Making Space attends House of Lords Afternoon Tea Celebration

Published 26 March 2026

On Wednesday 25 March 2026, colleagues from Making Space were honoured to attend a special Afternoon Tea at the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Palmer of Childs Hill OBE.

The event, hosted by Lord Palmer of Childs Hill OBE, brought together social care leaders, employers and inspirational frontline staff from across the sector, including supporters, finalists and winners of the Housing with Care and Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards. It provided a unique opportunity to celebrate excellence in social care, raise the profile of the sector, and connect with others committed to making a meaningful difference.

Representing Making Space were our CEO, Rachel Peacock, and Emma Appleyard, Support Worker at Swallow Lodge in Lincolnshire.

Emma joined Making Space just seven months ago and has already made an incredible impact. She was recently recognised as our December 2025 Living Our Values Award winner for “Dreaming Big”, thanks to her creativity and initiative in developing a mural project in partnership with a local university. Her work has placed the people we support at the heart of the project, creating opportunities for creativity, collaboration and long-term positive change within the service.

Reflecting on the day, Rachel said:

I was incredibly proud to represent Making Space at the event. It was a privilege to attend alongside Emma, one of our dedicated Support Workers, whose compassion and commitment truly reflect the values we stand for.

Spending time with so many inspiring individuals across the sector reinforced just how vital our work is, and the difference it makes every single day. Sharing afternoon tea in such a prestigious setting made the occasion even more special, a meaningful moment to champion the outstanding contributions of our teams and the wider social care community.

Emma also shared her experience of the day:

I had a wonderful time, and I enjoyed talking to other people in the sector, and hearing speeches expressing gratitude for everyone that works in care. Lord Palmer of Childs Hill acknowledged that care work is underfunded and can often feel overlooked, so sitting in a room with people who work hard to make a difference every day - despite the difficulties we face in the sector - was inspiring. It made me feel very proud to be a support worker.

The event was not only a celebration of excellence across social care, but also a reminder of the passion, resilience and dedication shown by colleagues across the sector every day.

We are incredibly proud to see our teams represented on such a prestigious platform, and to continue championing the vital work of social care.