The wait is finally over and we can now reveal the names of our finalists for the 2026 Cartrefi Cymru Co-operative Awards...
We received well over 450 nominations from colleagues and people we support across Wales. Each of our 21 awards has three finalists and our award categories encompass our values of kindness, honesty, trust, wellbeing and respect as well as a group of broader categories representing the journeys and achievements of all our people.
Speaking about the nominations and judging process, Will Rees, Cartrefi's Communications Manager said: "It was an absolute honour for the team and me to be able to read so many heartfelt and inspirational nominations from the Cartrefi community.
"We had a really though time drawing up a longlist for our judging panel and then they had an even more agonising time voting for their favourites in a secret ballot. We're now hard at work making arrangements for the big night on 10 October 2026 at the Future Inn, Cardiff Bay. Being able to tell people the amazing news that they have been named a finalist has been one of our favourite moments of the year so far!"
Now, without further ado, we are delighted to announce our finalists:
Awards for the People We Support
The Honest Voice Award
Tomos Hall (Carmarthen)
Claire Dyer (Swansea)
Hayley Evans (Carmarthen)
Trust Builder
Leighton F (Bridgend & The Vale)
Nicholas Thomas (RCT)
Malcolm Baum (North)
Kind Heart
Dawn Redhead (Swansea)
Chelsey Caffery (Pembrokeshire)
Myfanwy Jones (North)
Respect in Action
Andrew Davies (Carmarthen)
Marjorie Mordecai (Swansea)
Scott Randall (RCT)
Wellbeing Warrior
Jason Rowswon (North)
Hazel Tipton (North)
Thomas Martland (North)
Community Champion
John Dylan Jones (North)
Ian Hudson (North)
Gareth Jones (North)
Confidence Breakthrough
Michelle (North)
Dennis Hughes (North)
Anthony Bancroft (North)
Aiming High
Rory K (Bridgend &The Vale)
Luke Hodge (North)
Laura Bailey (North)
Teamwork
Joseph W, Owain O’B, Abigal W (Mid)
Jessica Thomas, Steven Henry Monks & Malcolm Brian Wilde (North)
Ashley Coucerio & James Tyler (Pembrokeshire)
Independence Achievement
Christopher Davies (North)
Jaydyn Davies (Swansea)
Iwan Cannon (RCT)
Last year saw our first ever awards evening - a fantastic night of celebration!
Awards for Colleagues
Champion of Honesty
Beverly Evens (Bridgend & The Vale)
Cody Jarrett (Bridgend & The Vale)
Amyleigh Hunter (North)
Trusted Colleague
Lisa Hodden (Pembs)
Claire Molloy (North)
Rebecca Willey (Mid)
Wellbeing Advocate
Janis Ketchell (Carmarthen)
Emma Jenkins (Swansea)
Lianne Lewis (RCT)
Respect in Practice
Amy Baker (Bridgend & The Vale)
Janet Adams (Bridgend & The Vale)
Sharon Parry (North)
Everyday Kindness
Jeannette Drew (Mid)
Wendy Fraser (North)
Mayokun Akindele (Mid)
Innovation in Support
Gower View Team (Swansea) including:
Mudiaga Okobiah (Assistant Manager)
Anthony Oyebadejo
Efe Ukpebor
Jennifer Murphy
Helen Cole
Jo Thompson
Karen Heir
Laju Okobiah
Lisa Bennett
Lowri Grigg
Victoria Akpan
Kathryn Egglestone (Central)
Kimberley Howell (Swansea)
Team of The Year
Claire Power
Ed Pearce
Adekunle Adekanbi
Steve Mitchell
Nigel Flower
Sharon Bevans
Samuel Merayo
(Pembrokeshire)
Laburnum Close (Mid) including:
Annamarie Mantle
Julie Davies
Julie Adshead
Theresa Brown
Tayla Thomas
Chelsea Mills
Allison Haines
Florence Onadare
Kaitlin Clarke
Tara Paton
Robyn Boulter-Creeks
Molly English
Lynsey Roberts
Bryn Felin Team (North) including:
Daniel Moody
Emma Wakefield
Charlie Johnston
Carla Shaw
Sophie Harrison
Thomas Marshall
Suzette Dingley
Erica Lindley
Jannette Hoyle
Support Worker of The Year
Charlie Johnston (North)
Anthony Morris (RCT)
Liam Spiller (Swansea)
The Central Colleague of the Year Award
Cat Roberts (Central)
Chloe Rosoman (Central)
Rebecca Kidd (Central)
The Manager of The Year Award
Vicky Christopher (RCT)
Heidi Lawry (RCT)
Claire Lewis (Swansea)
The Rising Star Award
Connor Smith (North)
Michael Reakes (RCT)
Patrick Harper (North)
We can't wait for the big night on 10th October!