Celebrating Our People | Shining Star Awards 2026

Recognising Excellence in Care Across We Care Group and Summit Care Group

There are moments in the year that truly capture what it means to work in care—and our annual Shining Star Awards is one of them.

Now in its third year, our much-loved awards ceremony brings together colleagues from across We Care Group and Summit Care Group to celebrate the compassion, dedication, and professionalism that define our approach to person-centred care.

This year’s event, hosted at the iconic Kimpton Clocktower in Manchester, welcomed more than 400 team members from across our nursing homes and residential care homes in the North and North West of England. It was an evening dedicated to recognising the incredible individuals and teams who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding care to our residents every day.

Recognising Excellence in Care

With a vibrant ‘showtime’ theme, the evening was a celebration of everything that makes our care services special—from dementia care and nursing care to residential and end-of-life support.

Across 13 award categories, we honoured those who consistently demonstrate excellence in care, champion dignity and independence, and create meaningful connections with residents and their families. Each nomination reflected the very best of what high-quality, person-centred care should look like.

Celebrating Our Shining Stars

We are incredibly proud of all our winners, whose hard work and compassion make a lasting difference across our care homes:

Santosh Shahi (Banksfield)

Harshani Daniel (Barnston Court)

Mia Evans (Ashbourne)

Grace Winstanley (Douglas Bank)

Rachael Harrison (Swansea Terrace)

Alan Potter (Beechcroft)

Chitra Jose (Tudor Bank)

Kosala Ranasinghe (Head Office)

Jayne Hughes (Woolton Grange)

Darren Wilkinson (Knowles Court)

A Special Recognition Award was presented to Zamry Ashik (Head Office) for their exceptional contribution, while Sowerby House Care Home was proudly named Care Home of the Year—a reflection of the team’s commitment to delivering outstanding care and support.

A Culture of Compassion and Quality Care

At We Care Group and Summit Care Group, we believe that exceptional care starts with exceptional people. Our teams are at the heart of everything we do—whether providing dementia care, nursing care, residential care, or specialist support for young mental health and palliative care needs.

As highlighted by our leadership team on the night, recognising and celebrating our staff is not just important—it’s essential. It reinforces the shared values that underpin our services and ensures we continue to provide safe, high-quality care across all of our homes.

Why Staff Recognition Matters in Care Homes

In the care sector, the dedication of staff directly impacts the wellbeing and quality of life of residents. Events like the Shining Star Awards help to highlight best practice, boost morale, and inspire continued excellence across our care homes.

From small everyday acts of kindness to life-changing moments of support, our colleagues make a difference in ways that truly matter. By celebrating these achievements, we strengthen our culture and continue to build environments where residents feel safe, valued, and at home.

Thank You to Our Teams

To everyone across We Care Group and Summit Care Group—thank you. Your commitment to delivering compassionate, person-centred care is what makes our homes so special.

Whether you work in nursing, residential, dementia care, hospitality, or support services, your contribution plays a vital role in creating positive experiences for our residents and their families.

We are incredibly proud of what we achieve together—and we look forward to another year of delivering outstanding care across the North West and beyond.

If you want to see what we got up to at our awards evening this year please watch the below video: