The NitWits: Cleckheaton home care team ‘highly commended’ for reducing social isolation at Stars of Social Care Awards
A Cleckheaton-based home care team has triumphed yet again at the Stars of Social Awards.
Nova Care Yorkshire Ltd, a bespoke care company which provides advanced care to individuals within their own home, has been highly commended in the Reducing Social Isolation category at the 2026 ceremony.
The Reducing Social Isolation category recognises innovative teams and individuals who have put in place strategies to promote wellbeing and reduce loneliness, with the judges looking for examples of how service users can remain connected to their families, friends and wider community.
Nova Care has been recognised for helping to break isolation within its community having created their own social group, called the NitWits.
The group hosts biannual events which have blossomed, with over 400 individuals from the local community, other home care companies, care homes, councillors, local MP’s, West Yorkshire Police and Kirklees Dementia Hub attending.
A Nova Care client responsible for naming the NitWits, said: “When you get to the stage where you need a bit of care, you worry you’re going to have lukewarm cuppas and Bargain Hunt on repeat to look forward to.
“But the Nova Care NitWits have completely turned things on their head. I was over the moon that we were nominated. It was brilliant. They don’t just pop-in to check if we’re still breathing - they actually bring some life back into us.
“When Nova Care first started organising these socials we didn’t really know what to expect. We needed a name, so I opened my big mouth and the NitWits stuck like glue which earned me the title of Chief NitWit.
“The afternoons are very entertaining and, for a few hours, nobody is sitting at home feeling lonely because we’re too busy singing our hearts out, laughing and making friends for life.”
Following on from the team’s success they have been invited by Kim Leadbeater, MP for Spen Valley, to speak at her loneliness summit about what they do to help break isolation.
The commendation follows on from last year’s awards where the Nova Care team was highly commended again in the Above and Beyond category, while manager Sarah Moore was named as the overall winner for the regional Inspirational Care Home Manager prize.