We are delighted to announce our finalists for the 2025 National Lived Experience Awards.
We look forward to hearing more about these inspiring projects and people at the exclusive awards on Tuesday 23rd September, where the winner of each category will be announced.
The list of categories and finalists is as follows:
Community and Collaboration Award
Inflatable 5k Fundraiser
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
The Patient Partners initiative brings together patients and staff from Lincolnshire NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) to fundraise for projects that directly benefit service users. A key event was a challenging inflatable 5k run, which raised money for the Dragon’s DENHS program. Dragon’s DENHS empowers patients to pitch ideas for enhancing their wards and services, with the funds raised making these ideas a reality. The 5km run not only secured crucial funding but also boosted participants’ confidence and teamwork. This project showcases how patient-led initiatives and shared goals can create a sense of community, purpose, and meaningful change within mental health services.
Criminal Justice Peer Support – Community Liaison and Diversion Service
Together for Mental Wellbeing
Together for Mental Wellbeing’s Community Liaison and Diversion Service is built on the power of lived experience. This innovative program employs Peer Supporters—individuals who have personal experience with both mental health challenges and the criminal justice system—to guide others facing similar struggles. Working alongside Community Link Workers, the team offers both emotional and practical support to aid recovery and community reintegration. The service, which began in 2013, has a proven track record of empowering its Peer Supporters, with many progressing from volunteering to paid roles. By championing peer-led support, the program not only helps individuals navigate complex systems but also fosters a renewed sense of identity and self-worth.
Alexandra H
Priory Group
Alex has transformed her personal recovery journey into a powerful force for change at Priory hospital. As a service user, she founded and has led a hospital-wide newsletter for over two years, creating a platform that amplifies the voices of both patients and staff across seven wards. Utilising her background in editing, Alex has mentored peers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. Her remarkable talent and dedication were recognised with a Lived Experience Partner role, where she now co-produces communications for the entire division. As she prepares for discharge, Alex leaves a lasting legacy, continuing her role as a Priory Bank Worker and championing the power of lived experience.
The Borrow and Buy
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
The Borrow & Buy shop is a co-created charity shop run by service users at TEWV NHS FT. Born from an idea in a “United Voices” meeting, the shop provides a unique opportunity for service users to take on vocational roles, from organising donated items to managing the till. All money raised goes directly into the CHIME fund, supporting service user recovery. The shop offers low prices and borrowing options, ensuring everyone can participate. It not only provides practical retail experience but also fosters a sense of community and normalcy, giving service users a chance to socialise and engage in a familiar, empowering activity.
Celebrating Diversity Award
Hannah
Priory Group
Hannah is the Lived Experience Partner for Priory’s Acute and PICU Networks, where she brings her authentic voice to a variety of divisional projects and meetings. A dedicated champion for diversity, Hannah ensures that the unique needs of all service users—including those from the LGBTQ+ community and individuals who are neurodiverse, are not only considered but celebrated. By sharing her own experiences, she proactively educates colleagues and advocates for a shift in power dynamics, such as during Mental Health Act hearings. Hannah’s work is crucial in developing a culture of understanding and acceptance, consistently centring the service user voice and experience in all she does.
Carl – The Power of Lived Experience
Sheffield Health and Social Care
Carl Reeves’ journey from inpatient to a celebrated Expert by Experience is a powerful testament to the impact of lived experience. While still a patient at Forest Lodge, he joined the Mental Health Act Reform Programme to tackle inequity for ethnically diverse patients. Since his discharge, Carl has been instrumental in shaping the program, ensuring patient voices are at the center of all decisions. He has co-delivered training on systemic racism, presented at national conferences, and recently spoke at an international event. Carl’s courage and authenticity in sharing his story not only empower his peers but also drive meaningful change across mental health services.
EDI, Where are you?
Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
This patient-led project has revolutionised Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within a male medium secure mental health service. Initiated by a patient who identified a gap in accessible EDI information, the project demonstrates true co-production by placing him as the chair of a dedicated task force. The group, which includes patients and staff, has developed multiple resources to improve awareness and understanding. Their efforts include easy-read surveys, informative cards, a calendar of cultural events, an animated film, and an art competition to create a new EDI logo. This collaboration has fostered a more inclusive, informed, and equitable environment for everyone.
Liam – The A Team Project
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
A secure care resident, diagnosed with autism as a young adult, Liam has created an innovative project called “The A Team”. Recognising the isolation people feel in secure care, he established this monthly support group to raise autism awareness and celebrate neurodiversity. The A Team provides a safe space for people to discuss a range of topics—from mental health to gender identity—through the lens of autism. By leading these sessions himself, Liam has not only empowered others to understand their own neurodiversity but has also found a new purpose. The project is a powerful example of how lived experience can drive meaningful change and recovery.
Hope and Positivity Award
Paul – Co-Facilitating Guitar Sessions for Patients Onsite
Priory Healthcare
Paul and an occupational therapy staff member have co-created and co-facilitated a Beginner Guitar course through the Recovery College. This initiative was designed to keep the music room active and provide a therapeutic outlet for other patients. Paul was instrumental in developing the course, drawing on his own experience of learning guitar to design sessions that are both engaging and effective. By sharing his passion and skills, he has not only helped his peers but has also grown in confidence himself. This project is a powerful example of co-production, showcasing how lived experience can be used to create meaningful, patient-led initiatives.
Postcards, With Love
Yorkshire and Humber Involvement Network
In the Postcards, with love initiative, a group of 20 women from three services in West Yorkshire co-created powerful postcards to influence national mental health pathway reform. Since travel to a key meeting in London wasn’t possible, the project used these unique, hard-hitting postcards to convey their experiences directly to NHS England. Each postcard features an impactful visual and a direct message, ensuring the voices of the women were heard at the highest level. The postcards had a profound effect, influencing discussions and leading to a letter of thanks from the national programme. This project demonstrates how small, creative acts can have a significant and lasting impact on a large scale.
10 Ward Round Standards
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Through the “Every Voice” programme, patients identified a common issue: ward rounds often left them feeling unheard. In response, Patient Partners collaborated with patients and staff to co-produce a set of 10 Ward Round Standards. These standards, which shift focus from a traditional medical model to one that is person-centred, were developed through a process of listening to patient ideas and trialing solutions. The initiative has since been rolled out across the Trust, with Patient Partners providing training to multidisciplinary teams. Patients report feeling more comfortable and included, with one noting, “I feel in control of my ward round when I chair it.” This project is a powerful example of how patient-led change can improve quality and experience.
Individual Progress Award
Andy
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Andy’s journey from feeling hopeless in a secure unit to becoming a Patient Partner and Service User Governor is an inspiration. After training as a chef during his recovery, Andy used his voice to ensure his peers were heard at the highest levels of the Trust. He has led several key projects, including Dragons DeNHS, which provides ward funding, and Come Dine with Us, which improved patient dining. Andy’s determination led him to successfully challenge policies that excluded him from becoming a Governor, paving the way for others with a similar background. A true role model, he continues to mentor new Patient Partners and gives back to his community by cooking meals for his ward.
Caitlyn
Priory Group
Caitlyn’s journey is a testament to the power of recovery and advocacy. Starting as a patient on the Lotus ward, she has bloomed into a Divisional Lived Experience Partner for the Priory’s Eating Disorder Network. Throughout her own recovery, Caitlyn co-produced documents for service improvement and co-presented at national conferences. Now, as a colleague, she leads the ‘Real Work Opportunities’ strategy, developing an induction programme for future Lived Experience Partners. Her passion for collaborative care and culture change is infectious, and her work is a powerful reminder that with trust and support, personal experience can be transformed into a force for systemic improvement.
