Awards
Awards by Year
“ At Peninsula Care, we know it takes an extraordinary kind of person to work in health & social care. Every day, people across the sector dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others, yet they don’t always get the recognition they deserve.
That’s why, in 2014, our director Jonny Cook launched the Heart of Peninsula Care Awards: a special annual ceremony designed to celebrate the incredible people working in care, not just within Peninsula Care, but throughout the entire industry.
Jonny firmly believes that everyone who plays a part in delivering care, from nurses and carers to administrators, managers, and activity therapists, deserves to be acknowledged for their hard work and compassion. The awards include categories such as Care Home Manager of the Year, Nurse of the Year, Carer of the Year, and Activity Therapist of the Year, giving colleagues, service users, and families the chance to nominate those who make a real difference every day.
We’re proud to also involve our own service users in the nomination process, giving them an opportunity to share feedback about the staff who support them. Even if a nominee isn’t shortlisted, we know that hearing positive feedback and appreciation can make a huge difference to a care worker’s day-to-day role, reinforcing just how valued they are.
The highlight of the evening is the presentation of the most prestigious accolade of all: the Overall Heart of Peninsula Care Award, which recognises the individual who has truly gone above and beyond in their role, embodying the spirit of selflessness, dedication, and care.
On this page, you can scroll through a timeline of past awards, view photos of previous winners, and see the full list of those who have been honoured over the years.
Because at the heart of Peninsula Care and of our entire industry, are the people who care.”
Thank You To Our Awards Sponsors
Heart of Peninsula Care Awards 2014
The Heart of Peninsula Care Award is one of the most meaningful honours within the organisation, as it recognises those who truly embody the values of compassion, dedication, and care. In 2014, this award was given to celebrate an individual whose daily actions went far beyond their role, consistently showing kindness, empathy, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of those they support.
This award is not based on statistics or targets, but on the heartfelt nominations from colleagues, clients, and families who witness the impact first-hand. The 2014 recipient was praised for their selflessness, positivity, and unwavering support — qualities that reflect the very spirit of Peninsula Care.
By shining a light on such individuals, the Heart of Peninsula Care Award reminds us all of the importance of people-centred care, and the value of small acts of kindness that leave a lasting impress.
Giraffe of the Year Award
Leah Campbell ( Community Care Worker)
Leah joined our team back in January 2012 and at first was a shy and quiet young lady. Over this time we have seen such a growth in her confidence which we are extremely proud of.
Leah has worked on both double and single runs when she first started and quickly became familiar with all of our clients. On monitoring visits to our clients they were able to tell me that Leah is well thought of and completed little tasks that were not necessarily on the care plan like making sure that the curtains in the living room were pulled. The clients all felt that she goes the extra mile for them. Leah is a much valued member of our team and we are extremely pleased that she is currently studying her QCF Level 2 Award in Health & Social Care within our Training Academy.
Leah collected a trophy, lapel badge and retail gift voucher on the night from Britain’s Got Talent star Jordan O’Keefe.
Leah states loves working with her clients and feels that she is very well supported by the office.
CCW Giraffe of the year Leah Campbell (left) pictured with colleague Pat Andrews.
Lailia began her journey with us in January 2014. She decided that the New Year was time for a New Start. Lailia works within our Nursing Agency team and was given a Giraffe Award throughout the year from her commitment, dedication and loyalty to the organisation.
Lailia works a variety of shifts in various Nursing Homes and is a “favourite” in many of them. Our clients also would self book shifts with her directly which shows their enthusiasm to have her back in their home,
Unfortunately Laila was unable to attend the awards evening as she was working. It just shows she was a worthy winner.
Tomasz Szcepanick ( Health Care Assistant)
Tomasz joined our team in February 2014 and immediately became a favourite of our clients. Tomasz previously had worked for a similar organisation in England before making the move to Northern Ireland. Tomasz works for the organisation in a variety of nursing and residential homes with various client groups and also has taken on the role of Senior Health Care Assistant within some of our residential clients settings.
Tomasz is extremely hard working and dedicated to his role and Peninsula Care and often goes that extra mile when covering shifts to suit the needs of the client.
Tomasz is a great ambassador for Peninsula Care and is now passing on his caring influences to his son who has also joined our team working in the role of Community Care Worker.
Tomasz Szczepanik, our HCA Giraffe of the year (centre).
Clients Choice Awards
Madison McConnell (CCW)
Madison initially joined our Recruitment Agency in January 2014 as a Health Care Assistant and completed a variety of assignments. After a while of completing temporary assignments Madison decided that she wanted something more permanent. This we were able to offer her in our Care at Home department.
Madison now is able to work on a part time permanent rota in the community and is very popular with service users. Madison also works a part time block booking within a day care hospice setting.
