We’re pleased to share that Swanton Care has been awarded Community Group of the Year at the Fairway Awards, organised by Fairway Homecare, which celebrates excellence in health and social care recruitment, training and workforce sustainability.
Swanton Care has been named Community Group of the Year at the Fairway Awards — and our team in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin were delighted to attend the ceremony on behalf of the wider organisation.
Registered Manager Susan, Peripatetic Care Manager Zoe, and Scheme Managers Annabelle and Jade headed to the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham for the celebration. What they didn’t expect was to leave as winners!
“We were completely surprised — we thought we’d just been invited to enjoy the event, not to win anything!” Zoe shared. “It was such a wonderful shock and a very proud moment for all of us.”
The judges praised Swanton Care for its “person-centred care and support, empowering individuals with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, acquired brain injuries, and other complex conditions to lead independent and fulfilling lives.” They also highlighted Swanton’s commitment to its PRIDE ethos — Potential, Responsibility, Integrity, Diversity, and Empathy.
Reflecting on what made the win possible, Zoe said: “Winning this award is a real honour. It reflects our values in action — strong teamwork, a collaborative approach, and a relentless focus on providing the best possible support. Fairway even mentioned how impressed they’ve been by the way our managers communicate and the high standards we expect when agency staff are required.”
She added that the award also highlights how closely Swanton works with trusted partners: “We always aim to use our own staff, but when we do need additional support, we work with Fairway to make sure anyone stepping in understands the needs of the people we support. We don’t just accept anyone — we’re clear about the values and experience we need. It highlights how all of our Scheme Managers work, whether they use the agency or not — they work collaboratively for the people we support.”
The award was announced on stage by Baroness Floella Benjamin, adding a touch of nostalgia and excitement to the day. Susan had the honour of accepting the award — and was more than ready for her moment in the spotlight!
“Susan doesn’t often find herself lost for words, but this was one of those moments!” Zoe laughed. “We had joked about her putting on lipstick ‘just in case’ — and it turned out she needed it!”
When the team shared the news back home, they were met with a warm celebration.
“We told everyone at the Tenant’s Meeting — and it got a huge round of applause,” Zoe said. “It meant so much to share that moment with the people we support.”
Looking ahead, Zoe says the team will continue building on this success and strengthening partnerships that help maintain continuity and high standards of care.
“This isn’t just a win for us — it’s a win for every person we support. We’re proud to represent Swanton and proud to be part of something that puts people first.”