Ellie
Yorkshire & Humber Involvement Network
After being discharged, Ellie began volunteering as an Expert by Experience (EbE) with the Yorkshire and Humber Involvement Network (YHIN). Her dedication has now led to a paid role, where she uses her personal journey to influence change. A key part of her work is the Women’s Pathway Project, where she provides invaluable insights and helps shape services. Ellie led the development of a Recovery Passport to give women ownership of their recovery and also created an update video, making information more accessible and relatable. Her passion, resilience, and commitment to giving back not only inspire others but also ensure that the patient voice is at the centre of service improvement.
Millie
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Following a two-year inpatient admission, Millie joined “Every Voice” as a Patient Partner with a clear goal: to improve patient experience and reduce inequalities. Drawing on her own lived experience journey, including a stay far from home, she has led and supported numerous initiatives to make inpatient services better. Millie’s newfound confidence as a Patient Partner also fuelled her personal aspirations. She passed her driving test, bought her own house, and secured a role as an ambulance service call handler at just 20 years old. In this new role, she uses her lived experience to educate colleagues and advocate for those in distress. Millie’s dedication to helping others is further demonstrated by her fundraising activities for mental health charities. She will never shy away from a challenge to improve the lives of others.
Outstanding Leadership Award
Zaynab (ZeZe)
Emotion Dysregulation in Autism (EDA)
At just 23, ZeZe founded Emotion Dysregulation in Autism (EDA), a world-first, youth-led charity. Drawing on her personal experience as a survivor of psychiatric detention, ZeZe created a service that provides psychologically informed peer mentoring for autistic young people aged 12-25. EDA, which is commissioned by the NHS, supports over 1,000 young people across the UK, offering an empathetic alternative where traditional services may fail. ZeZe’s innovative leadership also extends to training clinicians and advocating for change at the House of Lords. Her journey from personal struggle to becoming a published author, TEDx speaker, and powerful advocate is an inspiring example of how lived experience can transform an entire system of care.
Alan
Priory Group
Alan’s journey from inpatient to a Lived Experience Partner (LEP) has had a profound impact on Priory services. While still an inpatient, he was a key member of the Service User Council, advocating for his peers and helping to improve the service user voice. Since his discharge, Alan’s dedication has only grown. He now holds a paid LEP role, where he’s instrumental in staff training, patient safety meetings, and quality reviews. In a powerful initiative, he designed a course for the Recovery College to guide other service users who aspire to become LEPs. Alan’s ability to share his story with honesty and empathy has not only inspired his peers, but has also shaped a more compassionate and person-centred approach across the organisation. His success serves as a powerful testament to the value of lived experience in recovery.
Gambinga
Sheffield African Caribbean Mental Health Association (SACMHA) Health & Social Care
Gambinga is leading a project to address the disproportionate use of restrictive practices against individuals from Black communities within mental health services. For two years, he has spearheaded this initiative at SACMHA Health & Social Care, providing a voice to those who have been marginalised. His work extends beyond direct support, actively shaping trust cultures by delivering cultural competency training to hospital staff and presenting at national events and to Boards of Directors. What makes Gambinga’s work so impactful is his unwavering empathy and genuine desire for change, fuelled by his own lived experience. He has become a beacon of hope, inspiring a more equitable and compassionate mental health system.
Georgia
Cygnet Health Care
Georgia, a service user at Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke, has been the driving force behind the success of the hospital’s on-site Recovery College Café. Since its opening in January 2024, she has volunteered six days a week, transforming the space into a welcoming hub for the community. Initially struggling with anxiety and OCD, Georgia overcame her fears to become a skilled barista and a confident leader. She now manages the café, trains new volunteers, monitors stock, and advocates for changes based on peer feedback. This therapeutic role has been a crucial part of her recovery, giving her a sense of purpose and improving her social skills. Georgia’s dedication and passion have been instrumental in keeping the cafe open and providing a supportive environment for others, showing that recovery is possible and that personal growth can be a powerful force for change.
