Congratulations to all of our 2026 Winners! We are so delighted to be able to recognise these incredible achievements and honoured to help you celebrate your success! Each year we see and hear more amazing stories and witness the profound impact our community makes across every area of mental health.
Your courage, dedication, and visionary work continue to break barriers and spark meaningful change. We are so proud to champion your work today and every day!
(Left to Right) – Charlie Condou (host), Dr Richard Duggins, Chloe Harris, Stephanie Lael, Maryanne Matthews, Isaac Samuels, Gill Turner-Callis
Individual Winners
Barbara Pokryszka
Individual Outstanding Contribution Sector
This award celebrates an individual who hasn’t just been in the sector, but has fundamentally moved it forward, leaving a lasting, positive mark on mental health and well-being. Having survived severe trauma herself, Barbara turned her lived experience into a life-saving force for others – qualifying as a Personal Safety Instructor, counsellor, and pioneering Therapeutic Art facilitator across Scotland. Her work has helped countless women rebuild their confidence, process trauma, and regain their freedom, with many crediting her with literally saving their lives The judges were impressed by how powerfully Barbara has turned lived experience into a legacy of hope, acting as a true pioneer in personal safety and therapeutic art to help women rebuild their lives and literally save them in their darkest hours.
Isaac Samuels
Inspirational Story
“Winning this award means a great deal to me. It recognises work rooted in my own lived experience, but made possible through relationships, community and people willing to listen and do things differently.”
“I hope it also helps others feel that their knowledge matters. Those of us who have needed mental health support have much to offer in shaping it. For me, the real value of this recognition is the chance to open more doors, share power and help turn being heard into meaningful change.”
– Isaac Samuels OBE
This category honours someone whose personal journey and lived experience have transformed not only their own life, but the lives of countless others and the very systems built to support them. It celebrates those who have looked impossibility in the face, refused to be written off, and turned their deepest struggles into a light for everyone else.
Growing up in the care system, facing homelessness, and losing their mother at a young age, Isaac’s early life carried burdens no child should ever have to hold. Moving in and out of crisis, Isaac was eventually sectioned for nine months and given a devastating prognosis: that they would never work, never live independently, and likely wouldn’t survive past their thirties.
When enough people tell you your future is hopeless, it’s hard to imagine one at all. But a quiet belief survived inside Isaac.
Starting small—Isaac gradually rebuilt their life. But Isaac didn’t just rebuild for themselves; they dedicated the next thirty years to making sure no one else was written off.
From returning to the very hospital wards in East London where they were once a patient to sit with people on their darkest days, to shaping national suicide prevention policies with the Samaritans, the NHS, and Parliament -Isaac has been a rare and vital bridge between lived experience and national policy. Awarded an OBE in 2025, Isaac’s life is a testament to the fact that recovery isn’t about perfection, but about staying, listening, and carrying one message to others: your story is not finished yet.
The judges were impressed by Isaac’s extraordinary resilience and
profound courage in defying a devastating prognosis, transforming their lived experience of the care system and crisis into a vital national force that shapes suicide prevention policy, supports others in their darkest hours, and proves that no one’s story is ever finished.
Stephanie Lael
Nominate a Professional
Working in long-term segregation is one of the most complex and emotionally demanding roles in mental health care. When the hospital opened its first specialist unit, Stephanie was the steady anchor the service needed, building a culture rooted in deep integrity, patient advocacy, and mutual trust.
From mentoring staff through high-pressure shifts, to helping individuals with acute trauma and autism, rebuild confidence and re-engage with care, Stephanie’s impact is profound. She doesn’t just deliver exceptional clinical leadership; she restores hope and ensures that every single person around her feels genuinely valued.
The judges were impressed by Stephanie’s exceptional clinical leadership and steadfast anchor as a specialist unit pioneer, expertly supporting individuals with acute trauma and autism while mentoring staff to restore hope and genuine value
to everyone around her.
Becky Richens
Nominate a Professional
“For me, these awards are about more than celebrating what we have achieved. They shine a light on work that is too often unseen, inspire others to make a difference and remind us why we must keep striving for better. Because behind every statistic is a real person, behind every service is a workforce that cares and behind every recovery story is the possibility of a brighter future.”
With over two decades of clinical experience, Becky specialises in neuroaffirming support, driven by a simple belief: people thrive when care fits them, not a rigid system. To make help truly accessible, she stepped away from conventional clinic settings to meet families wherever they feel most at ease – from home visits and online chats to walk-and-talks in the open air.
Whether she’s running practical workshops for parents of neurodiverse children, producing free community resources, or building support networks for local practitioners, Becky works tirelessly to ensure no one slips through the net.
