The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has announced the winners of its inaugural Social Care Impact Awards, unveiled as part of SCIE’s annual Co-production Week, which celebrates the transformative power of co-production and lived experience in shaping better care and support.
Established to recognise outstanding individuals and teams, the awards recognise organisations across the country who are making a lasting impact through better outcomes for people who draw on care and support.
The awards spotlight innovation, high-quality co-produced practice, and effective partnerships between people with lived experience and care professionals in the sector. The awards seek to elevate the profile of those working in care and affirm their critical contribution to the lives of people up and down the country.
Kathryn Marsden OBE, Chief Executive of SCIE, said: “We are incredibly proud to celebrate the winners of the SCIE Social Care Impact Awards in what has already been a transformative year for co-production and the wider care sector. In social care, where work is often demanding and complex, recognition isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. These awards are about recognising the incredible work happening in our communities every day – work that is often unseen but deeply felt.
“The winners and finalists represent what’s possible when innovation, lived experience, and care come together. Their stories are powerful reminders of why we do what we do at SCIE. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Nominations were judged by a panel, including experts by experience, sector leaders, and practitioners. Entries were evaluated based on demonstrable impact, the meaningful involvement of people who use services, and the ability to inspire or influence wider change.
The response to the awards has been remarkable, says SCIE. Entries showcased a wide range of initiatives, from grassroots community projects to innovative workforce models, all driven by the belief that good care changes lives.
Micro Category Award winners, organisations with less than £10,000 income, include Tresacare with first prize, Chitter Chatter Club receiving the second prize, and third prize going to Inclusion GG.
The Treascare team said: “We’re incredibly grateful for this support – it allows us to stand by displaced care workers and invest in the wellbeing of those holding up our care system. In a time of crisis, it helps us turn urgency into action. This recognition is a vote of confidence in our mission to care for the people who care for others.”
Anne Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Chitter Chatter Club, commented: “I believe we’ve found one of many ways to help people recover from loneliness and isolation, by planting hope and reaching out worldwide. In just three years, 4,800 people in Dorset have benefited, with 73 percent reporting better confidence, mental health, safety, and connection to services, all from volunteers simply saying hi, being friendly, graceful and empathetic.
“With SCIE’s support through the Awards, we can raise awareness and inspire others nationwide to replicate models like the Chitter Chatter Club or Brew Crew. This low-cost, high-return approach could ease pressure on doctors, hospital beds, and even prisons.”
Small Category Award winners, organisations with less than £100,000 income, include Shaping Our Lives and ProActive Community taking the first prize, and Team2Gether Suffolk receiving the second prize.
Peter Beresford, Chair of Shaping our Lives, responded: “Shaping Our Lives is really pleased and proud to receive this award.
“Not only does it symbolise our efforts over the years as a user-led organisation to address issues of inclusion and diversity with equality, but it will also help enable us to take forward key work we are committed to, to support more inclusive approaches to the development of Artificial Intelligence.
“This is one of our priority areas for future work because AI seems to have fallen short in this area. The SCIE award provides a great opportunity to develop our skills and understanding.”
The Small Category Award was sponsored by the Rayne Foundation.
The ProActive Community team said: “Winning the SCIE Social Care Impact Award for small organisations is an incredible honour for the ProActive Community. As a small user-led charity, it means so much for our work to be recognised nationally.
“This award shines a light on the power of lived experience to drive real change. The prize of consultancy from SCIE will be instrumental in helping us refine our strategy and measure our impact more effectively. Most importantly, it gives our members — many of whom are autistic people and people with learning disabilities — the recognition and platform they deserve.”
Claire Cosgrove, SCIE’s Partnerships and Development Manager and one of the judges, reflected on the journey: “These awards feel like the start of something special. We’ve heard stories that are deeply moving, incredibly inspiring, and full of practical learning. It’s been a joy to witness how people and organisations across the sector are embedding co-production in real and meaningful ways.”
“The winners will receive tailored support from SCIE, including consultancy, access to training, and opportunities to collaborate with the SCIE team to further share and develop their work. This support aims to help scale their impact and inspire wider sector learning.”
Isaac Samuels, Trustee at SCIE, was recently awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in The King’s Birthday Honours List 2025.
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