We're finalists — and the application process taught us something important

We were thrilled to hear we’d been selected as a finalist in not one, but two categories at the Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards 2026: Family Business of the Year and Medium to Large Business of the Year. 

Being shortlisted brings us a lot of pride, but we also want to take a moment to talk about what the process of applying taught us - because putting these submissions together was about more than chasing recognition. 

Telling our story honestly 

Writing an awards entry forces you to stop and take stock. What have we actually achieved? What makes us different? What are we proud of, and why? 

For us, the answers kept coming back to the same place: the people we support, and the families who trust us to support their loved ones. 

Abacus was founded by a family with personal experience of what it means to need support. And it’s that understand which fuels everything we do. 

We spoke to parents as part of a recent branding project. One mother, reflecting on the long journey to being able to trust another setting with their son's care, told us: "Once you have managed the emotional issues, you can only see positives - as long as you have a setting you're comfortable with, and staff who are able to do a little of what you have done for your child."  

Helping families reach a place of trust and positivity is exactly what we are here for. 

Growth that means something 

Since welcoming our first person to the service in 2021, Abacus has grown significantly. We now support individuals across multiple services, employ more than 80 staff, and work with commissioners across six local authorities and Integrated Care Boards. 

But the growth we’re most proud of is the increasing independence of those we support - to enjoy life in their own home, make their own choices, and live life on their terms. 

What's next 

We go into the awards ceremony proud of what we've built, and clear about what comes next. We're working toward supporting 100 people. With each person comes a family whose life is also changed. That is what growth means to us. 

Thank you to everyone who is part of the Abacus story - our team, the families we work with, our commissioners, and most importantly, the people we support every day. 

Wish us luck!