Warrington-based national social care charity Making Space is celebrating after its Chief Executive, Rachel Peacock, was once again named a finalist in the prestigious Social Care Top 30 for 2026.
The recognition follows Rachel’s success in 2025, when she was voted fourth overall, placing her among some of the most inspiring and influential leaders in the social care sector.
The Social Care Top 30 celebrates exceptional individuals whose leadership, innovation and dedication are making a lasting impact across social care, recognising those helping to shape the future of the sector and improve outcomes for people and communities.
Voting for this year’s Social Care Top 30 and runs until 1 October, giving people across Warrington and beyond the opportunity to show their support for Rachel.
The Top 10 finalists and overall Social Care Top 30 winner will be announced at an awards dinner at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square on Tuesday 13 October 2026.
Rachel joined Making Space in 2013 as Executive Director of Development, becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2017. She has 30 years of voluntary and community sector experience spanning community development, grant-making, commissioning, service management and business development.
Passionate about education and lifelong learning, Rachel champions innovation in social care and new ways of working that improve outcomes for people and communities. She is particularly committed to co-production and collaboration, ensuring people who draw on support help shape meaningful, sustainable solutions.
Increasingly, Rachel is also championing the importance of moving beyond inclusion to create environments and communities where people feel they truly belong.
Speaking about being named a finalist, Rachel said: “I’m incredibly proud to be named a finalist in the Social Care Top 30 for 2026. Social care is the best profession in the world – it’s about creating environments where people don’t just feel included, but feel they truly belong.
“Fairness, collaboration and co-production continue to guide my leadership, and this recognition reflects the incredible colleagues and people I have the privilege of working alongside every day. I want us to create places where everyone feels valued, heard and able to be themselves, because true inclusion is about more than being welcomed – it’s about belonging.”
Making Space is headquartered in Warrington and delivers social care services across England, supporting people with a wide range of care and support needs, as well as unpaid carers.
Following Rachel’s fourth-place finish last year, colleagues and supporters across Making Space will once again be getting behind her as voting opens for the 2026 awards.
Voting is open until 1 October 2026 at www.socialcaretop30.co.uk/poll/the-social-care-top-30-2026/. The Top 10 and overall winner will be announced on 13 October.
