We’re proud to announce that we’ve been shortlisted as “Employer of the Year” at the Wigan Business Awards 2026.
With a record-breaking number of applicants, it’s a huge accomplishment for us at Bridgewater to be selected amongst some of Wigan’s biggest businesses. Being named a finalist highlights our dedication to staff care and our ongoing commitment to supporting the people at the heart of our operations at Bridgewater Home Care.
From ongoing training and support for franchisees from our own founder, Phil Eckersley, to continuous development opportunities for our dedicated care staff, we strive to put people first. After all, high-quality care starts with a supported and valued workforce.
“Being shortlisted for Employer of the Year is particularly meaningful to me because, in social care, the quality of the service we provide will always be directly linked to the people providing it.
I believe the best care organisations of the future will be those that combine a genuinely people-first culture with intelligent use of technology. At Bridgewater, we’re investing significantly in AI, automation and digital systems to remove unnecessary administration, improve training and quality, and give our teams better tools to do their jobs.
Technology should never replace the human relationships that great care is built upon. It should enable them, freeing our people to spend more of their time doing what they do best: supporting clients, developing their teams and making a difference in their communities.
To have our approach recognised here in Wigan, where Bridgewater was founded and where our journey began, makes this nomination especially significant.”
— Phil Eckersley, Founder & Managing Director, Bridgewater Home Care UK
This achievement belongs to our incredible team. From our specialist care staff who work tirelessly to provide care to our clients, to our franchisees who invest in our Bridgewater Brand and help areas across the UK access our care services.
As we look ahead to the awards, the team at Bridgewater is excited to join fellow nominees and Wigan businesses for an evening celebrating local stories and community heroes.
