Warrington-based national social care charity Making Space has been named Care Employer of the Year at the North West regional finals of the 2025 Great British Care Awards (GBCA).
Held at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester in November, the award recognised the charity’s exceptional leadership, commitment to colleague wellbeing and strong focus on person-centred, inclusive care.
The award celebrates employers who deliver high-quality services through compassionate leadership, effective workforce development, and a culture where colleagues feel valued and able to thrive. Judges commended Making Space for its ambitious Recipe for Success strategy and Quality Plan 2025–2028, its Real Living Wage commitment, and its organisation-wide dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). They also highlighted the charity’s focus on co-production, continuous improvement and meaningful engagement with the people it supports.
As part of the organisation’s strong showing at this year’s awards, Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Lisa Coates-Peers, also based in Warrington, won the Putting People First Award for her exceptional commitment to personalisation, advocacy and inclusive practice.
Lisa exemplifies Making Space’s belief that people must be at the heart of everything. Alongside her clinical role, she acts as the service’s LGBTQ+ Champion and plays an active role within the organisation’s EDI Ambassadors Group, using her lived experience to shape more accessible and representative services. Her innovations include developing a non-verbal screening tool for neurodiverse clients and creating practical resources to help clinicians adapt support for people with long-term conditions.
Talking of her win, Lisa said: “Winning the Great British Care Award for Putting People First means so much to me. It reflects my belief that equity, equality, diversity and inclusion aren’t extras – they are the driving force behind truly compassionate care. I will keep using my role to challenge inequity, amplify unheard voices and help to create safe spaces and a service where everyone belongs.”
Making Space was shortlisted for 12 awards at this year’s regional GBCAs, reflecting the compassion and expertise shown across the organisation. The charity also celebrated several regional wins. In the North West, Kim Clibery and Heidi Francis, Support Worker Team Leaders from Hollymere Extra Care won the Housing with Care Award, while in Yorkshire & Humberside, Alan Taylor was recognised with the Unpaid Carer Award for his exceptional dedication. In the East Midlands, Senior Support Worker, Holly Turner from Swallow Lodge won the Care Newcomer Award, praised for the remarkable impact she has made within her first year in the sector.
Making Space CEO Rachel Peacock, added: “Being named Care Employer of the Year is an incredibly proud moment for us and a milestone in our organisational journey. It reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, to listening to lived experience, and to creating services shaped with and for the people we support.
Each of our regional winners represents the very best of Making Space. Their compassion, insight and dedication shine through in everything they do. Lisa’s award highlights the importance of our continued Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) journey and our commitment to building inclusive, person-led services where everyone feels they belong. I’m delighted to see all of their achievements recognised at such a respected level.”
All regional winners will now go forward to the GBCA National Finals in 2026 at the ICC, Birmingham.
Making Space provides care, support and wellbeing services for people living with mental health conditions, learning disabilities, dementia and complex needs, as well as for their families and unpaid carers. Find out more at www.makingspace.co.uk
