Celebrating colleague achievements at the 2026 Somerset Care Group Awards

15 May 2026

Earlier this week, we gathered to celebrate the incredible achievements of inspiring colleagues at our annual Somerset Care Group Awards. 

Over 500 nominations were received from colleagues, customers, residents, families and partner organisations, all seeking to recognise and celebrate individuals and teams for efforts and actions which make a real and positive difference. The awards ceremony provided the opportunity to share their inspiring and uplifting stories, celebrate their successes, and hear from people whose lives have been enriched and enhanced as a result.

With grateful thanks to our generous business partners and sponsors, we were once again able to celebrate at the iconic Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford, with our ceremony livestreamed to those watching in our care homes or in their own home. 

And the winners are

We are pleased to announce the winners of our 2026 Somerset Care Group Awards.

Carer of the Year Award – Abu Jafor, Croft House

This award recognises carers who have the ability to empower people and enrich their lives.

Our 2026 Carer of the Year Award winner received no less than 24 separate nominations from colleagues, customers and their families, demonstrating the incredible difference they make to those they support or work alongside. Congratulations, Abu!

Finalists: Constance Chaungama from Field House, Jane Kahura from Lavender Court

Hidden Heroes Award – Margaret Pavey, Greenhill House

A great many successes are only possible thanks to the support of someone quietly beavering away behind the scenes. This award recognises treasured colleagues who deserve their moment in the limelight.

Congratulations Margaret, you are our Hidden Hero winner for 2026!

Finalists: Primrose Wood from Realise, Vimal Ayyappan from Wessex House

This award celebrates great leaders across the organisation, and recognises their ability to inspire, motivate and support colleagues to achieve great things. 

Congratulations Sally, for the positive impact that you have clearly had on those you lead, support and work alongside.

Finalists: Emma Fox from Realise, Marzena Smith from Grovelands

Nominees in this category have striven to become the best they can be, through training, learning and achieving qualifications. 

Congratulations on being crowned our Learner of the Year for 2026, Georgina!

Finalists: Ausrine Miskiniene from the Halcon Centre, Chloe Evans from Burnworthy House, Fay Difford from Greenhill House

Introduced in 2025, this category is designed to enable Registered Managers across all of our settings and services to nominate and recognise someone outstanding – whether within their own team, or any other area of the organisation. 

Congratulations Kieron, for being this year’s winner!

Finalists: Caroline Stevens from Greenhill House, Sharon Salisbury from Burnworthy House

Joining a new team or starting a new role can be a daunting prospect. This category celebrates colleagues who have seamlessly slotted into their new team, brought new skills and expertise to their area of the business, and been recognised as an all-round amazing team player. 

Congratulations, Liliana – you are our 2026 Newcomer of the Year!

Finalists: Dickson Joseph from Pulsford Lodge, Samantha Tinarwo from Cooksons Court

This award is very special, with nominations coming exclusively from our customers, residents and their families, enabling them to recognise and celebrate those who have truly made a difference to them and their loved ones.

Congratulations, Jerrin, for inspiring such a heartfelt and moving testimony from the family of a resident you supported. 

Finalists: Emma Summers from Greenhill House, Spencer Cox from Fletcher House

New for 2026, and introduced due to popular demand, this award recognises colleagues working in Support Centre roles who provide invaluable expertise, guidance and support that enables front line teams to deliver outstanding care. 

Congratulations Kayley, for being the first ever winner of this award!

Finalists: Emma Roberts from Finance, Jason Shaw from IT, Naomi Holland-Mervin from the New Business Team.

This award category recognises teams who work together to create a real impact. 

This year, we are proud to celebrate a team of individuals whose quick-thinking and joint effort saw them use their skills, training and expertise to save an individual’s life.

A heartfelt congratulations to the Calway House Nursing Team. 

Finalists: the CLP Realise Team and the Recruitment Team.

Collaboration Award – Realise and Halcon Centre Teams

This surprise award celebrates teams who have shown a brilliant example of partnership and teamwork, demonstrating how working together across services can benefit individuals and truly change lives. 

Congratulations to our Halcon Centre and Realise teams, who together created a bespoke package of care between the two services, to support and empower an individual with an acquired brain injury to reclaim her life and reconnect with her family.

This award celebrates the connections made with colleagues, customers and local communities, as well as the formation of professional partnerships and strong links which deliver benefits to all concerned. 

Congratulations Jackie, for being crowned winner of our 2026 Connecting with People Award!

Finalists: Gemma Clarke from Cooksons Court, Shaun Dykes and Darrell Welch from the Property Team

It’s not always easy to do the right thing – but it is incredibly powerful, meaningful and impactful. This award recognises an individual who chose to do the right thing, even when it wasn’t the easy option to take. 

Congratulations Sophia, on being the worthy winner of this award!

Finalists: Carrie Ann Bissett from Grovelands, Maria Chappell Williams from Somerset Home Care

Our Embracing Change Award celebrates colleagues who are innovative, forward-thinking and embrace positive change to the benefit of themselves and others. 

Congratulations to Lauren, our 2026 Embracing Change Award winner!

Finalists: Peripatetic Manager Chris Hayes, Colm Campbell and Megan Short from Way Ahead Care

In this award category, we celebrate colleagues who have made a real and positive difference for the people they work with or care for, and the amazing changes they have made for the better.

Congratulations, Rose!

Finalists: Benjamin Ostle from Lavender Court, Ewa Plowman from Cooksons Court

This award recognises colleagues who champion effective wellbeing practices, ensure people feel heard, and makes sure the right support is available for those who need it. 

Congratulations Kiera, for being this year’s Wellbeing Award winner!

Finalists: Aly Watts from Wyndham House, Kevin Mellor from the Halcon Centre, Spencer Cox from Fletcher House

This award was introduced in December 2009, following the death of Harry Patch, the ‘Last Surviving Tommy’.

Harry was a resident at Fletcher House for many years, and the inaugral award was made to Carol Mohide, manager of the home. Since then, the award has developed into recognising those who deliver exceptional service to those in our care. 

Congratulations, Kevin!

You are most deserving of this award for your outstanding expertise in your area of the business, as well as the exceptional support you have shown to those around you. 

Thank you

A huge thank you to everyone who nominated, sponsored our awards ceremony or helped to recognise and celebrate the success of individuals and teams across our Somerset Care settings and services.

It is so important to recognise and reflect the wonderful things our colleagues do to support people to live the life they choose – and we couldn’t do this without you.

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