Swanton Care is proud to celebrate the incredible achievement of Nzi Ahouzan, Nurse Lead, who has been named the National Winner of the Social Care Nurse Lead Award at the prestigious Great British Care Awards 2026.
The national awards recognise the very best in social care across the UK, celebrating individuals and teams who demonstrate outstanding commitment, compassion and innovation in their work.
For Nzi, hearing her name announced as the national winner was an unforgettable moment.
“It was a pinch-me moment,” she said. “I’m still surprised because all the nominees sounded amazing and just as deserving. To hear my name called as the national winner was unbelievable and deeply humbling. It felt like a massive validation of the hard work and a testament to the incredibly supportive team I have.”
Passion for Person-Centred Care
Nzi began her career with a clear purpose — to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Her personal experiences have also shaped her passion for advocacy.
“I started my career with a vow that I wanted to make a positive difference in at least one person’s life. Having neurodiverse family members gave me a unique lens of lived experience, which fuelled my passion for advocacy.”
Over the past six years, Nzi has worked across a range of social care settings. She chose social care nursing because it allows her to combine clinical expertise with advocacy for people who may otherwise struggle to have their voices heard.
“For me, social care is the perfect environment to combine my clinical skills with my heart for advocacy, ensuring that every individual’s voice is heard and their choices are respected.”
Nzi also credits personal influences for shaping her perspective on care.
“My faith, my son, and a book I read called The Girls in Room 314 helped me embrace neurodiversity and see it as an asset in my practice rather than a hurdle.”
Making a Real Difference
One of the examples highlighted during her nomination demonstrates the significant impact of her work. Shortly after joining Swanton, Nzi supported an individual who was being admitted to hospital almost every month.
Through careful observation and collaboration with healthcare professionals, she recognised patterns that led her to advocate for further investigation. This resulted in a diagnosis that ensured the individual received the appropriate priority care when admitted to hospital.
Nzi also developed a hospital discharge checklist to support teams from pre-admission through to discharge, helping ensure the right support is in place when individuals return home.
As a result of this work, the individual’s hospital admissions reduced dramatically — from twelve admissions a year to just one.
“Knowing that even a small, compassionate interaction can turn into a huge positive outcome is what keeps me passionate about the work I do,” Nzi explained. “Seeing someone thrive because they finally feel seen and heard is what makes me love my job so much.”
A Team Effort
While the award recognises Nzi’s achievements, she is quick to credit the team around her.
“I always say I’m holding the award, but it belongs to the team at Swanton. They are my backbone. Their constant encouragement and shared dedication to our service users made this possible. From my manager to the support workers, I really appreciate them all.”
The atmosphere at the national awards ceremony was one of celebration and pride.
“The energy was electric. Being in a room filled with people who dedicate their lives to caring for others was incredibly uplifting. It wasn’t just a party — it was a celebration of resilience and compassion, and I had the best time with my amazing team.”
Looking Ahead
Receiving this national recognition has reinforced Nzi’s passion for social care nursing and the difference it can make.
“It has taught me that my voice matters. It’s confirmed that social care nursing is where I’m meant to be, and there is so much room for innovation and growth within this sector.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue advocating for the people Swanton supports and encouraging others working within social care.
“Don’t be afraid to bring your heart to work. The system can be complex and challenging, but never lose sight of the fact that every life matters. Your ‘droplet’ of care is essential to the ‘river’ of change.”
Nzi is excited to continue developing her knowledge and building stronger links across healthcare and social care services to ensure people receive the best possible support.
“I want to continue bridging the clinical gaps in social care and advocating for service users’ voices. Our passion and determination to help people thrive is exactly what the healthcare world needs right now.”
Everyone at Swanton Care would like to congratulate Nzi on this fantastic national achievement — a well-deserved recognition of her dedication, compassion and commitment to making a real difference in people’s lives.