South West Provider Collaborative: Working in Partnership to Transform Outcomes for People with Mental Health Conditions
Devon Partnership NHS Trust (South West Provider Collaborative)
The South West Provider Collaborative is transforming mental health services by placing lived experience at the heart of its work. Since April 2024, the initiative has engaged a dedicated group of Experts by Experience (EbyEs), who bring valuable insights from inpatient services including eating disorders, secure care, perinatal, and CAMHS Tier 4. Trained and supported by Rethink Mental Illness, these EbyEs are integral to a wide range of projects, from quality ward walks and recruitment to developing a distress tolerance booklet for young people. This co-production model ensures that the voices of service users and carers are central to decision-making, leading to better patient outcomes and a more person-centred approach across the entire mental health service.
Social Care Star Award
Robert – Cygnet Scotland Drama Group
Cygnet Social Care
Robert, a resident at Trinity Lodge, has been an exceptional leader and a driving force for co-production at the Cygnet Scotland Drama Club. Since 2023, he has passionately supported his peers in all aspects of performance. Robert’s dedication is evident in his choreography for the annual “Mamma Mia” show, where he patiently teaches dance steps and ensures everyone feels confident. He consistently goes above and beyond, not only practising his own role but also researching creative ideas for costumes and props online. His pivotal role as Danny in a past “Grease” production and his ongoing mentorship have inspired his peers, showcasing how his innate talent and desire to help others are transforming the drama club into a truly collaborative and supportive environment.
Beacon House
Cygnet Social Care
Beacon House exemplifies outstanding co-production by empowering residents to shape their environment and care. Through a “doing with” philosophy, the team ensures that lived experience actively drives meaningful involvement and tangible improvements. Residents lead initiatives such as monthly party planning, creating activity timetables, and designing their own living spaces. This includes an award-winning “Under the Sea” sensory room, a project born from a shared interest among residents. This collaborative approach extends to daily life, from choosing decorations to planning holidays. By consistently seeking resident feedback and transparently showing how their input leads to real change, Beacon House fosters a culture of independence, community, and well-being. This model proves that a resident-led environment can significantly enhance quality of life and deliver truly personalised care.
Daniel – Lived Experience Work
Priory Group
Daniel is a key member of the Lived Experience Panel at Priory, where he champions the voices of residents. A passionate advocate, Daniel has not only contributed to discussions on policy and procedures but has also conducted audits at other sites to provide valuable perspectives from a service user’s point of view. Daniel also holds paid employment on the learning disability team’s interviewing panel, where he creates his own interview questions and helps recruit new staff. He is passionate about advocating for others who cannot speak for themselves. His dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life for his peers make him a respected and influential figure within Priory.
Hartnell’s Café
Cygnet Social Care
Hartnell’s Café is a brand-new social enterprise in Lockerbie, opened by residents of Trinity Lodge and Trinity House, to benefit adults with learning disabilities and the wider community. Named in memory of a former resident, the café provides invaluable work experience and skills training for residents. Individuals such as George, Richard, and Nigel work voluntarily, gaining hands-on experience in customer service, food preparation, and money handling. These roles not only build confidence and skills for future employment but also allow residents to give back to the local community that has supported them. The café has been a great success, with customers becoming regulars. This initiative is a powerful example of co-production, community engagement, and empowerment.
Kieran
Cygnet Social Care
Kieran has achieved a remarkable journey to overcome a significant personal challenge. Inspired by his love for sunshine and water, the team at Cherry Tree House and Kieran’s family, helped make his dream of a holiday abroad a reality. Kieran, who lives with moderate learning disabilities and autism, was particularly challenged by waiting, his main trigger. The team meticulously planned the trip to Spain, securing fast-track airport access and creating social stories to prepare him. Despite unexpected challenges at the airport, including a security search and a two-hour baggage delay, Kieran’s resilience was extraordinary. He handled the setbacks with incredible calmness, surpassing all expectations. The holiday was a huge success, strengthening his confidence and instilling in him a new-found tolerance for waiting. The holiday was such a success, they are booking another trip. Kieran’s courage in facing his biggest challenge demonstrates his incredible personal growth and makes him an inspiration to others.