A hit with her patients some of them have commented:
“Madison makes me feel like I mean something to her, I feel respected and worthy of her respect for me. She always can bring a smile to my face and makes me feel at ease when I need her help with my personal care”
Judges were impressed with her nominations and commented that it appeared she went the extra mile which is something Peninsula Care try and do for all their clients and service users. She had a cheerful nature and has the ability to connect with her clients.
Madison collected a trophy, lapel badge and retail gift voucher on the night. She continues to work full time as part of our team in both areas of the business and has commenced work on her QCF Level 3 Award in Health & Social Care within our Training Academy.
Client Choice Award Winner – Madison McConnell pictured with Jordan O’Keefe, and Julian Simmons
Sarah Price Stephens (HCA)
Sarah joined our team back in April 2013 to gain experience whilst studying nursing at University. Sarah has a “bubbly” personality which makes her ideal when working with service users with a Learning Disability. Described by our client as “a breath of fresh air, professional and child focused” is the reason our judging panel were impressed.
Sarah sadly could not be with us on the evening to collect her trophy, lapel badge and retail gift vouchers but once she knew she was a finalist she commented, ‚I am so honoured to have been nominated, never mind be a finalist. I feel very lucky to be able to work with some very special people and I truly love every minute of the time I spend with them. It is such a privilege to be able to do a job that I love.
Sarah continues to complete her training to become a Learning Disability nurse which we know will be a great day for the profession.
Client Choice Award Winner – Sarah Price Stephens pictured at out recent First Aid training session.
Newcomer of the Year
Nichola Hamilton
Nichola joined our team approximately 8 months before being crowned “Newcomer of the Year”. After a period of time raising her children and caring for her grandmother she realised how much she enjoyed the caring role. After deciding to bite the bullet and try caring as a career Nichola joined the team. Very keen during her induction and mandatory training Nichola had plenty to offer Peninsula Care.
Nichola works within the Care at Home department as a Community Care Worker in the Bangor area. She is always keen to help us in the office when other members of the team are sick and also keeps us informed in any changes with her service users.
Service users she regular visits all have positive things to say about Nichola and all enjoy her evening visits.
Judges comments said that her kindness, hit with patients and work ethic shows that she works hard for Peninsula and is very conscientious.
Nichola picked up a trophy, lapel badge and a voucher for The Parlour Bar and Restaurant, Newtownards.
Nichola continues to work on the twilight shift and is now working on her QCF Level 2 award in Health & Social Care within our Training Academy.
Newcomer Winner -Nichola Hamilton pictured with Director Jonny Cook and UTV’s Julian Simmons.
Heart Of Peninsula Care Awards
The Overall Heart of Peninsula Care Donna Gray, Senior Community Care Worker following her win of the “Unsung Hero” award was also given the title of the Heart of Peninsula Care. Donna joined our team back in January 2012 as a Community Care Worker and after 2 years working in post with her NVQ level 3 applied for the part time internal promotion to Senior Care Worker. Donna has been described by both staff and service users as “a breath of fresh air”. Donna is married to husband Colin and mother to two children, one of which she was able to share the awards night experience with. In her daily role she provides hands on care and support to service users living in their own homes, completes part time office hours coordinating rotas and liaising with health care professionals on behalf of our service users. Donna also acts as a mentor for junior staff in providing one to one training and support with any queries they may have. Donna has a caring nature and her genuine passion and commitment to her role and the organisation can easily be seen each day she is on duty. The judging panel stated that her nominations proved that she was “a hit” with both the staff and clients alike. Donna was presented her award by Britain’s Got Talent Finalist Jordan O’Keefe. Also pictured above is Director and creator of the Heart of Peninsula Care Awards Jonny Cook and host UTV’s Julian Simmons. A very emotional Donna stated, ” I was totally overwhelmed when I won the awards, especially the overall award and a holiday to Gran Canaria with jet2.com. I’ve never been abroad before, so this is a real treat. I will have to get my passport sorted.” She went on to say ” Christmas has come early for me. My husband Colin, daughter Chelsea and son Barry are all so proud of me. Its such a great feeling. “ Director, Jonny Cook said ” I was extremely happy with the judging panel’s decision as I leapt to my feet joining the rest of the audience in their standing ovation for Donna. Donna is a very hard working person and a very deserving winner. “ Donna continues to work in her varied role and is now pursuing a Level 5 qualification in Health & Social Care.
Overall Heart of Peninsula Winner Donna Gray pictured with Jordan O’Keefe, Jonny Cook, and Julian Simmons.
