Some of the things that make the biggest difference in our homes are the easiest to overlook. A colleague who knows just how to put someone at ease. A favourite biscuit found, a wish listened to, a helping hand offered without being asked. The Meallmore Colleague Awards are our chance to stop, recognise those contributions and say a heartfelt thank you.
On Wednesday 28th October 2026, we came together at Dunblane Hydro to celebrate our winners, finalists and long-serving colleagues. From emerging talent to experienced leaders, from the kitchen to the care team, the day recognised the people whose contributions help make Meallmore great places to live and work.
There were 14 category winners, a special Chairman's Award for Bruce Mason, and recognition for colleagues marking 20, 25 and 30 years of service. Behind every award was a story about people: residents, families and colleagues, and the relationships that matter to them.
Explore the winners and their stories below, visit our Meallmore Colleague Awards 2026 page for the full results, or enjoy the gallery from the day.
Our 2026 award winners
The nominations shared for this year's awards gave us a wonderful picture of life across Meallmore. They celebrated practical skill, kindness, teamwork and the personal touches that help residents feel known and colleagues feel supported. Here are the winners, with the contributions recognised in the ceremony.
Emerging Talent Award
Katie Tyson - Greenan Manor
Katie has grown in confidence and taken on senior responsibilities at Greenan Manor, supporting her team while keeping residents at the centre of her work. She also shares her skills as a Moving and Handling Trainer. Her care shows in the personal touches, from finding someone's favourite biscuits to supporting special birthday outings. New colleagues have benefited from her encouragement, and residents know they can count on her kindness.
Brand Ambassador Award
Fiona Young - Parklands
Fiona's nomination celebrated the care and commitment she brings to Parklands every day. Whether a resident needs reassurance or a colleague needs a helping hand, she is someone people can depend on. She takes time to build meaningful relationships and approaches her work with warmth, patience and respect. Her positive attitude helps others feel supported, and her willingness to get involved makes a difference across the home. Fiona was unable to attend, so her colleague Helen Hall accepted the award on her behalf.
Home Support Colleague Award
Chris Heslop - Willow Lodge
Chris keeps Willow Lodge safe, comfortable and well maintained, tackling urgent repairs and everyday jobs with the same care and attention. His colleagues value his technical skill, but just as importantly, his calm approach when something unexpected happens. He listens to residents and colleagues, takes pride in doing things properly and is always willing to help. His work may happen behind the scenes, but the difference is felt throughout the home.
Positive Impact Award
Emeka Iwuchukwu - St Modans
Emeka joined Meallmore as a carer in 2023 and has since progressed to a senior role at St Modans. He supports colleagues through training, contributes ideas through Colleague Voice and is developing his dementia-care knowledge. His positive impact is just as visible in everyday moments: noticing a colleague needs help, taking time to listen to a resident, or joining in the dancing and bringing a smile to the room.
Head Office & Field Based Support Award
Gordon Nunn - Hospitality
Gordon works alongside our hospitality teams, offering practical support that helps colleagues build their skills and confidence. From coaching chefs and developing menus to contributing to the Academy of Care Kitchen Excellence, he shares his knowledge generously. One home's nomination described the difference his guidance has made to their hospitality and kitchen standards. He is someone teams trust to understand their challenges and work with them to find a solution.
Meaningful Activities Award
Mandy Love - Mearns House
Mandy's work at Mearns House starts with listening to what residents would love to do. Through the Wishing Tree, she and the team turn those conversations into experiences and memories for residents and families. A visiting professional described the effort she puts into making wishes happen, alongside her encouragement during everyday activities. Mandy brings enthusiasm, helps people join in and makes sure their interests and choices shape the opportunities on offer.
Meals Means More Award
Eilidh Mason - Antonine House
Eilidh has progressed from kitchen assistant to chef at Antonine House, building her confidence and continually trying new recipes. Her nominations celebrated the effort she puts into learning, the relationships she builds with residents and her determination to give them food they enjoy. The cook-off was assessed by six judges, considering nutrition, presentation, taste, textured diets, fortification and suitability as finger food. This award recognised the colleague behind those meals, as well as the skill that went into them.
Specialist Home Award
Families described the reassurance that comes from knowing their loved ones are understood at Alderwood House. One parent spoke about their daughter living more independently, while knowing support is there whenever she needs it. Another described the peace of mind the team has given them. These nominations recognised colleagues who build trust, support wellbeing and relationships, and work together to help each resident move forward at their own pace.
Senior Care Worker / Practitioner of the Year Award
Lauren Wilson - Forthland Lodge
Lauren progressed from Care Assistant to Senior Care Worker through Meallmore's Upskills programme, and brings confidence and warmth to Forthland Lodge. Her colleagues value her calm leadership and willingness to help, while residents enjoy her humour and enthusiasm. One nomination recalled her dancing in a bear costume, wearing a Scotland football shirt, in Princes Street Gardens. Behind the fun is a colleague who listens carefully and takes people's concerns seriously.
