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Making Space Colleague Awards

Welcome to the Making Space Colleague Awards 2025.

The ceremony is taking place on Friday 12 September 2025 at The Edwardian Hotel in Manchester. We will be hosting our fourth ceremony of our annual awards for Making Space colleagues, apprentices and volunteers working across our charity.

The awards ceremony will be a special day that recognises and pays tribute to individuals and teams who inspire others, go above and beyond expectations and make a real difference to the lives of the people we support, carers and colleagues. We also recognise colleagues that have hit service milestones and those that have completed qualifications, along with our monthly Living our Values Awards winners from the previous year.

Last year winners were presented with their trophies at a ceremony held at The Edwardian Hotel in Manchester, with a keynote speech by motivational speaker Kat Thorne.

You can see the highlights from last year's ceremony in the below video.


About the awards:

  • There are 11 categories available for nomination which represent what our charity stands for, what we value and what we aspire to achieve.
  • Along with our 11 categories, we also have a very special award – The Jordan Carrington Kind Hearted Award – our much loved colleague Jordan will remain in our hearts as we recognise an individual or team that has truly lived our values.
  • All Making Space colleagues, volunteers and apprentices, as well as people we support and carers, can submit a nomination. Nominations will close on Friday 30 May.
  • A panel of judges made up of colleagues, volunteers and the people we support will review all nominations and will shortlist 3 finalists for each award category. All finalists will be invited to attend a virtual interview to discuss their nomination and will be invited to attend the awards ceremony in The Edwardian in Manchester to celebrate and find out who our winners are.
  • Finalists are invited to attend the awards ceremony with 1 guest, which can be a colleague, friend or family member along with your line manager.
  • Our monthly ‘Living our Values’ Awards winners are invited to join us at the awards ceremony for a special recognition, along with colleagues that have hit service milestones and those that had completed qualifications.

How to nominate:

  • Read the category descriptions carefully. 
  • Write a nomination saying why the person or team you are nominating should be considered and submit using our online nomination form.
  • All candidates will be shortlisted from your nomination, so please tell us as much as you can in up to 500 words - the shortlisting panel will not be able to judge from one sentence.
  • To help you write your nomination assume the judges know nothing and have never heard of your service or nominee. Let them know how your nominee has gone above and beyond, giving background information and providing facts that show their successes.
  • Finalists will be notified in June 2025.

Nominate now

All Making Space colleagues, volunteers and apprentices, as well as people we support and carers can submit nominations.

Every year, we receive a large number of nominations that unfortunately can't be shortlisted due to the lack of detail provided. To avoid this, and increase the chances of your nomination being shortlisted, please provide as much information as possible, including examples of events, care provided etc. to help support your nomination.

Wellbeing Hero Award

Awarded to an individual or team that has done something amazing, made a difficult time better for someone or reduced unnecessary stress for others. This includes how they show compassion and concern for the wellbeing of the people we support, carers or colleagues.

Community Integration Award

Awarded to an individual or team that has improved or enhanced the service provided by forging effective connections within their communities, developing relationships, overcoming barriers or by promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Inspiring Leader Award

Awarded to an individual that fosters a shared vision, they motivate and lead by example to ignite passion and commitment within their team. This includes ensuring everyone’s voices are heard, they create an environment where individuals feel a sense of belonging and enabled their team to achieve their goals.

Diversity & Inclusion Award

This award recognises a strong commitment to diversity through valuing everybody and recognising the importance that difference brings to our teams and services. This individual or team creates a safe and inclusive environment that helps foster a positive experience, through showing respect, openness and honesty.

Co-production Award

Awarded to an individual or team that have placed people into the centre of their care and support, working alongside them, their carers and professionals in equal partnership towards a shared goal.

Newcomer Award

Awarded to an individual who is new to their role and has made a significant impact upon their workplace. The individual will always be looking to learn and improve, be a team player and is passionate about providing a quality service.

Outstanding Contribution Award

Awarded to an individual that has made an outstanding contribution to our charity, their role or a wider contribution to the social care sector. This individual must have made an exceptional contribution, delivering outstanding care/work, acting as an inspiration to their colleagues and demonstrating our values in all they do.

Behind the scenes Award

Awarded to an individual, in a non-frontline facing role, that works hard to deliver above the expectations of others including the people we support, our services and internal customers - their great work makes it possible for everything to go smoothly for everyone else.

Learner of the Year

Awarded to an individual that has taken responsibility for their own personal development through embracing learning and development opportunities resulting in a positive impact upon their role, their team and the service they provide.

Volunteer Award

Awarded to an individual who selflessly and tirelessly gives up their time to help others and the service we provide to the people we support.

Team of the Year Award

Awarded to a team that has done the most to improve the quality of experience for the people we support/customers and/or colleagues, embracing teamwork, effective communication and makes best use of everyone’s skills.

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