The awards are a national celebration of the outstanding individuals and teams who support people with learning disabilities and autism across the UK. This year’s shortlist recognises exceptional leadership, life-changing frontline care, and innovative support approaches at Cygnet Social Care, with nominations spanning multiple regions and categories.
Categories which have seen Cygnet Social Care staff shortlisted in include:
- The Amazing Manager Award – Celebrates Registered Managers who transform services and lives through exceptional leadership, ensuring care remains person-centred, safe and empowering.
- The Lifetime Luminary Award – Recognises individuals whose lifelong commitment has shaped the sector, influenced best practice, and created lasting impact for people with learning disabilities and autism.
- The Leading Light Frontline Leaders Award – Honours hands-on leaders who inspire teams, nurture talent and create positive, empowering support environments.
- The Joy Maker Award – Acknowledges individuals who generate joy, positivity, and emotional wellbeing by ensuring lives are filled with meaning, purpose and celebration.
- The Superstar Support Worker Award – Celebrates the frontline support workers who show exceptional compassion, adaptability, and commitment to enabling independence and dignity.
- The Dazzling Director Award – Recognises directors who combine strategic leadership with compassion, innovation and vision to shape the future of learning disability and autism support.
There are five finalists alone from Nightingale, a 10-bed residential service in Bournemouth. It is the largest group of finalists from a single Cygnet service.
Registered Manager Simon Coles has been shortlisted in the Amazing Manager Award (South) for his commitment to delivering safe, empowering and values-led support.
Simon said: “To be shortlisted is a tremendous honour. Leadership, to me, is entirely grounded in our values – Care, Respect, Empower, Trust and Integrity. My role is to ensure that every person we support feels safe, heard, and empowered.
“I am blessed to work alongside a truly exceptional team. Any recognition I receive is shared with them. Their dedication, resilience and unwavering kindness are what makes Nightingale the place it is.
“Being recognised alongside so many inspiring professionals is humbling. What matters most to me is knowing we are making a genuine difference to people’s lives, every single day.”
Kerry Morrel-Tourle, Deputy Manager, is shortlisted in the Lifetime Luminary Award.
She said: “This isn’t about me, it’s about every individual I’ve supported and every colleague who has shared that journey. I have been privileged to witness breakthroughs, celebrate achievements, and support people during their hardest moments.
“To be recognised for a lifetime of work in a field I care so deeply about is overwhelming. I am truly grateful.”
Team Leader Lianne Wood has been recognised in the Leading Light Frontline Leaders Award. She said: “Being shortlisted means the world, because frontline leadership is not about titles, it’s about standing beside your team, being present and ensuring that every person we support receives the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Activities Co-ordinator Georgia Grou is a finalist in the Joy Maker category for creating meaningful, joyful opportunities that enhance emotional wellbeing.
She said: “Every activity is a chance to make someone feel valued, included and happy. I believe joy is a powerful form of care. It builds confidence, connection and comfort. The fact that others see the impact of this work makes me so proud.”
Support Worker Blessing Ededho has been shortlisted in the Superstar Support Worker Award category for her exceptional compassion and person-centred support.
She said: “For me, being a support worker is not just a role, it is a privilege. I get to help people feel seen, heard and respected. I will treasure this nomination because it reflects the trust placed in me by the individuals and families I support.”
Simon added: “For one service to have five finalists is extraordinary, but not surprising. Every member of this team demonstrates what truly outstanding care looks like.”
Further to Nightingale’s success, Operations Director for the South West, Ben Caufield-Lawrence, has been shortlisted in the Dazzling Director Award category for his compassionate leadership.
He said: “I am incredibly honoured. I love this sector because every decision we make has a direct impact on someone’s quality of life. Leading services where people are respected, listened to and empowered is the most fulfilling part of my role.
“I am inspired every day by the teams I work with. This nomination is as much about them as it is about me.”
Registered Manager at Birches, Hayley Rogers, is celebrating being a finalist in the Amazing Manager Award (Midlands).
She said: “I am speechless to have even been nominated, never mind being selected as a finalist. I’m happy my work has been recognised by the people who have taken their time to nominate me for such an incredible award. I’m so lucky to have a job I love and have a great team around me. The best thing about my job is empowering others to achieve great outcomes for the individuals we support, seeing their smiles on activities and holidays gives me so much pride in the job we are all doing.”
She is joined in the same category by Emma Hodson, manager of Broughton House in Lincolnshire and Sophie Hill, manager of two services in Mansfield, Cherry Tree House and Pines.
Sophie said: “I am so appreciative to have been nominated for this award by my amazing team, I feel so grateful for their recognition to even be nominated for the award, but to become a finalist is incredible! My role as a manager is so much more than just a job to me, I get to work with the most incredible staff and residents on a daily basis and have the pleasure of being part of some amazing achievements in the process.
“I am so lucky to be part of such a great company and responsible for two incredible homes that produce outcomes with our residents that others didn’t think possible!”
Hope House in Hartlepool are also celebrating after support worker David Crick was shortlisted in the Superstar Support Worker Award (North).
His nomination highlights life-changing progress for a young man he supports, who has developed independence skills and confidence previously thought impossible.
Deputy Manager Alex Humphries said: “David’s calm, person-centred support changed everything. He built trust, confidence and skills that have transformed this young man’s future.”
David said: “To be recognised is a privilege. Every day I get to support people to achieve things they never thought they could, that is the greatest reward I could ask for.”
Gareth Williams, CEO of Cygnet Social Care, said he was proud to see so many staff gaining well-deserved recognition.
He added: “These nominations reflect the dedication of outstanding people who live our values every day. They represent the very best of social care and learning disability support – compassionate, skilled and driven by a belief in every individual’s potential.”
Well done also to Elizabeth Uhgu, Hospital Manager at Cygnet Bostall House, from our Health Care division, who has been shortlisted in the South region for the Amazing Manager Award, and said she was “honoured” with the recognition.
She added: “This recognition reflects not only my commitment, but the extraordinary dedication of my entire team.
“Together, we strive to promote dignity, empowerment, and inclusion, ensuring that people will support receive the high-quality care experience they deserve.
“I truly love working in my role as a hospital manager because I have the opportunity to influence lives at the moments that matter most. Being able to support the incredible teams who deliver exceptional care and ensuring they have what they need to succeed is deeply fulfilling. Every decision I make is grounded in the commitment to safety, dignity, and an outstanding patient experience.
“The best part of my job is witnessing the impact of our collective efforts, seeing patients recover, families supported, and staff empowered to provide the highest standard of care. It is a privilege to lead in an environment where compassion and excellence come together every day, and I am proud to play a role in shaping a hospital that truly makes a difference in the community we serve.”
The awards ceremony will take place on Friday 5 December 2025 at the Manchester Mercure Piccadilly Hotel and will be hosted by Traitors star and Mencap Ambassador Alexander Dragonetti.