Bolton Charity CEO Named Finalist at National Women Achieving Greatness Awards

Bolton-based charity leader Carren Bell, Founder and CEO of Lagan’s Foundation, has been named a finalist in the prestigious Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care Awards 2025, which take place on 2nd December 2025 at the Hilton London Bankside. 

Carren has been shortlisted for The Third Sector Leader Award, recognising her exceptional leadership, vision and dedication to improving the lives of children with complex health conditions and their families. 

Since founding Lagan’s Foundation in 2011, Carren has grown the organisation from a small voluntary initiative into a trusted charity providing vital in-home respite care, short breaks and support services across the North West. Her leadership has been shaped by personal experience and her passion and purpose are the driving forces behind the mission and its continued growth. This commitment to ensuring that no family feels alone in their caring journey has inspired a passionate, compassionate team. 

 “It’s an honour to be recognised among so many inspiring women in the social care sector,” said Carren Bell, Founder and CEO of Lagan’s Foundation. “This recognition reflects not just my journey, but the dedication and heart of everyone involved in our mission to support families of children with complex health needs.” 

 There are four finalists from the organisation:  

• Carren Bell (Founder & CEO) – The Third Sector Leader Award 

• Emma Lewis (HR Operations Director, People Matters HR) – The Outstanding Partner Award 

• Gifty Owusu-Achiaw (Greater Manchester Area Care Team Leader) – The Rising Star Award 

• Claire Donnelly (Merseyside Area Care Team Leader) – The Social Care Superwoman Award (Children & Young People) 

Their nominations highlight the Foundation’s core values of passion, resilience, integrity and empathy – qualities that continue to transform the lives of children with complex health conditions and their families. 

Carren added, “We couldn’t be prouder of our team. To have four finalists recognised at a national level is an incredible achievement. It’s a testament to their professionalism and the impact they make every day in the lives of the families we support.” 

A panel of independent judges led by Dr Cecilia Anim CBE, former President of the Royal College of Nursing, will now take on the challenge of selecting this year’s winners. They will be revealed at the upcoming gala, bringing together leading voices from across the social care sector to honour women shaping the future of care. 

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