. She was presented with a beautiful bouquet and a surprise video from Service Director, Colette Leigh. Colette said: “I just wanted to personally thank you and wish you all the very best in your retirement. You have made a massive contribution to Creative Support and to the lives of the people we support.”
We enjoyed poetry performances from Ethan from Essex, whose moving piece ‘Pushing 30’ was full of reflection and passion, while Chair of the Board, Joolz Casey, dedicated a heartfelt farewell poem to Creative Support. This was Joolz’s last gala as Chair of the Board and to thank her for her dedication over the past seven years, we presented her with flowers and personal thanks from Anna Lunts, Chief Executive Officer.
Nicola from Wigan said: “My favourite thing about today is everything! The dancing, the food – it’s been amazing and fantastic. Everybody is happy. Creative Support has helped me so far, especially Beth and Antonia. Thank you for all the support you do here.”
Thank you to everyone who has joined us at Leeds, Birmingham or Manchester and to those who held their very own celebration at their service. We are so proud and happy to mark 35 years of Creative Support, here’s to the next 35!
Birmingham Gala – 26th June 2026
We celebrated our second Gala in sunny Birmingham on the hottest day of the year. The lovely (and air conditioned!) Eastside Rooms welcomed us all with open arms, providing sweet relief from the scorching weather outside.
The venue was buzzing with anticipation upon the arrival of our first guests, who were greeted by our magical fairies in front of our flower wall. People we support excitedly crowded around the crafts, designing their very own masquerade-style masks and fanciful flower bouquets.
We also hosted a face painting station, with artists ready to design beautiful images with glitter, gems and face paints. Throughout the day, our team made sure all the sparkles and designs were tailored to people’s whimsical attire, including butterflies and flowers.
Our Creative Stars awards were presented to the outstanding people we support, including:
James, a person we support in Essex, who received the High Flyer Award for working hard to meet his goal. “It helps you talk about your feelings and emotions and talk about your day. I’m really proud to have won this award,” said James
Stephen, who we support in Northampton, won the Community Champion Award, always going the extra mile to help out in the wider community. “It’s absolutely wonderful, I’m grateful to have won,” said Stephen.
Martyn, who we support in Bedford, won the Eco-Friendly Award for being an eco-champion. “It’s great to receive this award,” said Martyn.
Alex, who we support in Stoke, won the Positivity Award for always bringing the sunshine. “It makes me really happy and I’m really proud of myself for winning this award,” said Alex.
Our We Care Awards followed, including our 2025 Registered Managers Awards. Anna Lunts, CEO, opened the awards by noting that “We wouldn’t be where we are without the fabulous work of our Registered Managers, who are incredibly well supported by Claire Robinson, Head of Quality. We are very proud to be able to award three of the Registered Managers joining us today.”
Winners of the Registered Managers We Care Awards included:
Sandra Rogers from Northamptonshire, who won our Contribution to the Wider Creative Support Community Award.
Joao Elviro from Bedfordshire, who won our Engagement with Quality Statements Being Evidence-Based Award.
Emily Horne from Bedfordshire, who won our Living Out the ‘I’ and ‘We’ Statements Award
Finally, to commemorate the incredible event, we presented four awards on the day, showing appreciation to our inspirational attendees. Our carefully selected winners included:
Aneesa, who we support in Dudley, was named Best Singer.
Hei, who we support in Northampton, was named Best Dancer.
Michelle, who we support in Telford, was named Best Dressed Individual.
Byrne Road was named Best Dressed Service.
As the awards came to an end, everyone joined the dancefloor to Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’ and the phenomenal karaoke performances. Ciaran, who we support in Warwickshire, said: “My favourite is the dancing, I’m always on the dancefloor. Happy birthday Creative Support!”
“Thank you for inviting me, I’ve had a really good time. Creative Support are the best. All I want is to be friends with everyone so thank you so much,” said Stephen, a person we support in Northampton.
