From fostering 150 children to trekking the Great Wall of China, the personal and professional achievements of Agincare’s extraordinary people were celebrated in spectacular style as the family-owned care provider marked its 40th anniversary at its greatest-ever heroes awards.
Over 1,000 entries were received when nominations opened earlier this year, recognising team members’ incredible dedication to the lives of those they support, their families and communities across the country. Care workers and their guests gathered at the prestigious Chewton Glen Hotel in the New Forest to honour Agincare’s 6,000-strong workforce, with 11 awards presented to outstanding team members.
Here’s some of the highlights from the day…
Celebrating 40 years of Agincare
The festivities were extra special this year as Agincare marked four decades since Founder and Chairman Derek Luckhurst opened his first care home, Agincourt, in Weymouth in 1986. A heart-warming tribute video (below) celebrating Derek’s journey from opening a single care home in Weymouth in 1986 to building a national, family-owned care provider brought a standing ovation from guests. There was hardly dry eye in the house when Derek was presented with an Agincare Hero Medal by Chief Exrecutive Raina Summerson in recognition of 40 years of service to the organisation he founded.
Guests of honour included 15 long-standing members of staff, whose combined service to Agincare totalled 378 years of service. Agincare remains family-owned, with no external investment, and is committed to growing sustainably to deliver high-quality care and secure jobs in the communities it serves for many years to come.
The Will Mitchell Award for Outstanding Achievement – Kath Shayler
Care worker Kath Shayler picked up the Will Mitchell Award for Outstanding Achievement, named in memory of a much-loved team member who died young, and recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their community. Kath has spent over 30 years with Weymouth and Portland home care team, and alongside her career in care, she and husband Roy have opened their home to foster 150 children.
On receiving the award Kath said:
I cannot believe I have won the award. It recognises my 35 years of service with Agincare, my fostering of 52 years and MBE from the Queen. It’s absolutely fantastic and made me feel quite emotional, the day has been a wonderful experience, and I can’t thank everyone enough for the award.
Registered Manager of the Year – Lisa Edwards
Registered Manager of the Year winner Lisa Edwards (pictured below centre with her team) from Edgehill Care Home in Swindon trekked across the Great Wall of China to raise money for the hospice that cared for her late sister, raising more than £6,000. She also received award nominations from care home residents and their loved ones, as well as from colleagues across Agincare and professionals working for local authority and healthcare partners.
Chef of the year – Jerry Gonsalves
One of the event’s highlights was the video of a MasterChef-inspired cook-off hosted in the development kitchen of awards headline sponsor Brakes, with Jerry Gonsalves from Paternoster Care Home in Cirencester named as Chef of the Year at the ceremony. Watch our Chef of the Year finalists in action below:
Meet our winners…
From left to right: Row 1: Employee of the Year: Basit Salam, Orchid House Extra Care Team, Thirsk (Sponsored by Partner sponsor SEOMG). Nurse of the Year: Akema Mann, Tower Bridge Care Home in Southwark (Sponsored by Partner sponsor Howden). Registered Manager of the Year: Lisa Edwards, Edgehill Care Home in Swindon (Sponsored by Xeinadin)
Row 2: Support Service of the Year: Emily Fraher, Agincare Head Office Services, Portland (Sponsored by NH Maintenance). Jerry Gonsalves, Chef of the Year, Paternoster Care Home (Sponsored by Brakes). Care Team of the Year: Gorseway Park Retirement Village in Hayling Island (Sponsored by Blueleaf Care).
Row 3: Care Worker of the Year: Charlie Jarmin, Poole Home Care Team (Sponsored by Zenergi). Outstanding Leader of the Year: Joji Johnson, Devon Live in Care Team (Sponsored by Blue Frontier). Rising Star: Ella Henderson, Dorset Enable (Sponsored by Bates Office Services)
Agincare Hero Medal recipients
The Agincare Hero Medal is awarded to team members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in some special way, or excelled by making an outstanding difference to the lives of those they support.
From top left clockwise: Agincare Founder and Chairman Derek Luckhurst with Chief Executive Raina Summerson, Josephine Gray, Paternoster Care Home in Cirencester, Ruth Chick, Weymouth and Portland Home Care Team, Anna Belsham, Agincare Head Office Services, Portland and Rachael Hayward, Cheriton Care Home with Chief Operating Officer Andrew Needham. Not pictured: Lewis Miller from Peppercorn House Extra Care Scheme.
Find all the winners and more about the Agincare Heroes Awards 2026
Thank you to our sponsors
Thank you to all our sponsors for their generous support of the Agincare Heroes Awards 2026. As trusted partners of Agincare, their support is invaluable as we celebrate and recognise the exceptional dedication and excellence within our care and support teams nationwide.
- Headline Sponsor: Brakes
- Partner Sponsor: Howden
- Partner Sponsor: SEOMG
- Partner Sponsor: Zenergi
- Award Sponsors: Blueleaf Care, Xeinadin, NH Maintenance, Blue Frontier, Bates Office Services
Interested in sponsoring the Agincare Awards? Get in touch to arrange a call by emailing [email protected]