The director and registered manager of a Hampshire and Surrey care provider is one to watch in the industry after winning a county award.

Christmas has come early for Rachel Tarrant of CareYourWay Alton, Farnham and Farnborough as she was named a Rising Star at the recent 2025 Hampshire Care Awards.

But even though Rachel collected the award, she insisted the accolade is one shared with her parents and team.

The award celebrates not only her personal achievements, but also the ethos that home care should always feel like family.

The recipient was secretly nominated for the award by her father and CareYourWay co-founder Richard for her attitude to delivering care and combating loneliness, especially during the festive period.

Rachel – who launched the service with her parents under the “Our Family Caring for Yours” motto in April – got the award in recognition of her commitment to delivering high-quality compassionate care and her determination to make a difference for local families around the Hampshire-Surrey border.

She has achieved advanced qualifications in leadership and dementia awareness in just 12 months while building a service rooted in professionalism, kindness and strong family values.

This winter, Rachel and her team are also preparing for the return of Present for a Pensioner, CareYourWay’s original Christmas initiative.

The scheme aims to combat loneliness by hand-delivering festive hampers, filled with treats and essentials, to older residents nominated by GPs and healthcare professionals.

The campaign, which runs across the UK, will once again be delivered locally in Alton, Farnham and Farnborough – bringing comfort and joy to those who may otherwise spend Christmas alone.

Rachel said: “We’re incredibly proud to support families here in our community – not just through care at home, but by reaching out to those who need a little extra kindness at Christmas.”