The winners of the annual National Care Awards were announced on Friday at a packed Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London.

With more than 250 finalists across 28 awards, the National Care Awards are the largest awards recognising excellence in the UK care sector. This year included some new awards, such as Care Personality of the Year, Sustainable Care Home of the Year and Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year, while Specialist Carer of the Year is now two awards, recognising both residential and homecare or supported living teams.

Hosted by stand-up comedian Tom Allen, the evening event kicked off with a drinks reception, which was followed by a three-course dinner and then the awards presentation itself. Once the final award was presented by Allen, people left the dining area and headed for the bar, where they mingled and danced until past midnight.

Without doubt, the highlight of the evening was the reaction to the winner of The Sara Berrio Care Champion Award. This award goes to an exceptional person, whether they are a member of staff, a relative, resident or a volunteer who has gone above and beyond and made a real difference. Charitable achievements or making life better for residents and relatives, or simply someone who has done great things but may not have had the recognition they deserve, are what the judges look for.

This year, the award was presented to Harold Heasman a resident at Eastham care home, which is run by Runwood Homes. The 99-year-old won the award for breaking a Guinness World Record for being the oldest person to undertake a wing walk, and has raised more than £10,000 for children with cancer. The judges said he has shown the world that a care home can be a place where people thrive, and he rightly received a heartwarming standing ovation from National Care Awards attendees.

A special mention also goes to Ayla, which won the Tech Innovation of the Year, because of the genuine surprise expressed by the recipients when their company’s name was announced – it was a show of emotion that really highlighted the value of these awards.

The winners of all the awards were as follows:

• Care Home of the Year – Portsdown View Care Home, Connaught Care
• Care Home Manager of the Year – Beverley Manzar, Ebury Court Residential Home
• Carer of the Year – Sharon Dickson, Visiting Angels Fylde Coast
• Care Team of the Year – Alexandra House, Harlow/Cherries Unit, Runwood Homes
• Deputy Manager of the Year – Geethu Tennison, Kendal Care Home, Abbey Healthcare
• Care Activities Co-ordinator/Facilitator of the Year – Von Ryan Ong, Abercorn House Care Home, Sanctuary Care
• Care Chef of the Year – Beata Kaczynska, Castle View, Colten Care
• Training & Development of the Year – Claire Lumb, PBS and Service Manager, Creative Support
• The Dignity & Respect Award – Welwyn Grange, Ardale Care
• Care Operations/Area Manager of the Year – Neil Lancaster, Hallmark Luxury Care Homes
• The Sara Berrio Care Champion Award – Harold Heasman, Eastham, Runwood Homes
• Care Housekeeper of the Year – Diana Harry, Magnolia Court, Barchester Healthcare
• Care Registered Nurse of the Year – Caroline de Besi, Draycott Nursing & Care
• Care Personality of the Year – Sonia Thapa, Mums and Carers
• Tech Innovation of the Year – Ayla
• Sustainable Care Home of the Year – Hallmark Henley Manor, Hallmark Luxury Care Homes
• Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year – Care First 24
• Domiciliary Carer of the Yeat – Katarzyna Nowicka, Trinity Homecare
• Domiciliary Care Provider of the Year – Azure Care
• Specialist Carer of the Year (Residential) – Sarah Kirk, Beechwood Care Centre, Highgate Care
• Specialist Carer of the Year (Homecare or Supported Living) – Tim Hughes, Midland Mencap
• Specialist Care Provider of the Year, Small/Medium Group – Cascade
• Specialist Care Provider of the Year, Large Group – Cygnet Group
• Specialist Care Provider of the Year, Homecare or Supported Living – SEA Support Services
• Care Home Group of the Year (Small) – Boutique Care Homes
• Care Home Group of the Year (Medium) – Elizabeth Finn Homes
• Care Home Group of the Year (Large) – Care UK
• Lifetime Achievement in Care – Peter Kinsey