Celebrating Our Great British Care Awards 2025 Regional Winners
Published 28 November 2025
Making Space is proud to celebrate the outstanding colleagues, volunteers and carers who have been recognised at the 2025 Great British Care Awards (GBCA) regional finals. Across Yorkshire & Humberside and the North West, our teams and the people we support shone brightly, earning well-deserved recognition for their compassion, expertise and unwavering commitment to putting people first.
This year, Making Space was shortlisted for 12 awards across the regional GBCAs, reflecting the compassion, commitment and expertise shown by colleagues across the organisation.
We are thrilled to have brought home multiple wins, including Care Employer of the Year, Putting People First, Housing with Care, Newcomer of the Year and the Unpaid Carer Award.
Unpaid Carer Award – Yorkshire & Humberside
Alan Taylor, Rotherham Dementia Carer Support
Alan Taylor won for his extraordinary dedication to caring for his wife, whilst continuing to support others through Making Space’s dementia cafés and CT4U days, offering empathy and encouragement to fellow carers. He also donates artwork to raise funds for the service and attends Andy’s Man Club when he can to support men experiencing isolation or emotional strain.
Because he was unable to attend the ceremony, the team have arranged a special presentation in December.
Service Manager Amanda Tomlinson said:
“Alan’s quiet strength, empathy and humility have made a profound impact on everyone around him. He never seeks recognition, yet he is a devoted husband, a pillar of support for fellow carers and a true inspiration.”
Alan added:
“I don’t do any of this for recognition, but it’s touching to know that people see and appreciate what I do…I’m proud to share this award with all of them.”
Care Employer of the Year – North West
Making Space
Making Space was recognised our compassionate leadership, our commitment to colleague wellbeing and our strong focus on inclusive, person-centred care.
Judges praised our Recipe for Success strategy, Quality Plan 2025–2028, Real Living Wage commitment and organisation-wide dedication to co-production, continuous improvement and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Putting People First Award – North West
Lisa Coates-Peers, Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Warrington-based Lisa won for her pioneering, person-centred work supporting people clients who face barriers to accessing care.
As the service’s LGBTQ+ Champion and an EDI Ambassador, Lisa uses her lived experience to influence truly inclusive practice. She has developed innovative tools including a non-verbal screening resource for neurodivergent clients and accessible materials that help clinicians adapt their approach.
Lisa said:
“Equity, equality, diversity and inclusion aren’t extras – they are the driving force behind truly compassionate care.”
Housing with Care Award – North West
Kim Clibery & Heidi Francis, Support Worker Team Leaders, Hollymere Extra Care
Kim and Heidi won for their outstanding person-centred support that helps older residents live independently while staying socially connected.
Their leadership has shaped new wellbeing initiatives such as the Happiness Programme and community projects including Port Histories. Their strength has been especially remarkable during a challenging year in which Heidi faced a cancer diagnosis with resilience and courage.
In their joint statement, Kim and Heidi said:
“We are incredibly proud and humbled to have won…a massive heartfelt thank you to everybody for being part of our journey at Hollymere.”
Regional Head of Operations David Matthews added:
“They embody what Making Space is all about: heartfelt compassion and putting people first.”
Care Newcomer Award – East Midlands
Holly Turner, Senior Support Worker, Swallow Lodge
Holly was recognised for the exceptional impact she has made within her first year in care. Joining the sector less than 12 months ago, she has quickly become a driving force at Swallow Lodge, using her organisation, empathy and values-led approach to strengthen everyday practice.
Her person-centred support helps people with learning disabilities and complex needs feel safe, included and understood. Holly has improved routines, introduced clearer systems and helped create a calmer, more connected environment for both colleagues and the people staying at the service.
Known for her emotional intelligence and trauma-informed practice, Holly builds strong, trusting relationships and brings a calming, natural leadership style that colleagues say makes Swallow Lodge feel “more like a home than a service.
Taking of the success, Making Space CEO, Rachel Peacock, concluded:
These awards are a powerful reminder of the real heart and dedication that drive Making Space every single day. Each of our regional winners represents the very best of who we are – compassionate, inclusive and steadfastly committed to putting people first.
Alan’s courage and devotion, Lisa’s passion for inclusion, Holly’s remarkable impact as a newcomer, and Kim and Heidi’s unwavering care for their community all shine brightly as examples of exceptional practice.
Being named Care Employer of the Year is an incredibly proud moment for us, reflecting our commitment to creating a workplace where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to thrive. We are honoured to celebrate these achievements and look forward to supporting all our winners as they go through to the national finals in 2026.
All the regional winners will represent Making Space at the GBCA National Finals in 2026 at the ICC in Birmingham.
Their achievements reflect a year of dedication, expertise and kindness from colleagues, volunteers and unpaid carers across the charity.