A Lifetime of Love: Liz Prebble named Surrey’s Care Worker of the Year

Liz Prebble has been named Care Worker of the Year at the 2025 Surrey Care Awards in the Home-Based Care category.

For more than two decades, Liz – a Shared Lives Carer with Surrey Choices – has poured her heart into caring with love, laughter, and dignity. Her compassion and unwavering commitment embody what it truly means to be an outstanding Carer.

Now in her 80s, Liz has cared for a young woman named Emily in her own home since infancy, dedicating much of her life to ensuring Emily receives not only exceptional care but genuine love and belonging. Emily lives with profound and complex needs: she is wheelchair-bound, non-verbal, PEG-fed, and reliant on others for every aspect of daily life. Liz not only meets these challenges with skill and patience, but she continually looks for ways to add joy and meaning to Emily’s world. For her, care has never been about meeting basic needs; it has always been about giving Emily the fullest and richest life possible.

One example of Liz’s tireless devotion was organising a trip for Emily to Lourdes, making it possible for her to join a meaningful and supportive pilgrimage. Emily is embraced by Liz’s family and friends as one of their own – loved, included, and given every opportunity to participate in experiences that bring joy and connection.

Liz has gone to extraordinary lengths to meet Emily’s needs, adapting her home extensively, including installing a lift so Emily can access her bedroom. She accompanies Emily to weekly hydrotherapy sessions – one of her favourite activities – as well as to London shows and specially adapted holidays. Liz ensures that Emily experiences the world beyond her condition.

Perhaps most touching is Liz’s foresight and continued dedication to Emily’s future. Aware she may not always be able to provide the same level of care, Liz has spent recent years carefully researching new homes for Emily, considering only those with strong CQC ratings. She has now identified a suitable option and, pending funding, Emily will be able to transition into this next phase of life. Even

then, Liz’s commitment will remain unchanged; she fully intends to stay a constant, loving presence in Emily’s life.

Shared Lives Registered Manager Paul Dawson says, “Liz is a shining example of lifelong devotion, strength, and unconditional love. She embodies what it means to be an exemplary Shared Lives Carer. To call this a ‘lifetime achievement’ barely scratches the surface.”