Cornerstone ROCK Awards

Our awards recognise and celebrate our Cornerstone Superstars.
Those colleagues, whether they are working directly with residents or supporting operations from the head office, who uphold our values in their everyday work, create a positive place of care, compassion, and excellence.

There are 8 award categories; one for each of our 4 values, 3 awards relating to specific roles and one team award.

A nomination can be made for any Cornerstone colleague or team. To nominate, choose the award category for which you want to nominate an individual or team and complete the questions on the nomination form.

Closing date for nominations: Friday 31st October 2025

The nominations will be considered by members of the Senior Leadership Team and finalists will be invited to meet with the judges on Wednesday 12th November. 

The winner of each award will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Solent Hotel & Spa, Fareham on the evening of Thursday 11th December. 

We look forward to receiving your nominations and hearing more about those special moments when someone’s work truly makes our community a better, more caring place.

Cornerstone ROCK Awards Categories

Celebrating our Superstars

The nominations will be considered by members of the Senior Leadership Team and finalists will be invited to meet with the judges on Wednesday 12th November. 

The winner of each award will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Solent Hotel & Spa, Fareham on the evening of Thursday 11th December. 

We look forward to receiving your nominations and hearing more about those special moments when someone’s work truly makes our community a better, more caring place.

1. Living Our Values Superstar – Respectful

What We Are Looking For:
Respect is at the heart of everything we do. It’s about recognising the intrinsic value of every person—our residents, families, colleagues, and all those who support our mission. Whether you’re on the front line, managing a care plan with sensitivity, or working behind the scenes to create a supportive environment through policy and practice, respectful interactions build trust and dignity.

How We’ll Celebrate It:
We’ll shine a light on moments that have fostered deep trust and built lasting relationships - stories that show how a respectful approach transforms everyday tasks into genuine human connections. This value reminds us that respect is a universal language, spoken by every team member across the organisation.

The Moments That Matter:

• Taking the time to truly understand and honour a resident’s life story and personal values.
• Handling sensitive topics with care and maintaining confidentiality and grace in every conversation.
• Demonstrating fairness and courtesy in every interaction, regardless of the situation or role.
   

2. Living Our Values Superstar – Open

What we are looking for:
Openness is about building trust through honest and transparent communication. It means keeping everyone informed and involved, whether you’re sharing crucial updates on care matters with families or providing transparent information that supports day-to-day decision-making in the office. 

Every team member’s contribution to transparent communication strengthens our service and our community.

How We’ll Celebrate It:
We celebrate the stories where open communication has made a tangible difference - by easing concerns, resolving challenges, and weaving a stronger network among staff, residents, and their families. This value underscores that every role contributes to a culture where honesty and transparency are paramount.

The Moments That Matter:

• Communicating updates and changes in residents’ care plans with sincerity and clarity
• Inviting feedback from residents, families, and colleagues with an open mind
• Sharing both successes and setbacks and using these moments to learn and grow together

3. Living Our Values Superstar – Curious

What we are looking for:
Curiosity fuels improvement. It’s about never being satisfied with “just okay” and always asking, “How can we do this better?” This value is for everyone, whether you’re on the care floor seeking the latest in best practices, a member of the support team identifying ways to streamline processes, or someone in head office researching how to improve our overall approach. Every question and every new idea enriches our commitment to excellence.

How We’ll Celebrate It:
We want to hear about those breakthrough moments where curiosity led to real improvement, whether through innovative care practices or more efficient administrative procedures. This value recognises that every idea, no matter where it comes from, has the potential to make a big difference.

The Moments That Matter:

• Taking initiative for professional development by learning new skills or techniques that elevate care.
• Experimenting with creative ideas that add joy or comfort to the daily routine of residents.
• Asking insightful questions that challenge the status quo and inspire new solutions.

4. Living Our Values Superstar – Kind

What we are looking for:
Kindness is about the warmth and empathy you bring to every interaction. Whether you comfort a resident through a challenging day, offer a supportive word to a colleague, or ensure that care plans are personalised and thoughtful, your actions brighten lives and build a nurturing environment. This value applies to everyone, from those providing direct care on the floor to the teams working tirelessly behind the scenes who make every day run more smoothly.

How We’ll Celebrate It:
We’re after genuine, heartfelt stories—notes from residents, families, peers, and colleagues - illustrating how consistent acts of kindness shape our community. We recognise that kind actions, no matter how big or small, create a lasting positive impact across every level of our organisation.

The Moments That Matter:

• Taking a few extra moments to listen to a resident’s story or help ease their worries.
• Adding personal touches that show residents they are seen and valued.
• Supporting colleagues during busy or stressful times, whether lending a hand on the floor or assisting with a crucial administrative task.

5. Care Assistant Superstar

What we are looking for:
This award celebrates Care Assistants who go above and beyond in delivering exceptional, person-centred care. It’s about the compassion, skill, and dedication they bring to every shift - whether that’s providing comfort during difficult moments, creating joyful experiences, or ensuring every resident feels valued and understood.

How We’ll Celebrate It:
We’ll share stories that highlight the difference you make every day - moments where your care has transformed someone’s experience, lifted their spirits, or provided comfort when it mattered most.

The Moments That Matter:

• Offering personalised care that reflects each resident’s unique needs, preferences, and life story.
• Bringing warmth and reassurance to residents and families during challenging times.
• Demonstrating consistent reliability and professionalism, even under pressure.

6. Nurse Superstar

What we are looking for:
This award recognises nurses whose clinical expertise is matched by their empathy and leadership. It’s about delivering safe, effective care while also being a trusted advocate for residents, a mentor to colleagues, and a calm, reassuring presence in all situations.

How We’ll Celebrate It:
We’ll share stories that highlight the difference you make every day - moments where your care has transformed someone’s experience, lifted their spirits, or provided comfort when it mattered most.

The Moments That Matter:

• Providing exceptional clinical care that improves residents’ health and quality of life.
• Supporting and guiding colleagues with knowledge, patience, and encouragement.
• Acting swiftly and decisively in complex or urgent situations while maintaining compassion.

7. Support Services Superstar

Kitchen, Housekeeping, Laundry, Maintenance, Administration, Activities, Central Support Team Members.

What we are looking for:
This award honours the unsung heroes who keep our homes running smoothly behind the scenes. Whether you prepare nourishing meals, maintain a safe and welcoming environment, keep everything spotless, or ensure our administration is seamless, your work is the backbone of our community.

How We’ll Celebrate It:
We’ll share stories that show how your dedication and attention to detail make our homes places where residents can truly thrive.

The Moments That Matter:

• Going the extra mile to ensure residents’ comfort, safety, and enjoyment.
• Anticipating needs and solving problems before they arise.
• Bringing positivity and teamwork to every task, no matter how big or small.
   

8. Team Superstars

Whole home, specific Lodges, individual departments in our homes and our central support services.

What we are looking for:
This award celebrates teams who work together with unity, creativity, and resilience to deliver outstanding care and support to residents and their colleagues. It’s about collaboration, shared purpose, and the collective spirit that makes a home feel like a family. 

How We’ll Celebrate It:
This award celebrates teams who work together with unity, creativity, and resilience to deliver outstanding care and support to residents and their colleagues. It’s about collaboration, shared purpose, and the collective spirit that makes a home feel like a family. 

The Moments That Matter:

• Pulling together during challenging times to ensure residents’ needs are always met.
• Supporting one another to achieve shared goals and maintain high standards.
• Creating a positive, inclusive atmosphere where residents and staff feel valued.