WARRINGTON-based health and social care charity, Making Space, has been shortlisted for three prestigious national Markel 3rd Sector Care awards.
The nominations include Dementia Care, Compassion, and Community Engagement, recognising the outstanding impact of The Connect Hub and Café Connect (formerly Warrington Day Service). These services provide safe, welcoming spaces where people from the local community can access information, advice, and emotional and practical support to enhance mental wellbeing.
The Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards, established in 2014, celebrate innovation and excellence in the not-for-profit care sector. These awards honour the dedication and impact of individuals and teams who transform lives, supporting both children and adults with care and compassion.
The Connect Hub and Café Connect, based in Warrington town centre, have been recognised for their exceptional commitment to fostering mental wellbeing, inclusivity, and community connection through innovative and accessible support services.
Making Space head of Wellbeing, James Bridgewater said: “We are delighted to have been nominated and to see our work recognised. Our goal is to improve the lives of those we support, and it is a privilege to help our community in the way we do. By meeting people’s needs early and providing support before they require more intensive services, we know we’re making a real difference and supporting our NHS colleagues from being overwhelmed.
“Whether it’s through our activities, the 12-week support programme, our groups and activities or sign posting people to trusted partners, we are committed to helping people overcome their challenges. Being nominated for this award is a great honour, and we deeply appreciate the recognition of our efforts.”
Based on Allen Street, the Hub and Café provide a welcoming, stigma-free environment where over 18s can access tailored mental health support, practical advice, and a variety of engaging community activities. The café serves as a social hub, offering nutritious, affordable meals and hosting initiatives such as the Chatty Café, which combats loneliness by encouraging meaningful conversations. Seasonal lunch and supper clubs further enhance the café’s role as a cornerstone of the community.
Making Space has also received two award nominations for its services in Doncaster.
Making Space, director of development, Keri Smith, said: “We are incredibly proud of all three of our nominations. The recognition for The Connect Hub and Café Connect highlights the dedication of our teams and the transformative impact we strive to achieve in the communities we serve. The refurbishment and development of the café is a shining example of our fundraising income, directly benefitting the local community, and providing paid employment opportunities for people with lived experience.
“Through strong partnerships with organisations like Warrington Borough Council and the National Lottery Community Fund, The Connect Cafe has continued to innovate and grow. Initiatives such as the Together Café project address challenges like the cost-of-living crisis, providing vital support to those in need.
“These nominations celebrate the essential work we do to develop community connection for people, inclusivity, deliver tailored support, and create safe, welcoming spaces that genuinely make a difference in people’s lives. It is an honour to work alongside our partners and communities to empower individuals and strengthen connections.”
The Connect Hub and the other finalists will find out whether they find out if they have won at a ceremony at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham in March.
These nominations are the latest in a series of successes for Making Space. Their services, colleagues, and initiatives have also been recognised with nominations for the upcoming Great British Care Awards in March and celebrated wins at the recent Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care (WAGS) Awards, where we took home the Third Sector Leader and Inspirational Volunteer awards.
You can find out more about Making Space, the Connect Hub and Chatty Café at makingspace.co.uk
