Simply the Best: Belong Champions Revealed at Awards

As awards season gets underway with Oscars, BAFTAs, and Grammys making for many a headline, social care’s top talent has joined the party with its own glittering celebration – the annual Champion Awards hosted by leading dementia specialist, Belong, has celebrated the best amongst its villages and community care teams. Twelve accolades were handed out at the sparkling ceremony to its colleagues and volunteers from across the North West and West Midlands for exceptional performances supporting older people to live active and fulfilling lives.

What’s more, once again, its customers were front and centre of the initiative with their nominations determining the finalist shortlists, before a panel of independent judges determined winners with the results revealed at Manchester Hall.

Customers also had their creative juices flowing as they set about designing handmade ceramic trophies as part of a special competition. With Belong Wigan resident, Brian Cherrington’s submission emerging victorious, the awards were especially meaningful for winners. The Belong Champion Awards 2025 winners are:

- Newcomer Award: Alicia Nield-Spurrier, Belong Crewe - Be Your Best Mentor of the Year: Elaine Cooke, Belong Wigan - Leader Award: Emma Spurrier, Belong Crewe - Team of the Year: Tetley Household, Belong Warrington - Belinda Jones Dementia Champion of the Year: Jessica Murphy, Belong Crewe - End-of-Life Care Award: Nicola Davies, Belong Wigan - Care From the Heart Compassion Award: Laura Picton, Belong at Home Wigan - Volunteer Award: Eileen Allman, Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme - Respect for All Inclusion Award: Greenall Household, Belong Warrington - Community Engagement Award: Experience Team, Belong Wigan - Better Tomorrow Innovation Award: Emma Palin, Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme - Central Services Contribution Award: Suzanne Roberts, Central Services

Judges’ feedback lauded finalists, praising their dedication, passion and commitment, going ‘above and beyond’ for residents, as well as a person-centred approach to care, team spirit, and making ‘real difference’ in older people’s lives. Speaking of the event, Belong’s chief executive, Martin Rix, said: “Once again, our Belong Champion Awards have shone a spotlight on the incredible work happening day in, day out, across our villages and home care teams. It’s especially important to us to have our customers at the heart of everything we do, and they’ve embraced the opportunity to thank our dedicated colleagues.

“It really is people who ultimately create culture and make our organisation such a great place to live and work. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners.”

The ceremony came ahead of a busy year for the not-for-profit operator which is set to include the opening of its ninth care village, Belong Birkdale, and its corresponding home care service, Belong at Home Southport, bringing its award-winning dementia care to more people. The Belong Champion Awards 2025 was made possible thanks to sponsors: Allmanhall, boxxe, Browne Jacobson, carehome.co.uk, GHM Care, Lorne Stewart Facilities, Manchester Evening News, SB Waste, Search, Triangle PR.

More information about Belong can be found at www.belong.org.uk or by emailing enquiries@belong.org.uk

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