Meallmore Wins at Scottish Excellence Awards 2026

For more than 40 years, Meallmore has been dedicated to providing exceptional care across Scotland. Our commitment to creating great places to live and work has been recognised once again, as we proudly accept the Employee Engagement and Retention Award at the Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, sponsored by Caterer.com.

A People-First Approach That Sets Us Apart

This prestigious award places Meallmore alongside Scotland’s leading hospitality organisations, validating our belief that great care begins with great people. Competing against luxury hotels and award-winning restaurants, our success highlights the strength of our workplace culture - one where colleagues feel valued, supported, and empowered to deliver outstanding care every day.

Colleague retention remains a significant challenge in the care sector. At Meallmore, we have created an environment where colleagues choose to stay, grow, and build lasting careers. This stability directly benefits our residents, ensuring continuity of care - one of the most important factors in delivering high-quality support.

Our C.A.R.E Model in Action

At the heart of our success is the C.A.R.E. model, which drives everything we do:

• Creating welcoming environments
• Acting with accountability
• Recognising our colleagues
• Engaging in continuous improvement

These values ensure Meallmore remains a great place to live and work. Our investment in colleague development extends beyond traditional training. Through our Hospitality Academy and Academy of Kitchen Care Excellence, we support colleagues in housekeeping, catering, and hospitality roles to develop specialist skills. These programmes cover nutritional care, food presentation, leadership, and person-centred dining approaches.

Clear pathways for career progression empower colleagues to build long-term careers within Meallmore. Our structured development includes leadership training, internal promotion, succession planning, and recognition initiatives that celebrate individual contributions.

Hospitality at the Heart of Everyday Care

Our award also recognises our innovative approach to embedding hospitality principles into daily care. We believe dining is more than a routine task - it is a meaningful part of each day that supports independence, encourages social interaction, and enhances wellbeing.

Our Meals Means More programme brings restaurant-quality presentation and personalised menus to every home. Flexible dining options tailored to individual preferences create social, enjoyable mealtime experiences that foster connection and comfort.

By combining clinical expertise with genuine hospitality, our compassionate teams - from caregivers and nurses to activities coordinators and chefs - deliver person-centred care that honours each resident’s unique preferences and joys.

Building on a Foundation of Excellence

This recognition adds to a remarkable period of achievement for Meallmore. We have been named a Top 20 Large Care Home Group in the UK, received accolades at the Scottish Care Awards, and earned national recognition for catering and hospitality excellence. These milestones reflect our ongoing commitment to raising standards across the care sector.

Since opening our first care home, Meallmore has grown to 27 homes across Scotland, supporting hundreds of residents and employing over 2,000 dedicated colleagues. Our journey has always been about more than buildings - it’s about people and the relationships that make exceptional care possible.

Looking Ahead: Continuing Our Commitment to Excellence

Winning the Employee Engagement and Retention Award inspires us to continue investing in our people and strengthening our hospitality-led approach. With exciting developments like the new Pitfodels Wood Care Home opening in Aberdeen in 2026, we remain focused on creating environments where residents can live well, and colleagues can thrive.

For families considering care options, this award offers reassurance that choosing Meallmore means choosing a provider committed to the highest standards of care and employment practices. When colleagues are engaged and supported, residents receive the continuity and quality of care they deserve.

To learn more about our award-winning approach or to arrange a visit to one of our homes, please contact us. At Meallmore, great care is built on strong relationships, shared purpose, and a commitment to doing things better every day.

Q: What does winning an Employee Engagement Award mean for residents and their families?

Winning this award demonstrates that our colleagues are highly engaged, supported, and committed to their roles. Research shows that engaged care staff provide more consistent, compassionate care. For residents, this means familiar faces, continuity in their care routines, and colleagues who genuinely know their preferences and needs. For families, it provides assurance that their loved ones are cared for by a stable, motivated team.

Q: How does employee engagement in care homes impact the quality of care?

Employee engagement directly influences care quality in several ways: engaged colleagues are more likely to stay long-term (providing continuity), proactively identify resident needs, collaborate effectively with healthcare teams, and approach care with genuine compassion rather than as routine tasks. Our C.A.R.E. model ensures colleagues feel valued, which translates to residents feeling valued too.

Q: What are the Scottish Excellence Awards and who can win them?

The Scottish Excellence Awards, sponsored by Caterer.com, recognise outstanding businesses across Scotland’s hospitality industry. Unlike care-specific awards, this recognition positions us alongside luxury hotels and restaurants, validating our hospitality-led approach to care. Organizations are judged on innovation, excellence in their field, and commitment to their people and customers.”

Q: What criteria are used to judge the Employee Engagement and Retention Award?

The Employee Engagement and Retention Award evaluates organisations on their strategies for attracting, developing, and retaining talented colleagues. Judges assess training programs, career development pathways, workplace culture initiatives, retention metrics, and employee satisfaction. Our success reflects our structured investment in colleague development through our Hospitality Academy, clear progression opportunities, and recognition programs.