Wigan care worker crowned employee of the year at Caring Connections Awards 2026

Wigan resident Jurgita Valiukaite has been crowned Employee of the Year 2026 at the Caring Connections Annual Staff Awards, beating colleagues from across the North West to secure the organisation’s highest individual honour.

Jurgita, who joined the Wigan branch of the registered social care charity in 2022, was recognised for her outstanding dedication to delivering high-quality care, supporting colleagues and making a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable people in her local community.

Since joining Caring Connections, Jurgita has become an integral part of the Wigan team, demonstrating exceptional resilience, professionalism and compassion throughout a period of significant organisational change.

Her commitment to excellence has also been recognised by the local authority, which has highly commended her attention to detail and the quality of her work.

Alongside her responsibilities as a Care Coordinator, Jurgita takes on several additional roles, including Mental Health First Aider, Menopause Champion and Key Mover, supporting the wellbeing and development of both colleagues and the people receiving care.

Her passion for professional development has been equally impressive, having recently completed her Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care ahead of schedule.

Speaking about the award, Paul Growney, Chief Executive of Caring Connections, said:

"Jurgita represents everything we stand for at Caring Connections. She is someone who genuinely cares about the people she supports, takes immense pride in her work and is always willing to go that extra mile.

"Since joining us in 2022, she has demonstrated incredible resilience and commitment. Through periods of change and challenge, she has remained a constant source of support for her colleagues and the people who rely on our services.

"What makes Jurgita special is that, for her, care is so much more than a job. It's clearly her vocation. She brings compassion, professionalism and a fantastic sense of humour to everything she does.

"We have so many outstanding employees working across the North West, so to be recognised as our overall Employee of the Year is a tremendous achievement. We couldn't be prouder of her."

The Caring Connections Annual Staff Awards 2026 brought together employees from across the North West to celebrate the achievements of the charity's frontline care workforce.

A total of 19 awards were presented during the evening, recognising exceptional contributions to social care, teamwork, leadership and community impact.