A national health and social care charity has been nominated for three national awards.
Making Space, based in Dallam, is in the running for the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards in the categories of Dementia Care, Compassion, and Community Engagement.
The nominations acknowledge the work of The Connect Hub and Café Connect, both formerly known as Warrington Day Service.
These services offer welcoming spaces where community members can access information, advice, and emotional and practical support to boost mental wellbeing.
Established in 2014, the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards aim to celebrate innovation and excellence within the not-for-profit care sector.
They honour the commitment of individuals and teams who make a significant difference in the lives of children and adults, providing care and compassion.
The Connect Hub and Café Connect have been noted for their dedication to promoting mental wellbeing, inclusivity, and community connection through their creative support services.
James Bridgewater, head of wellbeing at Making Space, said: “We are delighted to have been nominated and to see our work recognised.
“Our goal is to improve the lives of those we support, and it is a privilege to help our community in the way we do.
“By meeting people’s needs early and providing support before they require more intensive services, we know we’re making a real difference and supporting our NHS colleagues from being overwhelmed.”
Located on Allen Street, the hub and cafe provide a stigma-free environment where those over 18 can access mental health support and practical advice.
The café doubles as a social hub, offering affordable meals and initiatives such as the Chatty Café, which aims to combat loneliness by encouraging meaningful conversations.
Further award nominations have been received for Making Space’s services in Doncaster.
The café is a social hub, offering initiatives such as the Chatty Café (Image: Supplied) Rosemary Stephen is up for the Compassion Award in recognition of her 30 years of dedicated community support, particularly for minority groups.
Janet Griffiths, leader of the Sandalwood Social Centre, is nominated for the Dementia Care Award, acknowledging her outstanding leadership in creating a supportive environment for individuals with dementia and their families.
Director of development at Making Space, Keri Smith, said: “We are incredibly proud of all three of our nominations.
“The recognition for The Connect Hub and Café Connect highlights the dedication of our teams and the transformative impact we strive to achieve in the communities we serve.”
She also praised the refurbishment and development of the café, which has been funded by fundraising efforts.
She said: “The refurbishment and development of the café is a shining example of our fundraising income, directly benefitting the local community, and providing paid employment opportunities for people with lived experience.”
The Connect Hub and other nominees will discover if they have won at a March 14 ceremony at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham.
The nominations add to a string of successes for Making Space, including nominations for the upcoming Great British Care Awards in March.
The charity also celebrated wins at the Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care (WAGS) Awards, where they took home the Third Sector Leader and Inspirational Volunteer awards.
To find out more about Making Space and their initiatives, visit their website.