Lincolnshire care team celebrates four national award wins

Four colleagues from a Lincolnshire respite care service have been recognised for their outstanding dedication, compassion and leadership at the national Making Space Colleague Awards 2026.

National social care charity Making Space honoured colleagues from Swallow Lodge Respite Care at the annual awards, held at The Queens Hotel in Leeds on Friday 10 July.

The awards celebrate individuals and teams who inspire others, go above and beyond expectations, and make a real difference to the lives of the people they support. This year, more than 250 nominations were received from across the organisation's 1,000 colleagues and 100 volunteers.

Swallow Lodge provides specialist 24-hour respite care for up to eight adults with learning disabilities and complex needs at any one time, giving families across Lincolnshire the opportunity to rest and recharge, safe in the knowledge that their loved ones are receiving exceptional, person-centred care.

The Lincolnshire winners were:

Outstanding Contribution Award (sponsored by Procurem) – Isabella Bray and Mollie Fidlin, Support Workers, recognised for their exceptional partnership, professionalism and compassion, consistently delivering outstanding care while supporting colleagues and championing high-quality practice. Together they have become the heart of the Swallow Lodge team, supporting people with some of the most complex needs while bringing warmth, humour and reassurance to colleagues and the people they support.

Wellbeing Hero Award – Emma Appleyard, Support Worker, recognised for her kindness, creativity and commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of the people she supports, their families and colleagues. Through projects including a partnership with the University of Lincoln to brighten the home with artwork and the creation of engaging newsletters for families, Emma has made a lasting difference to life at Swallow Lodge, helping people feel more connected, informed and supported.

Newcomer Award (sponsored by Advanced Water Technologies Ltd) – Isabella Bray, recognised for making an exceptional impact during 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.

Inspiring Leader Award (sponsored by Neuven) – Chris Hunter, Registered Service Manager for Swallow Lodge, recognised for his empowering leadership, creating a positive, values-led culture and helping colleagues reach their full potential while delivering outstanding outcomes for the people who draw on support and their families. Chris has built a culture where colleagues feel supported to grow, while encouraging the people they support to become more independent, transforming lives and giving families confidence in the service.

The judges praised the Lincolnshire team for creating a culture built on kindness, trust and continuous improvement. Together, the winners have helped transform the service through compassionate leadership, innovative ideas, exceptional teamwork and an unwavering commitment to ensuring every person who stays at Swallow Lodge receives the very best support.

Double winner, Isabella Bray said: "I am incredibly appreciative and grateful for the recognition I received at this year's awards. Even just to be nominated alongside such hard-working and accomplished colleagues from our charity was an honour. To receive a win in both of my categories was such a special moment, and one I'll remember for a long time, especially to be nominated alongside one of my colleagues and achieve something together.

"I'm grateful to everyone who has supported me in my first year within Swallow Lodge and Making Space as a whole. I wouldn't be able to succeed at work without the incredible team around me, from management to my fellow support workers, and I'm so proud to be part of a team that holds such strong values and passion for always improving. I can't wait to see what we can achieve for our service users and their families this upcoming year."

Support Worker Emma Appleyard said: "I was thrilled to win, but just being nominated was such an honour, so to receive the award was incredibly special. Knowing that my colleagues felt I was deserving of this recognition makes me very proud. I'm so grateful to be part of a team that encourages, supports and believes in me every day."

Service Manager and winner, Chris Hunter, added: "I was genuinely honoured to be involved and incredibly proud of all the winners. The team deserve so much credit for the work they do, driven by strong values, compassion and a real commitment to the people and families we support. Despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the current contract, they have remained focused on developing an outstanding service and creating the best possible experience for the people and families we support. These awards are thoroughly deserved and reflect the dedication of the whole team."

Phil Orton, Deputy CEO at Making Space, said: "To see four awards presented to colleagues from our Lincolnshire services is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the exceptional culture they have created. From outstanding leadership and teamwork to innovation, compassion and personal development, Chris, Emma, Isabella and Mollie truly represent the very best of social care. Their dedication makes a lasting difference to the people they support and their families every single day."

The awards ceremony brought together finalists, colleagues, volunteers, sponsors and guests from across the organisation to celebrate excellence in social care. The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of headline sponsor Ad Alta Consulting, alongside the individual award sponsors.

Together, the four awards recognise not only individual achievement but the outstanding culture that has been created across Swallow Lodge and Cedar House, where colleagues work together every day to help people live happier, more independent lives while providing invaluable support to families across Lincolnshire.

If you are looking for rewarding career where you can make a real difference, where you will be truly valued, explore opportunities at makingspace.co.uk.