Described by the families she supports as a “gamechanger” and even “pure magic”.
Lucy Clark
Nominate a Professional
– Counsellor – RASASC –
“Winning this award means a huge amount to me, both personally and professionally. I’m still feeling a little overwhelmed, in the loveliest possible way, by the whole experience.“
“Recognition not only encourages professionals to keep going, but also inspires the next generation to join a sector where they can make a genuine difference. Just as importantly, it offers hope to people living with mental illness, those in recovery and their families. It sends a powerful message that people care, that recovery is possible and that lives can change.”
Lucy was nominated by a survivor who carried the trauma of a horrific assault in complete silence for over thirty years. From their very first session together, Lucy offered extraordinary gentleness, warmth, and quiet humour – creating a safe space where decades of hidden pain could finally be shared.
By helping this survivor understand how trauma settles in both mind and body, Lucy guided the way to releasing years of overwhelming shame. Her support led to profound physical and emotional healing—empowering the survivor to rediscover a love of art, open up to family, and find the courage to contact the police.
Lucy represents the very best of trauma-informed care, proving that compassion can rebuild lives even after decades in the dark.
Nicola Heaton, Katrina Hutchins, and Tilly Mills
Nominate a Professional
Devon Partnership Trust – South West Provider collaborative
When a child is admitted to a Tier 4 mental health unit, parents are often plunged into a terrifying world of clinical jargon, complex systems, and overwhelming isolation. But Nicola, Katrina, and Tilly have walked that exact path themselves.
Drawing on their own lived experience, this peer-led team acts as a vital bridge between hospital staff and home. Outside the clinical structure, they walk alongside parents, helping them navigate complex red tape, secure funding, and simply offering a safe, non-judgemental space to breathe and offload.
Described by clinicians as a gold standard for care and by parents as “the calm in the middle of the storm,” they ensure no family faces an inpatient admission alone.
Organisational Winners
ALABARÉ
Innovative Proactive Wellbeing Activity and Client Wellbeing
ALABARÉ – Client Wellbeing
This category is all about moving beyond good intentions to celebrate the services and organisations making a proven, measurable difference to the lives of those they support. It takes real vision, heart, and dedication to lift someone’s daily wellbeing and this award recognises those who have the evidence to show just how deeply their work has transformed lives.
Through their Boots on the Ground and Young People’s Wellbeing initiatives, ALABARÉ supports military veterans and young people facing homelessness to rebuild their lives from the ground up.
By bringing people together through outdoor adventures, peer mentoring, and hands-on community projects, they restore the camaraderie, trust, and purpose that trauma and isolation so often strip away. From gaining new qualifications to volunteering with local sports clubs, their proactive support gives individuals the confidence to step out of their comfort zone and into a fulfilling, independent future.
The judges were impressed by the exceptional range of evidence supporting your impactful work – from your vital support for struggling young people to your sustainable programmes for veterans facing complex needs,
highlighted by particular strengths in outdoor activities.
ALABARÉ – Innovative Proactive Wellbeing Activity
Alabaré’s Heritage that Heals project is helping veterans rebuild confidence, connection and purpose through heritage.
Veterans who have experienced homelessness work towards a place on overseas conservation projects, combining teamwork, physical activity, new skills and camaraderie with the opportunity to restore important military heritage.
The impact is powerful: 69% of participants reported improved wellbeing, with veterans describing renewed confidence, purpose and a sense of belonging.
And the change lasts beyond the trip. Participants have gone on to independent living and employment, while previous veterans have returned as volunteers and peer mentors, supporting others on the same journey.
From restoring historic sites in Malta and Gibraltar to restoring hope in veterans’ lives, Heritage that Heals shows how purpose, connection and community can help transform lives.
The judges were impressed by how powerfully Alabaré’s proactive wellbeing initiative stands out, delivering a superior pitch and setting a benchmark for innovative activity that restores both military heritage and veterans’ lives.
“We are delighted to have won two Mental Health Awards, as it’s fantastic recognition of the dedicated teams behind all the activities offered to clients, but it also demonstrates the incredible client engagement as they grasp each opportunity with both hands, get stuck in, and ultimately benefit from being involved on an emotional and physical level. Our thanks go to the judges for their recognition, and it’s a privilege to be named alongside others doing such important work across the mental health sector.”
“At ALABARÉ, we truly believe that to break the cycle of homelessness, the support offered needs to be about more than just shelter. By combining that practical space with holistic and wellbeing support, we are giving people the confidence, additional skills and life experiences to help them thrive and successfully move onto independence, broadening their horizons, and showing them the art of the possible.”
