Thomas Henshaw Court care assistant wins top prize at national awards

We are delighted to announce that John Edmunds has won a national award at the Great British Care Awards, which celebrates excellence across the care sector.

John, a Care Assistant at Thomas Henshaw Court care home in Southport, received the Care Home Worker Award at the national final held in Birmingham on Friday 27 February.

The judging panel praised John, saying:

John began his career in care inspired by his own family experiences. Originally a painter and decorator, he wanted to do more meaningful work. He consistently went above and beyond for residents, teaching himself to cook their favourite meals, learning sign language, and leading work on the Veteran Friendly Framework to better support those who had served in the armed forces. A truly inspiring story.

The Great British Care Awards honours individuals who have gone the extra mile to improve the lives of residents in their care. This year’s national final brought together winners from 11 regions, including seven Anchor colleagues.

Ruth Bishop, Quality Care Advisor at Anchor, was also highly commended in the Workforce Development Award category. Judges described Ruth as someone whose “dedication, insight and encouragement make her an invaluable asset to any team.”

Dan Ryan, Anchor’s Executive Director of Care Services, said:

These are fantastic personal achievements and a reflection of the quality and dedication demonstrated by both John and Ruth. We are incredibly proud that they have been recognised nationally for their work, and as an organisation we remain committed to providing high-quality care and services to our residents. Massive congratulations must go to all seven Anchor colleagues who reached the national final - these are truly remarkable achievements.

Speaking about his win, John said:

I’m still in shock - I just can’t believe it! Winning the regional Care Home Worker Award was amazing, but winning the national final is absolutely incredible. I’m deeply honoured by what the judges said about my work at Thomas Henshaw Court. I love working there and every day is a delight, with the chance to bond with my colleagues and our residents. Working there is its own reward!

At Anchor, we value our colleagues, who enrich the lives of older people with compassionate, person-centred care. Their dedication helps shape the quality care we provide every day, and we support them with competitive pay, including the Real Living Wage, and opportunities for growth.

We’re always seeking passionate individuals to join us, whether you’re new to care or experienced. At Anchor, you’ll find a rewarding career where you can make a real difference. For more information on careers at Anchor visit here.