Nurse of the Year Award
Chelsea Linn - Hilton Court
Chelsea's journey at Hilton Court has taken her from carer and student to qualified Mental Health Nurse. She knows residents well and offers calm reassurance, while encouraging independence and choice. Her support also reaches colleagues: one nominator credited Chelsea with giving them the confidence to begin their own nursing course. Alongside her professional skills, she brings humour, warmth and the occasional song to the corridors.
Elderly Home of the Year Award
Culduthel's nominations described a whole-team approach, with residents and families involved as needs and wishes change. One family's account captured the difference: seeing their mum enjoying the knit-and-natter group, with a huge smile, while being supported to keep making her own choices. Another relative described feeling among friends. From care to hospitality, the team's warmth and responsiveness help create that sense of belonging.
Deputy Manager of the Year Award
Carol Duguid - St Modans
The Deputy Manager of the Year Award was newly introduced for 2026. Carol has given more than two decades of service to St Modans and brings that experience to her role as Deputy Manager. She has supported the home through changes in leadership, offering encouragement and practical guidance. She also continues her longstanding work as Continence Champion, helping ensure residents receive sensitive, dignified support. Her manager's nomination described a trusted colleague whose kindness, knowledge and commitment make a difference throughout the home.
Manager of the Year Award
Denise Scott - Culduthel
Denise leads Culduthel with an open door and a willingness to make time for people. Her colleagues described the support she gives during difficult periods, listening to concerns and looking after the team's wellbeing. Her nominations recognised the warmth behind her professional standards. Denise combines clear expectations with a nurturing approach, helping colleagues feel supported to provide the best care.
Carer of the Year Award
Paul Higgins - Belleaire
Paul brings patience, kindness and a sense of humour to Belleaire. His colleagues described someone who will help across the home, whether a carer, housekeeper or member of the kitchen team needs support. He has built strong relationships with residents and families and makes time to bring a smile to people's faces, even on challenging days. His nominations recognised the care he brings to those everyday relationships, as well as his willingness to support the wider team.
A special Chairman's Award for Bruce Mason
This year also brought a very special recognition: the Chairman's Award for services to Mental Health Support, presented to Bruce Mason.
Bruce has worked at Meallmore for 30 years, specialising in mental health support across the Highlands. His award recognised that long-standing contribution, alongside his own 30-year service milestone.
It was a chance to thank Bruce for three decades at Meallmore and to recognise the people whose commitment has helped shape our homes over many years.
Celebrating 20, 25 and 30 years of service
Our long-service recognition was another important part of the day. These milestones reflect years of commitment across our homes and support teams. Alongside the award winners, we recognised the colleagues listed below for their service to Meallmore.
20 years of service
- Alasdair Armit - Daviot
- Anna Rigos - Auchtercrag
- Annabelle Rushforth - Head Office
- Denise Duthie - Crimond
- Jacqueline Gibson - Belleaire
- Jamie MacKenzie - Head Office
- Julie Kinnaird - Head Office
- Louise Williamson - Redwoods
- Niji Kenny John - Kincaid
- Zbigniew Pluta - Daviot
25 years of service
- Amanda Ferguson - Redwoods
- Caroline Wood - Auchtercrag
- Deborah Whyte - Kynnaird
- Margaret Leiper - Redwoods
- Maxine Rhodes - Manor
30 years of service
- Arlene Masson - Kynnaird
- Bruce Mason - Kinmylies
- Diane Leye - Crimond
- Elaine Shepherd - Auchtercrag
- Karen Radford - Leven Beach
- Moira Shepherd - Auchtercrag
- Sheila Pratt - Airthrey
Thank you to everyone who made the day possible
Congratulations to every winner and finalist, and to all our long-serving colleagues. Thank you too to every colleague, resident, family member and visiting professional who took the time to nominate. Those nominations helped us recognise the care, creativity and commitment that might otherwise go quietly uncelebrated.
We also thank our sponsors, presenters and everyone who helped bring the ceremony together. The awards belong to the people who make Meallmore what it is, and it was a pleasure to celebrate them.
The video from the day is coming soon
There is more to look forward to. Our video from the Meallmore Colleague Awards 2026 will be coming soon, bringing more of the day's celebrations together. In the meantime, enjoy the photographs in the gallery below.
More from the Meallmore community
Discover more about our colleagues in Great Places to Work, or see how creativity brings our homes together in our Postcard Stories project. You can also read about Jody Marshall's national NACC award and explore our care homes across Scotland.
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