Leeds Gala – 11th June 2026
Our first Gala was held in Leeds at the famed Headingly Stadium, with views over both the cricket and rugby pitches. Guests arrived from 11am and the show quickly got on the road, with attendees either heading to the dancefloor to get into the party spirit, joining one of our activity tables to make a mask or flower crown, or getting their face painted by our resident artist.
“Words can’t describe, I’m feeling like a million dollars. We’ve got lovely kind support staff, lovely manager Simone, everyone is doing such a fantastic job,” said Stephen, who we support in Doncaster. He raved about the delicious food he had tried, “the best things about today is the lovely food. Spiced butternut squash soup, the lovely curry that I can’t wait to try, and the lovely lemon torte that I cannot wait to eat!”
As the first of three tasty courses was served, the awards presentation began, and guests got to hear about the wonderful achievements from people in the Creative Support community. First the Creative Stars Award winners were announced, sharing the inspirational stories of people we support. These awards celebrated those who won either a Community Champion Award for going the extra mile to help out in the wider community; a Positivity Award for always bringing the sunshine, even to grey days; a High Flyer Award for working hard to meet their goal; or an Eco-Friendly award for being an eco-champion.
Next up was the We Care Awards, which celebrate our incredible staff for going above and beyond to make a difference to the lives of people we support. Gold, Silver and Quality winners were brought onto the stage and attendees were regaled with the stories, from saving lives to personifying the We Care values and making a difference. Gary in the North East collected his Silver We Care Award for his amazing, tailored support to Cassie, who nominated him, and wanted to say thank you for helping her look after her chickens at the allotment. “It was absolutely mind blowing,” said Gary when he collected his award. “I had a great day and it was quite a surprise as I thought the event was later in the year! The Gala was even more than I was expecting, what a wonderful day.”
Rounding off the presentations, CEO Anna Lunts wanted to share a very special thank you to Heather Lowrey who, after 21 years of working at Creative Support, has set a retirement date for this coming August. “Throughout your career Heather, you have made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the North of the North East Region,” said Anna. “Under your leadership, the region has grown from the early days of our Sunderland and Gateshead services, to delivering support across five local authorities and 17 locations. Your commitment, vision, and dedication have helped shape the services we provide today. Your impact on colleagues, services, and the individuals we support will be felt for many years to come. Enjoy a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.”
After the speeches wrapped up, it was once again time to hit the dancefloor. The karaoke machine also came out and guests were treated to wonderful renditions of classic hits, including Let It Go sang by the incredibly talented Ann-Marie from Stockton. We also heard the vocal stylings of Holly from the North East, who dazzled attendees here and also at our 30th Birthday Galas all the way back in 2021!
Attendee Adam Clarke, who we support in Calderdale and Kirklees, said his “favourite part of the day was dancing. The best song was ‘Gangam Style’, I know all the dance moves!”
While people danced, the queue for the photobooth snaked around as people tried on fun outfits and got to keep a fabulous momento from the day.
Debbie J, who we support in the North East, said her favourite part was not one activity, but the whole day, with “entertainment, people getting their awards, people making wristbands and hairbands. Everything’s made my dreams come true and I really enjoyed everything.”
At the end of the day, as guests began to head home, everyone received a goodie bag with a delicious cupcake inside, decorated with flowers and butterflies to match the theme. Gabrielle from South Shields told us that she saved hers and “enjoyed it with a cup of tea” when she got home.
Sven, a person we support in Stockton, reflected on the day: “It’s been incredible and I think getting everyone together throughout the country is marvellous. It’s something that will always live with me in my memories. I’ve had really good fun, absolutely good fun. Every Gala I’ve been at I’ve really enjoyed it and I’ve enjoyed being involved and presenting like I did today.”
“Happy Birthday Creative Support. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. You’ve made me the happiest person I could ever be in my life,” said Ann-Marie.
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