The Apollo Project, led by East Coast College, has proudly been named the winner of the Three R’s Award at the Great British Care Awards – Eastern Region, a category that honours organisations and individuals who are reshaping the future of the Social Care sector through innovative approaches to recruitment, retention, and recognition.
Apollo is a three-year initiative supported by NHS England and social care employers, working in partnership with Further Education Colleges across Norfolk and Suffolk. Its mission is to build a resilient, inclusive, and values-led health and social care workforce which has already supported over six hundred and fifty participants into employment within the sector and over four-thousand engaged to date.
The Great British Care Awards are a series of regional events that spotlight excellence across the care sector. The Three R’s Award is one of the most forward-thinking categories, celebrating those who are redefining how care organisations attract, support, and retain their people. This award reflects Apollo’s deep-rooted commitment to strengthening the social care workforce across Norfolk and Suffolk, ensuring that care is delivered by people who are not only skilled but also deeply aligned with the values of compassion, dignity, and inclusion.
Rachel Bunn, Director at East Coast College, who leads the Apollo project, shared:
“East Coast College is so grateful in the opportunity to lead this regional project with partners and we excited to be able to continue a further year of this impactful project. We are incredibly proud of our college partners who work across Norfolk and Suffolk. Their passion and commitment to improving lives through social care is what makes this recognition so powerful.”
James Cross, NHS England and Chair of the Apollo Board, shared:
“The Great British Care Award Regional Award is fabulous recognition for the Apollo Project, Project Partners, health and social care employers and most importantly the hundreds of people across Norfolk and Suffolk who are now part of our wonderful health and social care workforce in the Eastern Region. None of this would have been possible without the inspirational leadership and delivery of Project Director Rachel Bunn and the Project Team at East Coast College. We look forward to the Apollo Project going through to the National Awards!”
Apollo Project now moves forward to the national finals, representing the Eastern Region and continuing to inspire change across the UK’s social care landscape.