Inspirational employees and volunteers from care homes in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire were celebrated at the Trust Recognition Awards 2025. The ceremony took place at Winkworth Farm, Lea, Malmesbury, earlier this month.

Over 100 guests attended the event including Dr Anton Borg LVO - Gloucestershire County Trustee. Dan Hayes OBE gave the opening address, Chief Executive, the Master of Ceremonies was Matt Jones, Divisional Director South, Awards were given out by Mark Everall, Chair of Trustees, Judy Wright MBE, DStJ, former OSJCT Trustee and members of the Senior Leadership Team.

The 2025 award winners are:

Exceptional Dedication to Caring Award

• Colette Laws, Night Care Leader, Chestnut Court, Quedgeley
• Kayleigh Woods, Head of Dementia Care, The Lakes, Cirencester

Outstanding Community Engagement Award

• Katie Cooper, Activities Co-ordinator, Watersmead, Westbury
• Gemma Joynes, Care Leader, Edwardstow Court, Stow on the Wold

The Empowerment Award

• Carol Wootton, Home Manager, Willowcroft, Salisbury
• Kerry Brooks, Deputy Home Manager, Edwardstow Court, Stow on the Wold

Unsung Hero of the Year

• Chris Walton, Handy Person, Avon Court, Old Sarum
• Katrina Fairs, Laundry Assistant, Goodson Lodge, Trowbridge

The Inspirational Leader Award

• Sherrie Lewis, Home Manager, Chestnut Court, Quedgeley
• Nicola Millar, Home Manager, The Lakes Care Centre, Cirencester

Making a Difference Volunteering Award

• Graham Webb, Volunteer, Ashwood Care Centre, Warminster
• Jill Harrison, Volunteer, Edwardstow Court, Stow on the Wold
• Kath Finch, Volunteer, Edwardstow Court, Stow on the Wold

Long Service Awards

Twenty-four employees were honoured with a Long Service Award, together achieving combined service of 585 years. 

Employees recognised for 20 years’ service:

• Lucy Ponting, Deputy Home Manager, Athelstan House, Malmesbury
• Ruth Jefferies, Activities Co-ordinator, Quedgeley, Chestnut Court
• Abigail Scratchley, Housekeeper, Hayward Care Centre, Devizes
• Elaine Webb, Night Support Worker, Hayward Care Centre, Devizes
• Tracey Preen, Support Worker, Hayward Care Centre, Devizes
• Debra Old, Carer, Millbrook Lodge, Brockworth
• Hannah Canning, Housekeeper, Ridgeway House, Wootton Bassett
• Amanda Warren, Care Leader, Rodley House, Lydney
• Diane Brown, Housekeeper, Rodley House, Lydney
• Heather Bartram, Carer, Rodley House, Lydney
• Sharon Turley, Night Care Leader, Rodley House, Lydney
• Tammy Raeburn, Peri Operations Area Manager, South Division

Employees recognised for 25 years’ service:

• Sherrie Rebbeck, Care Leader, Hayward Care Centre, Devizes
• Dawn Edgley, Cook, Marden Court, Calne
• Vera Haylock, Night Carer, Millbrook Lodge, Brockworth
• Lorraine Lancaster, Housekeeper, Rodley House, Lydney
• Sharon Spink, Night Carer, The Coombs, Coleford
• Pete Wilks, IT Applications Services Lead, South Division

Employees recognised for 30 years’ service:

• Tina Palframan, Carer, Ashwood Care Centre, Warminster
• Nicole Bassett, Carer, Jubilee Lodge, Bourton on the Water
• Helen Davis, Care Leader, The Coombs, Coleford
• Jane Russell, Carer, The Coombs, Coleford

Employee recognised for 35 years’ service:

• June Whiting, Kitchen Assistant, Ridgeway House, Wotton Bassett

Employee recognised for 40 years’ service:

• Alison Stenning, Home Manager, Watersmead, Westbury

The Chairman’s Commendation for Meritorious Service has been awarded to the following employees: 

• Sue Loton, Head of Dementia Care, Edwardstow Court, Stow on the Wold
• Nicola Crow, Administration Assistant, Watersmead, Westbury
• Natasha Adams, Head of Employee Relations and Engagement, South Division
• Tania Arnold, Learning and Development Advisor, South Division
• Louise Axtell, Private Collection Director
• Andy Wood, Area Operations Manager, South Division

Gemma Joynes, Care Leader, Edwardstow Court and winner of the Outstanding Community Engagement Award, said: “I’ve worked at OSJCT for 13 years and have been fortunate to attend Trust recognition events before, but this award means the most to me. I have a background in early years childcare and live locally to Edwardstow. In my role, I’ve been able to follow my passion for promoting intergenerational links and fostering community connections. I love speaking to children, teenagers and those early in their careers about our care home and encouraging them to cross the threshold to see for themselves what a lovely place it is to live, visit, or work.

“Thanks to a community connection, we’ll soon have around 30 young children practising their piano performances and playing for our residents.”