Heart of Peninsula Care Awards 2015
OVERALL HEART OF PENINSULA CARE – Rosemary Watson
Rosemary Watson from Bangor has won the prestigious ‚Heart of Peninsula Care Award‚. These awards, the brainchild of Jonny Cook MD of Northern Ireland‚ leading domiciliary care, nursing and recruitment agency, took place in the Tudor Tavern in Newtownards with UTV‚ Julian Simmons as compere, comedian Gene Fitzpatrick and singer Conor Scott from BBC‚ The Voice providing the entertainment. These, the second annual awards, acknowledge and reward the company‚ staff and clients. Rosemary Watson, a 54 year old office administrator with Peninsula Care Services says; “I joined Peninsula Care Services only two years ago and already feel part of their family. I was still coming to terms with winning the ‚Outstanding Achievement‚ award earlier in the evening when it was revealed that I also won the big overall award. To be honest, I’m still in shock. It is an absolute honour and all my family are so proud. I’m looking forward to booking my holiday now, with the voucher I won as part of my prize and my trophies have pride of place on my mantelpiece.” Jonny says; “Rosemary is a delight to work with and keeps everyone on their toes. She’s like my boss too, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and no job is too big or too small for her. She definitely is the deserved winner. These awards highlight how my staff’s ordinary day to day job makes an extraordinary difference to those in their care. Peninsula Care Services wouldn’t be the leading domiciliary care and nursing recruitment company in Northern Ireland and multi award winning care organisation if it wasn’t for my 180 strong staff, many of whom have worked with me since the conception of the company seven years ago.
Outstanding Achiever and Overall Heart of Peninsula Care Rosemary Watson pictured with UTV’s Julian Simmons and local star of BBC The Voice Conor Scott.
Lynn Groves – The Heart of Peninsula Care 2016
Last Friday (4th November), saw an evening of glitz and glamour at our third Heart of Peninsula Care Awards ceremony. An idea from our Director, Jonny Cook to enable those using our service to pay tribute and reward the ordinary people with an extra ordinary talent.
A busy week for Jonny paid off as finalists and their guests were treated to a drinks reception, followed by a mouth watering three course meal whilst being entertained by The Irish Magician, Rod Hogg.
Following our meal UTV favourite Julian Simmons took to the stage to host our Awards Ceremony.
Our Heart of Peninsula Care 2016 was crowned as Community Care Worker, Lynn Groves who also picked up the award for Client Choice, presented by Belfast Giants star Mike Forney. A category she had been nominated in by three of her service users all commenting how much she meant to each of them.
Lynn picked up her trophy, lapel badge to display on her uniform and a £200 Thomas Cook voucher.
Lynn has worked for our organisation for now two years and is a valued member of the Care at Home team. She has been known to bake biscuits for her service users and there has been word of a Christmas Trifle that does its rounds. Lynn is highly though of by our team and also those she provides care for and is a very deserving winner for this title.
The Heart of Peninsula Care 2017
Friday 3 rd November 2017 saw the fourth Heart of Peninsula Care Awards at the Marine Court Hotel, Bangor. This years glitz and glamourous evening was hosted by UTV’s Pamela Ballantine and saw Peninsula Care recognise the best in talented Nurses and Carers employed by the organisation but each finalist received a certificate acknowledging the achievement of being shortlisted to the final with those winners picking up a highly sought after Heart of Peninsula Care trophy. Following formal proceedings everyone had the chance to celebrate and enjoy the party atmosphere created by live band “Peach”.
Full list of winners:
Heart of Peninsula Care 2018 – A Winners Story
Doreen Bingham, Registered Manager
Doreen joined the firm back in 2015 having managed Nursing homes for the previous 12 years after deciding she wanted a new challenge. Doreen a nurse from Newtownards began her training in Ards Hospital two months after leaving secondary school back in the days where Nurses had to live within the hospital grounds. Throughout her training and working in surgical wards and theatres throughout “the troubles” she has encountered many a catastrophe.
Doreen at Peninsula Care works in the role of Registered Manager where she implements day and daily the mission statement of the Company as well as ensuring her team of Nurses and Carers are trained in all mandatory areas and ensuring they deliver the best possible care to our service users thus ensuring they have a positive Peninsula Care experience.
What makes her the heart of Peninsula Care though, that’s easy. The judging panel were able to see from her nomination that she displays a lot of loyalty to the organisation and “eats, breathes and sleeps” the goings on at Peninsula Care. She often wakens up or when retiring at night to bed comes up with an idea that will improve practice or an operational task within the office and is ready come 9am to inform the others in her management and office team.
Director of Peninsula Care Jonny Cook commented, “the judging panel have really picked the best person to win this title of being the heart of Peninsula Care. Heart and emotion are important to us within our company, that’s why it is even in our logo as we want to make it obvious how important it is. Doreen is the same, she has a great heart, and this is obvious when you can see her at work with both staff and service users.”
