Making Space celebrates Great British Care Awards 2026 finalists

Published 21 September 2026

We’re delighted to share that eight inspirational Making Space colleagues, teams, volunteers and carers have been shortlisted in the regional finals of the Great British Care Awards 2026.

Spanning our services across the North West and Yorkshire & Humberside, this year’s finalists recognise the many different people who make social care special – from colleagues delivering outstanding person-centred support to teams creating opportunities for people to live with greater choice and independence, and unpaid carers and volunteers using their own experiences to support others.

The Great British Care Awards celebrate excellence across the social care sector, recognising individuals and teams who go above and beyond to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Our 2026 finalists

North West region:

Tony Murphy, Support Worker, St Helens Family Support – Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award
At 73, Tony continues to make an extraordinary difference to families affected by a loved one’s alcohol or substance use. During more than a decade with Making Space, he has supported countless families and played an important role in developing the service. His work includes pioneering St Helens’ first dedicated Ketamine Family Support Group and helping secure additional funding to respond to increasing demand.

Joanne Lee, Activities Co-ordinator, Kingshill Residential, Standish – Care Home Activity Organiser Award
Joanne creates meaningful, person-centred opportunities that help the people supported at Kingshill build confidence, independence and connections with their community. From cafés, farms and festivals to live music, creative activities and inclusive nights out, everything is shaped around individual interests, abilities and aspirations.

Cerys Gaffney, Volunteer/Carer, St Helens Family Support – Unpaid Carer Award
Cerys has transformed her own experience as an unpaid carer supporting her daughter through ketamine addiction into a source of hope for other families. Alongside working full time, she gives her time to peer support, advocacy and raising awareness, and was instrumental in establishing an evening Family Ketamine Support Group in St Helens.

Gillian Oliver, Support Worker, Wigan Supported Housing – Care Home Worker Award
Gill has been recognised for her compassion, professionalism and commitment to the people she supports at Brook Street and Douglas Court. Her ability to understand and advocate for people’s individual needs was demonstrated when her swift action helped a person who was unable to communicate that they were seriously unwell to receive urgent, life-saving medical treatment.

Palmyra Team, Liverpool – Putting People First Award
The team at Palmyra has created a culture where people are listened to, valued and empowered to shape life within their home. Their creative programme of cultural and inclusion activities celebrates identity, history and lived experience, helping people express what matters to them and creating a genuine sense of belonging.

Yorkshire & Humberside region:

Ivanhoe Road Team, Rotherham Community Supported Living – Putting People First Award
Since Ivanhoe Road opened in April 2025, the team has created a home where people are supported to make their own choices, develop new skills and become more independent. Their highly personalised approach has helped people grow in confidence, become more active within their communities and work towards goals that matter to them.

Paula Ward, Bradford & Airedale Mental Health Carer Support Service – Unpaid Carer Award
An unpaid carer herself, Paula has spent more than a decade voluntarily supporting other carers across Bradford and Airedale. She leads a monthly craft group that provides friendship, creativity and valuable time away from caring responsibilities, alongside supporting fundraising, exhibitions and other wellbeing activities.

Rotherham Dementia Carer Support Team – Care Team Award
The team provides compassionate support to people living with dementia and their unpaid carers, including one-to-one advice and six monthly Memory Cafés across Rotherham. They have also developed Carers Time for You sessions in direct response to carers’ feedback, providing four hours of meaningful respite while their loved ones enjoy activities in a safe and supportive environment.

Making Space CEO Rachel Peacock said:

Being shortlisted for eight Great British Care Awards is a wonderful recognition of the people who bring our values to life every day. What makes this year’s shortlist particularly special is the breadth of those being celebrated – colleagues and teams alongside volunteers and unpaid carers, all making a difference in their own way.

Behind every nomination are real stories of kindness, courage, creativity and people working together to make sure others feel heard, valued and that they belong. I’m incredibly proud of every one of our finalists and of the wider teams and communities around them. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted, and we wish you the very best of luck at the regional finals.

The Great British Care Awards bring together people from across the statutory, independent and voluntary sectors, as well as unpaid carers, to celebrate outstanding achievement and share best practice across social care.

We’re incredibly proud to see so many people from across Making Space recognised in 2026 and look forward to cheering on all eight of our finalists at the regional awards in November.