Gill Turner-Callis, ALABARÉ’s Senior Chaplain and Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing
The North East and North Cumbria Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub
Workplace Wellbeing
Supporting 175,000 health and social care workers across the region, this Hub was created with one vital mission: to care for the people who spend their lives caring for the rest of us.
Recognising that traditional support can often feel too slow or daunting when you’re facing burnout, they stripped away all the red tape. Staff can self-refer confidentially – without manager approvals or long waiting lists – and speak to a specialist that very same day. From quick-access therapy to neurodivergent peer support and menopause clinics, it’s a genuinely compassionate safety net.
An independent review found that 100% of staff felt truly listened to and supported. By protecting the wellbeing of our frontline workers, they are helping the people who keep our care system running stay well, valued, and hopeful.
Mothers for Mothers
Long Term Impact
Founded over four decades ago by women who navigated perinatal mental ill-health themselves, this charity ensures no new parent must face the daunting early months alone.
Through their flagship REACH service, they break down the intense fear and stigma that so often prevents mothers from seeking help. From weekly check-in calls and home visits to expanding multilingual support, their peer-led team provides a gentle, non-judgemental safety net for over 850 families every year.
Handling nearly 14,000 calls and messages annually, Mothers for Mothers gives parents the space to catch their breath, rebuild confidence, and deeply connect with their babies, creating a ripple effect of healing that lasts for generations.
The judges were deeply moved by one organisation whose peer-led heart, lived experience, and unwavering dedication have provided a true lifeline for generation after generation of families navigating perinatal mental ill-health.
For over forty years, they have broken down stigma, held space for parents when they needed it most, and proved the transformative power of mothers supporting mothers.
“We are absolutely delighted to receive a Mental Health Award 2026 in the category of Long Term Impact in the 45th year of our Reach service. I am so very proud of our skilled and caring lived experience, peer support team, staff and volunteers. I also want to acknowledge the bravery of the women who first started this service 45 years ago. This award honours them and all of the brave women who have accessed our services over the years. As we celebrate our thanks go to our Board of Trustees and all other VCSEs and health care professionals who encourage us and support our work. Thank you.“
Maria Viner, Mothers for Mothers CEO
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Innovative Mental Health Intervention
Ever tried processing a complex therapy session on two hours of broken sleep? It’s nearly impossible—yet for years, insomnia was the elephant in the youth mental health room. Enter The Better Sleep Programme, a tiny-but-mighty team of four at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
Realising you can’t heal a mind that’s perpetually exhausted, they tailored Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) specifically for young people, creating the UK’s first region-wide sleep care pathway across NHS services, schools, and charities.
Their four-person crew has accredited over 300 therapists, upskilled 750+ frontline staff, and helped more than 5,000 young people finally get some sleep. The results speak volumes: clinical insomnia plummeted, and 57% of youth reported that standard mental health therapy worked once they were sleeping properly.
This team proved that a good night’s rest isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s where healing begins.
The Wren Project
Innovative Mental Health Intervention
When your body’s own defence system decides to fight you, the last thing you need is a healthcare system that leaves you to deal with the emotional fallout alone. Autoimmune conditions affect 1 in 10 people in the UK, yet physical treatments rarely come with mental health support.
Enter The Wren Project; the UK’s only charity tackling mental health across all 153 recognised autoimmune diseases. Founded by people with lived experience, Wren delivers 3-to-6 months of free digital Listening Support directly to housebound, fatigued, or immunocompromised patients. With a ‘Did Not Attend’ rate of just 5% (a quiet miracle in healthcare logistics!), they’ve provided 10,000+ hours of vital care to over 2,000 people.
The impact speaks volumes: 97% feel more hopeful, and 80% report reduced distress. Wren proves that while an autoimmune condition might be lifelong, fighting it in isolation doesn’t have to be.
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this award. At Wren, we believe that innovation doesn’t always mean creating something new; sometimes it means recognising what is missing and doing something differently. We have built a unique service around the simple but powerful act of listening, supporting people living with autoimmune disease who have too often felt unheard and overlooked. This recognition is a wonderful acknowledgement of our team’s dedication and the importance of creating space for people to feel heard, understood and less alone.”
Kate Middleton, CEO and Founder, The Wren Project.
The judges faced an impossible choice between two ground-breaking initiatives that are completely redefining what mental health care looks like in the UK, so we are thrilled to declare joint winners for Innovative Mental Health Intervention!
Sharing this prestigious award are Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, recognised for their pioneering work in transforming frontline mental health support, and The Wren Project, honoured for their vital digital listening support bridging the crucial gap between autoimmune disease and mental health. Together, these two organisations showcase the very best of empathy, innovation, and patient-centred care.