(Published 23 June 2023)
On Tuesday 20th June, we celebrated our extraordinary workforce at the Agincare Heroes Awards 2023 held at The Manor House in picturesque Castle Combe, Wiltshire.
13 winners from our 4,000 strong workforce were nominated from those receiving care and their families, alongside health and social care professionals, colleagues and the general public.
The Agincare Heroes Awards pay tribute to our team members that have gone above and beyond in their roles or excelled by making an outstanding difference to people who draw on Agincare’s services.
Winners and their guests travelled from around the country to receive a specially designed trophy or hero medal, honorary certificate, as well as a bouquet and financial recognition from Agincare Founder and Chairman Derek Luckhurst and Chief Executive Raina Summerson.
From left: Agincare Founder and Chairman Derek Luckhurst, Care Worker of the Year Danielle Hooper and Agincare Chief Executive Raina Summerson,
Agincare Chief Executive Raina Summerson paid tribute to the inspirational winners:
“The awards celebrate the incredible work that Agincare teams do in the day in, day out, they are a credit to themselves and reflect the absolutely exceptional professionalism and dedication seen across the care sector as a whole.
“We received an absolutely incredible amount of nominations for team members in every Agincare service across the country from those who draw on our services and their loved ones, with those honoured receiving truly exceptional stories.”
There was love and laughter with tears of joy and sadness as awards host Adam Luckhurst announced the winners.
For the 2023 Agincare Heroes Award, ten additional categories were announced:
- The Outstanding Leader of the Year Award – WINNER Kinga Odendaal (Care Homes Area Manager)
- The Rising Star Award – WINNER Bohdana Spitalnikova (Peripatetic Registered Manager)
- The Apprentice of the Year Award – WINNER Alin Petrescu (Projects Area Manager)
- The Volunteer of the Year Award – WINNER Saffron Pearce (Edgehill Care Home)
- The Support Service of the Year Award- WINNER Training Now
- The Registered Manager of the Year Award – WINNER Craig Paget (Poole Registered Manager)
- The Customer Service of the Year Award – WINNER John Tourgout (Communications & PR Manager)
- The Care Worker of the Year Award – WINNER Danielle Hooper (Gorseway Care Home)
- The Care Team of the Year Award – WINNER Blenheim Care Home
The Agincare Hero category winners from left to right
The latter part of the ceremony saw Derek and Raina present the highest possible award, the Agincare Hero Medal, to three extraordinary people who have made such an impact on the lives of the people we support.
The first Agincare Hero Medal was presented to James Jannece from our Worthing home care service. James was praised for his kind nature, dedicated work ethic and boundless positivity. Sadly, James passed away at the at the age of 35 following a valiant battle with cancer. We were very privileged to have James’s fiancé Chloe, his mother Liz and Worthing Registered Manager Vicky-Ann Burrows with us to collect the award.
The second Agincare Hero Medal was presented to Jane Nash from our Rose Garden extra care service. Jane is already seen by many as a hero – all praise her selfless passion and dedication to those she and her team care for.
The third and final Agincare Hero Medal was presented to Amy Crabb, an Agincare stalwart that has been with the team for over eighteen years. Amy was recognised for her outstaning achievements in supporting and developing recruitment, training, employment and workforce growth, and ensuring good practise across all our services. 
From left: James’ fiancé Chloe, his mother Liz and Worthing Registered Manager Vicky-Ann Burrows; Rose Garden Deputy Manager Jane Nash; Agincare Group HR Manager Amy Crabb
From left: Adam Luckhurst, Kelly Nash, Ed Mitchell, Simon Luckhurst
The final award paid tribute to Will Mitchell, a cherished and long-standing member of the Agincare family that sadly passed away at the young age, with a special award in his honour.
The Will Mitchell Award for Outstanding Achievement was presented to Kelly Nash, a long-serving and valued member of the Agincare Home Care service whose extraordinary journey in care has inspired and moved countless people. Kelly started her career in Agincare as a care worker before making her way up to senior management position.
We were very honoured that Will’s brother Ed and his partner Victoria were able to present the award to Kelly.
Our Agincare Heroes 2023 winners!
Keep posted to the Agincare website for updates on Agincare Heroes Awards 2024!