We are delighted to announce that Maxine Clarke has been awarded Diagrama Foundation’s Employee of the Year award for 2026, in recognition of her outstanding contribution and unwavering dedication to the people we support.
Maxine works at Cabrini, our residential care service in Orpington, Kent, which provides support for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs. Since we took over the running of Cabrini from her previous employer, Maxine has become an invaluable member of the team, consistently going above and beyond to ensure the safe and effective running of Cabrini. She may have had initial doubts about the change to the running of Cabrini but over time she has embraced these changes wholeheartedly and become a truly dedicated member of our team.
Her dedication is clear in everything she does. Even when she is not due to work, Maxine will regularly pop into the service if additional support is needed, always making sure the needs of the residents and the service are fully met. Her commitment to the wellbeing of the people in our care is evident every single day.
Maxine has extensive knowledge of the residents she supports and uses this understanding to help achieve better outcomes for them. By sharing her insight and experience with colleagues, she helps guide and support the team in meeting residents’ needs across all areas of their lives.
She also has a strong understanding of health and safety and works tirelessly to ensure the service continues to operate safely and effectively. Alongside this, Maxine is known for her kindness, patience, and understanding towards colleagues, always willing to offer support whenever team members need it.
One of Maxine’s greatest strengths is her willingness to challenge herself. She approaches every task with determination and positivity, even when something falls outside of her natural skill set or comfort zone. Her attitude, professionalism, and dedication make her an exceptional member of the Cabrini team.
At Diagrama Foundation, we are passionate about investing in and developing our staff. We are proud to have many examples of team members who have progressed within the organisation, working their way through multiple promotions and developing rewarding long-term careers with us. Maxine’s journey is a wonderful example of how dedication, commitment, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities can lead to personal and professional growth.
David McGuire, CEO of Diagrama Foundation, praised Maxine’s achievement and the dedication shown by staff across all services:
“Across all our services, we are very fortunate to have so many dedicated and compassionate staff, which made choosing a winner incredibly difficult. The standard of nominations was exceptional.
Maxine stood out because over the years we have seen how positively she has adapted and grown, following Diagrama taking over Cabrini from her previous employer. Naturally, she was nervous about joining the Diagrama team when the service she cared so deeply about transferred over, but she embraced the change wholeheartedly and became an integral part of the team.
She has continued to develop within her role and has consistently shown commitment, professionalism, and genuine care for both residents and colleagues. We are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved and this award is thoroughly deserved.”
Congratulations, Maxine, and thank you for everything you do for Cabrini and the people we support.
