About Suffolk Care Awards
Care Development East are thrilled to host the 2026 Suffolk Care Awards to recognise and celebrate the work of the care sector and the local communities that have continued to support them. This year marks our 10th anniversary, celebrating the incredible work within social care. Join us on the 25th November 2026 at Venue 16 for another unforgettable night.
Suffolk Care Awards 2026 - 10th year celebration
We’re thrilled to announce a milestone year - the 10th Suffolk Care Awards
About the Suffolk Care Awards
The Suffolk Care Awards are the highlight of the year for Suffolk’s social care sector, bringing together care providers, professionals, partners and supporters to recognise the incredible dedication of those working across the sector and celebrate the outstanding work taking place across Suffolk every day.
Now in their 10th year, the Suffolk Care Awards are a special opportunity to shine a light on the people, teams and organisations who make a real difference to the lives of others. From outstanding individuals and inspirational leaders to dedicated teams and innovative care providers, the awards celebrate excellence in all its forms.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Suffolk Care Awards
2026 is a very special year as we celebrate the 10th Suffolk Care Awards — and we're making it bigger and better than ever!
For our milestone year, we have 10 award categories, our highest number yet, allowing even more people, teams and organisations across Suffolk to be recognised as a finalist or winner.
And once the awards are over, the celebration doesn't stop! We're bringing back our post-awards disco, giving everyone the chance to celebrate and dance the night away after what promises to be an unforgettable evening.
Nominations Are Now Closed! Thank you to everyone who entered.
2026 Awards Timeline
5 August 2026 – Nominations open
2 September 2026 – Nominations close
From 23 September 2026 – Finalists contacted
30 September 2026 – Tickets go on sale
4 November 2026 - Ticket sales end
25 November 2026 – Suffolk Care Awards 2026
We can't wait to hear your incredible stories from across social care and discover this year's finalists!
The Big Celebration
Join us on 25 November 2026 at Venue 16, Ipswich, for an unforgettable evening celebrating the very best of Suffolk's social care sector.
Recognise Excellence. Celebrate Dedication. Be Part of Something Special.
Meet Your Host – Boo Dendy
We’re incredibly excited to announce that Boo Dendy will be our host for the 10th Suffolk Care Awards!
Rather than simply choosing a well-known name, this year we wanted to put the spotlight on someone who truly knows, understands and cares about social care — and Boo is exactly that.
With more than 30 years of experience in health and social care, Boo has worked across the NHS, Suffolk County Council and Leading Lives, where he was Business Development Manager and was part of the original management team that helped establish Leading Lives in 2012.
After more working in health and social care, Boo recently began a new chapter, semi-retiring from Leading Lives and taking on a part-time role with Turning Point as a Drug & Alcohol Outreach Worker, supporting young people and families. Turning Point is a leading social enterprise delivering health and social care services across areas including substance use, mental health, learning disability, autism, homelessness, healthy lifestyles and employment, working in more than 270 locations across England.
Boo is passionate about the third sector, including social enterprises, employee-owned organisations and workers' co-operatives. He believes that communities and the people within them are the solution to our needs and is passionate about changing systems, leading change and making a difference.
And there’s much more to Boo than his career! He describes himself as a connector, collaborator, parent, grandparent, artist, music lover and cyclist, with a passion for public speaking and, in his own words, “speaking truth to power.”
Alongside his new role with Turning Point, Boo is also focusing on his artwork, music events and setting up a small consultancy — so we’re delighted he’s taking time out to join us for this very special occasion.
A host who gets it.
Boo has spent decades working alongside people with learning disabilities, family carers, colleagues, professionals, communities and organisations across the health and social care sector. He understands the challenges, the passion and, most importantly, the people behind the work.
So expect plenty of laughs, personality and maybe a little bit of truth-telling as Boo takes to the stage!
We couldn’t think of a better person to help us celebrate the people and organisations who make Suffolk’s social care sector so special.
We can’t wait to welcome Boo Dendy as our host for the 10th Suffolk Care Awards.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2026 Suffolk Care Awards.
This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to be part of a very special 10th anniversary celebration, raise their profile among social care professionals and organisations across Suffolk, and show their support for excellence in social care.
Interested in getting involved? Contact us to receive our sponsorship package brochure: info@caredevelopmenteast.co.uk
Have a Question?
Contact the team:info@caredevelopmenteast.co.uk
Suffolk Care Awards 2025
Last year marked nine years of celebrating everything that's great about Suffolk's Social Care Providers and once again, its fantastic to have the opportunity to highlight the work of those individuals who are delivering the highest levels of care every day.
Suffolk Care Awards 2023 Winners pictured above
Suffolk Care Awards Winners 2024 pictured above
Suffolk Care Awards Winners 2025 pictured above