Inspirational employees and volunteers from care homes and extra care housing (ECH) in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire were celebrated at the Trust Recognition Awards 2025. The ceremony took place at Cogges Manor Farm, Witney, Oxfordshire, earlier this month (16 October).

Over eighty guests attended the event. Dan Hayes OBE, Chief Executive, gave the opening address, and Master of Ceremonies was Renata Crisostomo, Divisional Director. Awards were given out by Mark Everall, Chair of Trustees along with members of the Senior Leadership Team.

Candidates for the Trust Recognition Awards were nominated by colleagues, residents, and friends of care homes. Nominations were judged by a panel and finalists invited to the awards, where winners were presented with trophies. 

Dan Hayes said: “In a world that is changing rapidly, largely for the better, being able to keep up with the change and make the most of it is essential. At the Trust, we are doing just that - with our investments in technology, our buildings, and our people. But these things only ever work when talented colleagues are willing to go out of their way to learn and then put their learnings into practice. It is an honour for me to be in the same room as such an amazing group of people.”

The 2025 award winners are:

Exceptional Dedication to Caring Award

• Mariana Cavalenco, Housekeeper, The Meadows, Didcot

Outstanding Community Engagement Award

• Jade Wise, Activities Co-ordinator, Larkrise Care Centre, Banbury

  

The Empowerment Award

• Louise Allen, Home Manager, Longlands, Oxford

Unsung Hero of the Year 

• Jason Kirkup, Carer, Henry Cornish Care Centre, Chipping Norton 

The Inspirational Leader Award

• Laura Beadle, Home Manager, Henry Cornish Care Centre, Chipping Norton

  

Making a Difference Volunteering Award

• Wendy Tate, Volunteer, Monkscroft Care Centre, Cheltenham

Long Service Awards

Nineteen employees were honoured with a Long Service Award, together achieving 500 years of service. Some of those named below attended the Trust Recognition Awards event.

Employees recognised for 20 years’ service:

• Joanna Dixon, Activities Co-ordinator, Lake House, Adderbury
• Linda Gibson, Housekeeper, Larkrise Care Centre, Banbury
• Caroline Willis, Westgate House, Wallingford
• Louise Bland, Carer, Isis House, Oxford
• Anita Stock, Peri Chef, Central Division

Employees recognised for 25 years’ service:

• Debbie Lancaster, Carer, Marston Court, Oxford
• Jemima McKenna, Housekeeper, Larkrise Care Centre, Banbury
• Patricia Brain, Assistant Cook, Henry Cornish Care Centre, Chipping Norton
• Sarah Wilkins, Kitchen Assistant, Westgate House, Wallingford
• Timothy Smith, Cook, Grevill House, Cheltenham
• Sarah Sweeney, Carer, The Meadows, Didcot
• Maria Christina Devine, Care Leader, Marston Court, Oxford
• Ruth Knights, Care Leader, Lake House, Banbury
• Padmaja Surendralal, Chef, Monkscroft Care Centre, Cheltenham

Employees recognised for 30 years’ service:

• Harbhajan Ram, Carer, Marston Court, Oxford

Employees recognised for 35 years’ service:

• Emma Cottle, Administration Assistant, Langford View, Banbury
• Susan Pring, Carer, Spencer Court, Woodstock
• Julie Ritson, Carer, The Meadows, Didcot

Employees recognised for 40 years’ service:

• Patsy Just, Divisional Director, Operations Centre

The Chairman’s Commendation for Meritorious Service has been awarded to the following employees, some of whom attended the Trust Recognition Awards event: 

• Marissa De La Cruz, Senior Nurse, Monkscroft Care Centre, Cheltenham
• Megan Humphries, Activities Co-ordinator, The Meadows, Didcot
• Skylar Wiggins, Care Leader, Thame, Meadowcroft

Congratulations to all of our award winners.

Comments from some of the Award winners:

Winning the Inspirational Leader Award means so much to me. Being recognised for what I do isn’t something I expect, but it’s something I deeply appreciate and accept with great pride and humility. Our work is incredibly fulfilling every day - to receive an award for it is truly the icing on the cake.

The Trust Recognition Awards celebrate and recognise the incredible dedication shown by teams who work tirelessly every day of the year to achieve positive outcomes for those in our care. It serves as a powerful reminder that although we work across different services, we share a common goal - to uphold Trust values and make a meaningful difference in every role and decision we undertake.

Laura Beadle, Home Manager, Henry Cornish Care Centre, Chipping Norton, and winner of the Inspirational Leader Award

I feel very honoured and proud that people took the time to nominate me for an award, let alone be selected as a finalist and then a winner. It's so lovely to know that people think I do such a good job. Going to the awards is a special occasion for anyone that gets the chance to go. I enjoyed meeting others and celebrating the hard work that everyone puts in.

Jade Wise, Activities Co-ordinator, Larkrise Care Centre, Banbury, and winner of the Outstanding Community Engagement Award

I don’t do my job for awards, I do it because I care about my residents and team members as they are the most important thing to me, ensuring they are happy, content and fulfilled in life. I attended the Awards with two colleagues from Longlands who were recognised for achieving training qualifications. I am extremely proud of all their hard work and dedication.

Louise Allen, Home Manager, Longlands, Oxford, and winner of the Empowerment Award