SECHA Awards

On Friday 23rd October 2026, South East Care & Health Association proudly hosted its very first Care Awards, bringing together care professionals from across the sector to celebrate the extraordinary people who make a difference every single day. The awards were created to recognise the dedication, compassion and commitment of the often unsung heroes working in care. It was a wonderful opportunity to honour the outstanding work carried out by our care homes, care providers and care professionals, and to showcase that care is so much more than a job. It is a vocation driven by kindness, passion and a genuine desire to enrich and improve the lives of others.

Southend Care Ltd proudly nominated four members of staff across a range of award categories, recognising their dedication, professionalism and unwavering commitment to providing outstanding support. Each nomination reflected the compassion, hard work and positive impact these individuals have on the lives of the people they support every day. Being nominated was a fantastic achievement and a testament to the high standards of care delivered throughout our organisation.

Our Nominees 

Norma Reader - Care Activities Co-ordinator of the Year

Julian Frost - Maintenance Operative of the Year

David Perry - Housekeeper of the Year

John Wealleans - Care Chef of the Year

And the Winner is!

We are pleased to announce that our Head Chef John Wealleans won Care Chef of the Year!

John joined Southend Care Ltd in April 2026 and, in a remarkably short time, has made a significant and positive impact across the organisation. He consistently demonstrates our values and behaviours, placing residents' wellbeing, dignity and enjoyment at the heart of everything he does.

John takes the time to meet with residents individually to understand their likes, dislikes and dietary preferences. He works closely with those who may have lost their appetite, encouraging them to eat by introducing different flavours, meal choices and food textures that meet their individual needs. His person-centred approach helps ensure residents continue to enjoy food while receiving the nutrition they require.

John and his team go above and beyond to create memorable dining experiences for everyone. Whether it is afternoon teas, BBQs, birthday celebrations or his latest idea of Sherry Sunday Afternoon, he brings creativity, enthusiasm and a sense of occasion that residents genuinely look forward to.

Away from the kitchen, John has also made a valuable contribution to wider company events. As a member of the Southend Care Summer Event committee, he helped provide burgers and sausages for staff and service users throughout the day, all while ensuring breakfast, lunch and evening meals were prepared and served within the home. His commitment and teamwork were instrumental in the success of the event.

Demonstrating genuine compassion and community spirit, John recently approached senior leaders with the idea of a Christmas Shoebox Donation Appeal. His vision is for staff to fill shoeboxes with festive gifts and essentials to be distributed to those less fortunate within our local community, extending the caring values of Southend Care beyond our homes.

John's dedication, innovation, kindness and commitment to enriching the lives of residents, colleagues and the wider community make him an outstanding candidate for Head Chef of the Year.

Congratulations John you are a great representative for Southend Care and thoroughly deserving of this recognition.

Congratulation to David Perry - A Finalist!

David was nominated as Housekeeper of the Year as he always goes above and beyond the expectations of his role.

Every Tuesday David will give up his spare time and come and sing Karaoke with our residents in Brook Meadows House. Our residents and activities team really appreciate David singing for them and he is known for his Pavarotti Nessun Dorma!!

David also follows the Southend Care values and behaviours and is a well-liked member of the team. He is passionate about his singing and really does bring so much joy to all that have listened to him. Thank you David.

Well Done to Norma and Julian

Norma nominated for Care Activites Cordinator of the Year

Norma consistently goes above and beyond in her role, ensuring that every resident is treated with dignity, respect, and kindness. She takes the time to get to know each individual personally, understanding their interests, life stories, and preferences, which allows her to create meaningful and engaging activities that promote wellbeing and inclusion.

Her enthusiasm and positive attitude have a significant impact on residents, their families, and colleagues alike. Norma works tirelessly to ensure that all residents, regardless of their abilities or needs, have opportunities to participate in activities that bring them joy, purpose, and social connection. She is particularly skilled at encouraging reluctant residents to engage, helping to reduce isolation and improve their quality of life.

Norma demonstrates outstanding teamwork by working closely with care staff, relatives, volunteers, and external organisations to deliver a varied and stimulating programme of activities. She is highly reliable and can always be counted on to put residents first, often finding creative and innovative ways to celebrate special occasions and create memorable experiences.

The difference Norma makes is evident in the smiles, confidence, and happiness of the residents she supports every day. Her dedication, creativity, leadership, and genuine care embody the very best values of the care sector, making her an extremely deserving recipient of this award.

Julian nominated for Maintenance Operative of the Year

Since joining Southend Care Ltd in October 2025 as a part-time Maintenance Operative at Brook Meadows House, Julian has made an exceptional contribution to the service. Julian received employee of the summer season this year, recognising his consistently polite, friendly, and hardworking attitude.

Julian continually goes above and beyond in his role, demonstrating a genuine commitment to both resident wellbeing and staff support. He is always willing to help, approaches every task with professionalism, and takes pride in ensuring the home is safe, well-maintained, and welcoming.

Julian has worked single-handedly within the maintenance team for an extended period while awaiting a new team member, taking on additional responsibilities without complaint and ensuring the home continues to run smoothly.

What truly sets Julian apart is his dedication and reliability. He regularly responds to call-outs outside of his normal working hours, providing vital support when it is needed most. His willingness to go the extra mile helps ensure that residents remain safe and comfortable, while staff can work in a secure and well-functioning environment.

Julian's positive attitude, strong work ethic, and unwavering commitment to the home make him a highly deserving recipient of the Maintenance Operative of the Year Award. His contribution has had a significant impact on the daily lives of both residents and colleagues, and he embodies the values and standards that Southend Care Ltd strives to achieve