Good News Story – Care First 24 wins both ‘The Community Care Manager Award’ and the ‘Apprenticeship Award’ at the KiCA Awards on Friday the 5th of September 2025.
We are thrilled to announce that Care First 24 is the winner of two awards at the recent Kent Care Awards (KiCA) ceremony in Kent on the 5th of September 2025. Our amazing Registered Manager, Lynn James-Wellings, won the category ‘The Community Care Manager’ and Holly James, won ‘The Apprenticeship Award’. They both truly deserve this recognition.
Lynn James-Wellings is a well-respected champion of quality care, with over 30 years’ experience within both domiciliary and complex care. Lynn is passionate about best practice person-centred care and champions the ‘care at home’ agenda. At Care First 24 she has incorporated the TOTUS Well-being project to support both clients and staff.
Specialising in complex care, rapid response and personal health budget care services, our nurse-led provision focuses on the delivery of a well-led person-centred service. As Registered Manager, Lynn also oversees our NMC-approved nursing apprenticeship scheme and is working with the University of Westminster to design a nursing apprenticeship with a focus on social care.
Holly James
Through the leadership of Lynn James-Wellings, Care First 24 are pleased to collaborate with Westminster University and become involved in the education and support of future healthcare professionals. Through this alliance, which Holly James has been part of, we offer employees the opportunity to complete a Nursing Degree Apprenticeship (NMC 2018) or Nursing Associate (NMC 2018) programme.
The development of the apprenticeship programme has enabled us to ‘grow our own talent’ by developing our already motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. Lynn James- Wellings, our Managing Director, is delighted with Holly’s progress and commented “Holly has embraced the programme and she sees this as a way to champion the community care nursing career pathway. I am so proud of the establishment of Nursing Associates and Nursing Apprentices at Care First 24, those on the course and those supporting the learners. I look forward to seeing them on their journey to becoming qualified associates and nurses.”
The annual awards ceremony was held on Friday, 5th September, at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel, where we had the pleasure of spending the evening with some truly incredible people working across social care. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our team’s achievements and show our gratitude for the amazing work they do every day.
The evening began with a drinks reception, giving us a chance to connect with fellow finalists and their colleagues before sitting down to enjoy a delicious three-course meal. Excitement filled the room as the award announcements began, and the atmosphere was electric as each winner was revealed.
It was an unforgettable evening and one that truly highlighted the inspiring individuals in the Home Care Sector and recognised their commitment, passion, and hard work.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Kent Integrated Care Alliance for hosting such a fantastic celebration of care.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. If you’d like to learn more about our services, please feel free to contact us on 01732 790001 or email us at info@carefirst24.co.uk