Winning the Domiciliary Care Worker Award at the Oxfordshire Care Awards 2026, Sandra Pelko’s journey into care is both unexpected and deeply inspiring. Originally from Zagreb, Croatia, Sandra began her career far from the sector, studying Nutrition before moving into Economics and Finance. It wasn’t until she relocated to the UK in 2019, seeking new opportunities, that her path into care began.

“I had never worked in care and honestly did not know much about the sector at all,” Sandra shares.

What started as a practical decision quickly became something far more meaningful. After gaining experience in nursing and residential settings, Sandra discovered her true passion in domiciliary care, where she found purpose in supporting people within their own homes.

“I enjoy the independence that comes with working in the community and being able to build stronger one-to-one relationships with clients,” she explains.

Over the years, Sandra has taken on a variety of roles, from Care Assistant to Coordinator and Recruiter, and has completed her NVQ Level 5 in Leadership and Management, further strengthening her commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred care.

For Sandra, care is about more than tasks, it’s about connection.

“Delivering truly person-centred care means understanding that every individual is different and deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion,” she says. Whether it’s supporting daily routines or simply taking time to listen, she believes the smallest actions can have the greatest impact.

One particularly powerful moment in her career highlights this approach. Supporting a client at the end of life, Sandra stayed with the family after their loved one passed, ensuring she was cared for with dignity. “Knowing that I was able to bring some comfort to the family during such a difficult time meant a lot to me,” she reflects.

Like many in domiciliary care, Sandra acknowledges the emotional challenges of the role. From unpredictable situations to supporting people through vulnerable moments, resilience is essential. “Every day is different, and you never truly know what you are going to walk into,” she says. Yet, it is this very unpredictability that makes the work meaningful.

Drawing on her own family experience, Sandra remains grounded in empathy. “I think about my own grandparents… and treat every client the way I would hope my own family members would be treated.”

Now, as she works towards launching her own domiciliary care agency, Sandra’s vision is clear: care that is compassionate, personal, and truly centred around people, a philosophy that has already made her an award-winning professional and a valued part of the All Care Oxford team.