November 6th 2026

We’re delighted to share that Victoria Baron from Hampshire Care Association has been shortlisted for the Social Change Agent Award at the 2026 Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care (WAGS) Awards. Congratulations, Victoria!

The award recognises women who have positively influenced change and made a meaningful difference to social care or to people drawing on services, locally or nationally.

Making data security practical

Victoria is the South East Regional Lead for the Better Security, Better Care programme, supporting care providers across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight to strengthen data security, cyber resilience and digital confidence.

Her work focuses on making complex requirements practical and achievable, with a clear purpose: helping providers build safer, more secure systems that support safer care.

Reflecting on the shortlisting, Victoria said:

“I was genuinely surprised and deeply honoured to be selected as a finalist for The Social Change Agent Award at the 2026 Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care (WAGS) Awards, which recognises women making a meaningful difference across social care through positive change at a local or national level. It’s particularly special to have work that I’m so passionate about recognised in this way.”

Recognising a shared effort

Victoria also highlighted the people and partnerships behind the local programme

She added:

“The support and guidance provided by the Digital Care Hub are integral to our work and have been invaluable in developing our local programme. Strong relationships with providers and external partners have also helped us reach more organisations and respond to their needs.

I’m fortunate to work alongside such a dedicated team at Hampshire Care Association. Their knowledge, hard work and support make a real difference to what we achieve.”

Emma Health, CEO of Hampshire Care Association, who nominated Victoria, said:

“I nominated Victoria in recognition of the fantastic work she has led through our data security programme, supporting 100s of providers across Hampshire, Southampton. Portsmouth and Isle of Wight to raise data security and compliance standards.”

Michelle Corrigan, CEO of Digital Care Hub, shared her congratulations:

“How exciting and so very well deserved. I’ve got fingers and toes crossed that you win!!”

Everyone at Digital Care Hub is sending Victoria our warmest congratulations. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for you, Victoria. And we’re sending our best wishes to all the finalists – including long-term friends of Digital Care Hub: Cheryl Champion from LDC Care and Victoria Buyer from ARC England.

Winners will be announced at the WAGS award ceremony on 1 December.

Find out more on the WAGS Awards website.