We Care Award Winners!
Thank you so much to everyone who submitted a We Care Award nomination. We are delighted to announce the winners of our latest round of awards, as chosen by our panel.
These awards recognise the people and teams who personify our ‘We Care’ values (Welcoming, Empowering, Compassionate, Aspirational, Respectful, Effective) and have delivered positive outcomes.
Individuals will receive £50 in vouchers for Silver awards and £100 for Gold.
For group nominations, Silver award winners will receive £25 per person up to a maximum of £100 in vouchers. For Gold, groups will receive £50 per person up to £200 in vouchers. All those nominated will receive a Quality Certificate to recognise their efforts.
Congratulations to all of our most recent winners:
Gold Award
David Morgan, Support Worker and Catherine Ridsdale, Relief Support Worker – Doncaster
David and Catherine have demonstrated remarkable resilience and exceptional commitment during two emergencies this year. They stayed calm and in control, using their training to provide dignified, compassionate support. Emergency services praised their confident, effective actions and the crucial role they played in helping save a life.
In the days that followed, they continued to show deep understanding, sensitivity, and kindness, ensuring truly person-centred care. David visited the hospital on his days off, while Catherine helped keep the service running smoothly. Their dedication was instrumental in the person’s rapid recovery and they are now back doing the things they love.
Described as “selfless, considerate, and empathetic” by a colleague, Catherine and David have truly earned Gold. Well done to you both, you are true assets to your team in Doncaster.
Silver Award
Clare Guest, Wellbeing Officer – Barnsley
Clare pays close attention to the interests of the people she supports, and this helped her create an experience that “changed someone’s life.” She learned that one person had always loved football but had never been to a match. Clare encouraged them that it’s never too late to follow a dream and arranged a first match. She organised a private stadium tour, a meet-and-greet with players, lunch in the canteen, and a personalised shirt, ensuring they felt safe and included throughout the day.
Family noticed a lift in this person’s mood and were deeply grateful. This story, shared widely by the football team and local media, shows how thoughtful care creates lasting impact not just on an individual level, but in the wider community too. Huge congratulations, Clare.
Andrew Russell, Support Worker – Darlington
Andrew’s quick response to an emergency situation demonstrates his absolute dedication to the people he supports and his strong sense of responsibility. After phoning someone in his care, he immediately sensed that something was not right. Rather than dismiss his concerns, he chose to visit in person to make sure everything was okay. When he still wasn’t reassured, Andrew acted without hesitation and contacted emergency services, ensuring that help arrived as quickly as possible. His thoughtful actions and calm judgement played a vital role in preventing the situation from becoming more serious.
Friends and family really appreciate Andrew’s commitment and professionalism. Thanks to his intervention, this individual is now receiving the support they need to continue living a safe, fulfilling, and independent life. Thank you for your dedication, Andrew.
Billy Wright Close and Bridge Street – Wolverhampton
The teams at Billy Wright Close and Bridge Street are “compassionate, aspirational, and highly effective” in supporting people with complex and changing health needs. Their care has been transformative in helping one individual regain joy, energy, and hope for the future. One community professional says the staff are “everything” to the people they support.
The teams surround individuals with warmth and unwavering support, attending all hospital appointments and offering practical and emotional reassurance. Their commitment is often formally recognised by multi-agency professionals.
Staff ensure safety, stability, and emotional wellbeing. One family member said the team had “been there all the way.” Their partnership working, flexibility, and empathy have prevented unnecessary hospital admissions and enabled people to stay at home, feel respected, and maintain independence. Congratulations all, your outstanding care is making a huge difference.
Dignity in Care
Baljinder Kaur, Waking Night Support Worker – Stockton-on-Tees
Bally has worked at his service for 15 years, coordinating the night team and providing the utmost dignity to the people she supports. Recently, when a person she supports became unwell on her shift, she acted quickly, stayed with them in hospital, and ensured a smooth handover. As their condition worsened, Bally volunteered to work her night shifts at the hospital and picked up extras to help. She showed great compassion to both the person she supports and his family, providing consistency and communicating well with ward staff, colleagues, and management. Although she is relocating to the Midlands, her colleagues are glad Creative Support is keeping her through a well-earned promotion.
The people you support will miss you, Bally. Your colleagues say, “Every service needs a Bally!”
Quality Certificate
Catherine Windridge, Support Worker – North East Lincolnshire
Catherine is a wonderful member of the team and has achieved fantastic milestones within the service. She recently developed a technique that successfully encouraged an individual to go outside, resulting in them going out three times in one week. Catherine then shared this approach with the rest of the staff, helping to build the individual’s confidence within the community.
Not only does she provide exceptional care to the people we support, but she is also consistently welcoming to colleagues and visitors. She is eager to support anyone new to the building and empowers all staff she works alongside. One colleague describes Catherine as an “amazing part of the team” who is “always willing to help when we need her.”
Her achievements have enabled other staff to build upon these skills, contributing to people we support living more fulfilling lives. Congratulations, Catherine – your accomplishments are both important and impressive.
Whinn Dale Extra Care, Staff Team – Wakefield
From the moment you walk into Whinn Dale, the welcome is second to none. The team is warm, polite, and always ready to help with any need or question. They provide excellent support to all residents, promoting dignity and independence at every opportunity and empowering individuals to continue their daily routines after moving in. The staff embrace change, eagerly completing new training to continually improve their practice.
Since joining Creative Support, the team has fully engaged with a new activities schedule, showing new strengths in how they interact with residents and earning heartfelt compliments from families and visitors. As one colleague said, “I’m proud to support a team that supports each other as well as our residents.”
Whinn Dale – your care and commitment to dignity for the people you support is truly inspiring.
Serah Murega, Deputy Supported Living Manager – Bedford
Serah embodies compassionate leadership and represents Creative Support with exceptional professionalism. She recently received glowing feedback from a student social worker who completed a placement at her service. Serah’s commitment to supporting learning and guiding a social care student clearly reflected our We Care Values.
The student described Serah as “exceptional,” praising the meaningful learning opportunities she provided and her invaluable insight into relationship-based practice. The knowledge and skills Serah shares with students and staff have a lasting impact.
Such positive feedback helps us secure future student placements, benefiting both the team and those training in social care. Serah, you are truly a credit to the organisation. Well done.
To nominate in the next round of We Care Awards, please download the nomination form
and send it to wecare.awards@creativesupport.co.uk
We can’t wait to receive your nominations for
the next round and wish you the best of luck!