Making Space celebrates inspiring colleagues at the 2026 Colleague Awards
Published 13 July 2026
Making Space has celebrated the incredible dedication, compassion and achievements of colleagues and volunteers from across the organisation at its annual Colleague Awards.
Held on Friday 10 July at The Queens Hotel, Leeds, the awards recognise the individuals and teams who inspire others, go above and beyond expectations, and make a real difference to the lives of the people they support.
With more than 1,000 colleagues and over 100 volunteers, this year's awards attracted more than 250 nominations, highlighting the remarkable commitment shown across Making Space every day. Finalists enjoyed a three-course lunch, generously sponsored by businesses from around the UK, before the winners were announced during a ceremony compered by performer Steve Walls.
Winners included:
Outstanding Contribution Award (sponsored by Procurem)
WINNER: Isabella Bray & Mollie Fidlin, Support Workers – Swallow Lodge Respite Care, Lincolnshire
For their outstanding partnership, consistently demonstrating exceptional professionalism, compassion and skill, while supporting colleagues, championing high-quality practice and making a lasting difference to the lives of the people they support at Swallow Lodge.
Wellbeing Hero Award
WINNERS: Emma Appleyard, Support Worker - Swallow Lodge Respite Care, Lincolnshire
For her kindness, creativity and unwavering commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of the people she supports, their families and colleagues, bringing compassion, positivity and meaningful improvements to life at Swallow Lodge every day.
Learner of the Year Award
WINNER: Annie Alexander, Senior Support Worker – Rivacre House, Ellesmere Port
Recognised for her exceptional commitment to continuous learning and professional development, using her knowledge to inspire colleagues, mentor new apprentices and continually enhance the quality of care and support provided at Rivacre House.
Volunteer of the Year Award (sponsored by Solid State Security)
WINNER: Cerys Gaffney – St Helens Family Support, Merseyside
For transforming her own lived experience into hope for others, dedicating her time to supporting families affected by addiction, championing the service through fundraising and peer support, and making a lasting difference to her local community.
Behind the Scenes Award
WINNER: Annette Taylor, Property Services Manager, Warrington Head Office
For her unwavering dedication to keeping our services safe and welcoming, while going above and beyond to support colleagues, fundraising and the wider organisation with kindness, commitment and an unwavering passion for Making Space.
Inspiring Leader Award (sponsored by Neuven)
WINNER: Chris Hunter, Registered Service Manager Multi Site - Swallow Lodge and Cedar House, Lincolnshire
Recognised for his inspiring leadership, empowering colleagues to reach their full potential, building a positive and values-led culture, and transforming services to achieve outstanding outcomes for the people who draw on support and their families.
Diversity and Inclusion Award (sponsored by Countrywide Healthcare)
WINNER: The Palmyra Team, Waterloo Liverpool
For creating a genuinely inclusive culture where diversity is celebrated every day, using meaningful conversations, cultural activities and shared experiences to help people feel valued, connected and empowered to be themselves.
Newcomer Award (sponsored by Advanced Water Technologies Ltd)
WINNER: Isabella Bray, Support Worker – Swallow Lodge Respite Care, Lincolnshire
For making an exceptional impact in her first year in care, quickly developing into a confident and compassionate practitioner whose positivity, professionalism and person-centred approach have enriched the lives of the people she supports and strengthened the whole team.
Team of the Year (sponsored by Montane Insurance)
WINNERS: Rivacre House Team, Ellesmere Port
For working together to deliver outstanding person-centred care, placing co-production at the heart of everything they do and empowering people to shape their own lives while creating a warm, inclusive and inspiring community at Rivacre House.
Co-Production Award
WINNER: Fasihah Kousar, Service Manager - Peterborough Carers Wellbeing Service
For championing genuine co-production by listening to carers, acting on their feedback and working in partnership to shape inclusive services that empower carers and ensure their voices drive meaningful change.
Community Integration Award
WINNER: Joanne Lee, Support Worker - Kingshill Residential, Standish, Greater Manchester
For building strong community connections that empower people to live fuller, more independent lives, creating opportunities for inclusion, friendship and belonging both within Kingshill and across the local community.
And finally, the Jordan Carrington Kind Hearted Award – introduced in 2024 in memory of a much-loved colleague – was presented to Elisa Rice, Team Leader at the Huddersfield Road Young Person Service in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, for her exceptional kindness, compassion and unwavering belief in others, always seeing the potential in every young person and colleague, and helping them find confidence, hope and strength, even when they cannot yet see it in themselves.
Celebrating learning, long service and living our values
Alongside the main awards, 22 learners were recognised for their commitment to professional development, while 28 colleagues celebrated long service milestones ranging from 10 to 35 years with Making Space.
The event also recognised the winners of our Living Our Values (LoV) Awards, a monthly programme celebrating colleagues and volunteers who demonstrate Making Space's values of Kind Hearts, Tailor Making, Dreaming Big, Having Courage and Being Ready in everything they do.
Making Space Deputy CEO, Phil Orton, said:
Every year I leave our Colleague Awards feeling incredibly proud of the people who make Making Space such a special organisation. The stories we hear remind us that outstanding care isn't just about what we do - it's about how we do it. It's about kindness, compassion, creativity, teamwork and believing in people, even when they may not believe in themselves. Congratulations to every finalist and winner and thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination. Your stories shine a light on the extraordinary difference our colleagues and volunteers make every single day, and I couldn't be prouder to work alongside such inspiring people.
Michael Seymour, Managing Director at Ad Alta Consulting, headline sponsor of the 2026 Colleague Awards, added:
Following 18 months of close collaboration with Making Space operational and central teams on the Digital Transformation Programme (DTP), we are delighted to sponsor the Making Space Colleague Awards 2026. Having witnessed first-hand the exceptional expertise, passion, and dedication shown by Making Space's colleagues each and every day, it is our honour to celebrate these remarkable individuals and recognise their outstanding achievements.
Thank you to our sponsors
The awards were made possible thanks to the generous support of businesses from across the UK, including our headline sponsor Ad Alta Consulting and award sponsors Montane Insurance, Procurem, Advanced Water Technologies Ltd, Solid State Security, Countrywide Healthcare and Neuven.
Thank you to our judges
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our external judges, who generously gave their time and expertise to support this year's awards. From reviewing nominations and scoring applications to interviewing shortlisted finalists, their insight, professionalism and independent perspective played a vital role in recognising the outstanding colleagues and volunteers who make such a difference across Making Space. Thank you to Jessica Carmody (Making Space Trustee), Markus Edwards (Not Just Travel), Victoria Garrett (National Care Forum), Carolyn Tipper (C the Solution), Neil Lewis (Empathy Coach), Jan Felton (Training Unlimited), Tony Longmore (F11 Photography), Jade Palmer (Squiggle Consultancy), Anne Broadhurst (Making Space Volunteer) and Jenny Allcock (Creating Adventures).
Join our team
If you're looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference and be part of a values-led organisation, explore our current opportunities and discover what it's like to work at Making Space here.