Staffordshire Dignity in Care Awards 2025

Celebrating the awards eleventh year, we welcomed guests, their family members and work colleagues to recognise care services, teams and individuals who put dignity, respect, as well as quality care at the heart of everything they do.

The Dignity in Care Awards celebrates how important people working in carer are and highlights the opportunities for people to make a difference.

Jan Burns MBE and National Dignity Council Chair said:

 “I think it's fantastic that so many people give so much to dignity and go that extra mile. Whether you have your name on a trophy or not, you should be so proud to be nominated – you have delivered those services with kindness, respect and compassion. There was a room full of dignity champions this evening and I thank them all.”

Cllr Martin Rogerson, cabinet member for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, who presented some of the awards, said:

“It was a privilege to meet and present these inspiring people with their awards at what was our eleventh anniversary celebration. Carers do a truly wonderful job in caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and it’s important we recognise the vital work they do. There are thousands of carers across Staffordshire who put dignity at the heart of everything they do. Congratulations to all the winners, runners up and to everyone who was nominated this year.”

Our awards were presented by our special guests including:

• Cllr Martin Rogerson, Cabinet Member for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council
• Patrick Flaherty, Chief Executive, Staffordshire County Council
• Dr Richard Harling (MBE) is the Director of Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council.
• Jan Burns MBE, the National Dignity Council Chair
• Shirley Way, Head of Region for the Midlands and has worked at Skills for Care
• Heather Johnstone, the Chief Nursing and Therapies Officer for the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB)

Full list of winners and those highly commended include:

• Newcomer to Care Dignity Champion
  • Winner, Francesca Parsons
  • Highly commended, Samantha Simpson
• Long Service Dignity Champion
  • Winner, Karen Allen
  • Highly commended, Alison Lloyd
• Unpaid Carer Dignity Champion
  • Winner, Valerie Gough
  • Highly commended, Karen Emmen
• Palliative Care / End of Life Care Dignity Champion
  • Winner, Rebecca Redfern
  • Highly commended, Naline Lee and Emma Taylor
• Care Home Dignity Champion
  • Winner, Michelle Wooding
  • Highly commended, Anna Majkut
• Community Service Dignity Champion
  • Winner, Sandra Rawlings
  • Highly commended, Patrick Aitanke
• Registered Manager Dignity Champion
  • Winner, Sarah-Jane Harrison
  • Highly commended, Jomy Joy
• Specialist - Clinical Skills
  • Winner, Andy Fairman
  • Highly commended, Keeley Woolridge
• Special Recognition
  • Winner, Rebecca Redfern

The ceremony was held at Staffordshire County Showground on Thursday 17 July 2025.