Heart of Peninsula Care Awards 2018
The Heart of Peninsula Care Awards 2018 celebrated the outstanding efforts of our team across the organisation. This annual event shines a light on those who go above and beyond in their roles, showing dedication, compassion, and professionalism. Each award presented acknowledges the valuable contributions made to the care and wellbeing of our service users.
Full list of winners:
The Heart of Peninsula Care Awards 2019
Friday 8th November 2019 at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.
Last Friday, local company Peninsula Care celebrated the achievements and commitment of those in their team and rewarding the many dedicated companies and hard working people they work with to strive to make a difference and inspire others at their annual Heart of Peninsula Care Awards.
While best practice in the care home setting and indeed Peninsula Care is important, staff are an integral part of these awards. Peninsula Care set out to recognise the work and expertise of Managers, Nurses and a range of other health care professionals to include innovation, training and the best in patient care.
Full list of winners:
Heart Of Peninsula Care Awards 2020
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown, we sadly had to cancel our Heart of Peninsula Care Awards 2020. While this was a difficult decision, it was essential to follow public health guidance to keep the community safe. Most importantly, it allowed us to protect our staff so they could continue their vital work caring for those who are most vulnerable.
Heart Of Peninsula Care Awards 2021
The Heart of Peninsula Care Awards looked a little different this year. Due to social distancing and COVID-19 guidance, we hosted a low-key celebration at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast, where our winners enjoyed a special lunch with a guest while maintaining safe practices. The highlight of the day was the announcement of our overall winner, George Black, our Finance Manager. George has been with Peninsula Care for 10 years and was also honoured with the Unsung Hero Award. Throughout his decade of service, George has been the backbone of our finance department, ensuring staff are paid accurately, clients are billed efficiently, and operations run smoothly. His dedication, professionalism, and quiet commitment have made him an invaluable asset to the team, and we are proud to crown him the Heart of Peninsula Care 2021.
The Heart of Peninsula Care Awards 2022
Friday 28th October 2022 at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.
Last Friday, local company Peninsula Care celebrated the achievements and commitment of those in their team and rewarding the many dedicated companies and hard working people they work with to strive to make a difference and inspire others at their annual Heart of Peninsula Care Awards.
While best practice in the care home setting and indeed Peninsula Care is important, staff are an integral part of these awards. Peninsula Care set out to recognise the work and expertise of Managers, Nurses and a range of other health care professionals to include innovation, training and the best in patient care.
Full list of winners:
The Heart of Peninsula Care Awards 2023
Friday 20th October 2023 at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.
On 20th October, local company Peninsula Care celebrated the achievements and commitment of those in their team and rewarding the many dedicated companies and hardworking people they work with to strive to make a difference and inspire others at their annual Heart of Peninsula Care Awards hosted by U105’s Frank Mitchell.
While best practice in the care home setting and indeed Peninsula Care is important, staff are an integral part of these awards. Peninsula Care set out to recognise the work and expertise of Managers, Nurses and a range of other health care professionals to include innovation, training and the best in patient care.
Full list of winners:
The Heart of Peninsula Care Awards 2024
Friday 11th October 2024 at La Mon Hotel & Country Club
On 11th October, local company Peninsula Care celebrated the achievements and commitment of those in their team and rewarding the many dedicated companies and hardworking people they work with to strive to make a difference and inspire others at their annual Heart of Peninsula Care Awards hosted by U105’s Frank Mitchell.
While best practice in the care home setting and indeed Peninsula Care is important, staff are an integral part of these awards. Peninsula Care set out to recognise the work and expertise of Managers, Nurses and a range of other health care professionals to include innovation, training and the best in patient care.
Full list of winners:
The Heart of Peninsula Care Awards 2025
Friday 3rd October 2025 at La Mon Hotel & Country Club
On 3rd October, local company Peninsula Care celebrated the achievements and commitment of
those in their team and rewarding the many dedicated companies and hardworking people they
work with to strive to make a difference and inspire others at their annual Heart of Peninsula Care
Awards hosted by U105’s Frank Mitchell.
While best practice in the care home setting and indeed Peninsula Care is important, staff are an
integral part of these awards. Peninsula Care set out to recognise the work and expertise of
Managers, Nurses and a range of other health care professionals to include innovation, training and
the best in patient care.
Full list of winners:
Highly Commended: Margaret Close, Northfield House
Highly Commended: Beverly Lodge Nursing Home
Highly Commended: Emmanuel Edeh, Kingsland Care Centre
Highly Commended: Mary McCoy, Oakmont Lodge Care Home
Highly Commended: Lucy Hamilton, Hamilton Private Nursing Home
Highly Commended: The Peninsula Care Home
Recognised by Leading Industry Bodies
