You can learn more about our 2026 Events Team by reading their bios.
My name is Akinsola, Akin for short. I am 32 years young. I enjoy success stories. I believe that my mental health journey is reaching a stage that eventually the outcome will be freedom & success. Get to know me, I am a nice guy.
I wanted to be a part of the Events Team as I enjoy getting involved in the National Lived Experience Awards and learning new things. My interests include socialising with friends, volunteering weekly at a farm, watching football games, horse riding, fishing, swimming, cycling and attending church. I also have a pet rat called Shirley who I enjoy looking after.
My name is Amy. I like being on the events team because I love to help others and share my ideas. I enjoy singing, and I love helping every year.
I would like to be part of the National Lived Experience Awards. It is an event I have done before, and I really enjoy celebrating moments that are special to people’s lives and achievements. I love to cook and bake; I find it very therapeutic and meaningful. I love to feed people. My favourite activities are educational ones, like emotion regulation, etc. Anything I can learn about myself and how to manage in the future is a skill set much appreciated.
This day is for you to celebrate your journeys and achievements. I’m so happy to be a part of making your day so special. My name is Andy, and I’m a service user myself. I work for Every Voice, helping to take service users’ views, opinions, and experiences to help make your service and journey better. I’m so privileged to be a part of this special day.
My favourite subject is history. I am looking forward to meeting people and helping with all the fun activities ahead. I am outgoing and enjoy people’s company. I am very good at making things and enjoy Lego. I have just applied to become a volunteer in a charity shop in my hometown.
I am proud to be from Glasgow (Scotland). I would be happy to discuss my journey and comparisons in services and how welcomed I have felt at Cygnet.
Hi, my name is Carly. I enjoy organising parties and events, love baking, socialising, swimming, dancing, karaoke, and spending time with family. I am in college studying makeup artistry level 3. I can’t wait to be part of the awards.
My name is Caroline. I have been part of the events team before, and looking forward to taking part again this year and planning a fantastic event. My hobbies are looking after my horse, Morning.
Hi, my name is Charlene. I enjoy looking after animals & being creative. Being at Cygnet has allowed me to have my own independence, it has built my confidence, and helped me overcome my anxiety. What I am excited for at the awards is meeting others and being able to share my lived experiences. I hope I’ll be able to share my story and inspire others.
I have been part of the events team since the beginning and truly value being involved. I enjoy supporting the performances, whether it’s hearing people sing or listening to patients share their speeches. I also have a strong interest in creativity and enjoy contributing in creative ways.
I have been part of the events team since the beginning and truly value being involved. I enjoy supporting the performances, whether it’s hearing people sing or listening to patients share their speeches. I also have a strong interest in creativity and enjoy contributing in creative ways.
Hi, my name is Christopher. I have lived at my service for 8 years. I have previously attended this event and really enjoyed my time meeting new people and supporting them into the venue. I am very sociable and enjoy social situations. I am very friendly, approachable, and hard-working.
I want to contribute to as many various hospitals and service users’ conferences or Meetings. I will put in 100% effort and give any feedback. My hobbies are doing my own DJ in my bedroom, playing games on my console, playing football every Thursday morning, watching live Football at Bolton, Huddersfield and at the Bradford City stadium every weekend, and watching DVD movies in my bedroom. I also enjoy looking after and changing the water, and cleaning out my Small Fish Tank and feeding my 4 Baby Goldfish.
I love the NLEA because it awards people for their hard work. It’s a special experience for everyone involved. I’m excited to see what this year brings.
“Hi, my name is Karen. I have been a service user for over 30 years. I am married with four grown-up children and three grandchildren. I have recently become a patient partner to represent patient views to the Lincolnshire NHS trust. I trained as a teacher in Newcastle, then moved to Lincoln 30 years ago. My hobbies are reading, cross-stitching and going to the gym. I enjoy spending time with the family too. I also drive, which allows me to have more freedom. During my time on the wards, I have represented my fellow service users and also won awards for ‘my shared pathway’ and implementing patient portfolios.
Hello, my name is Larraine. I have many years of experience in using mental health services, and I will always speak up for others to make sure patients get the best deal. I am experienced at planning and hosting awards and have strong negotiation skills for getting the best deal. It’s an honour to be part of the team to make a day for patients to remember forever.
I joined the Event Team because I am passionate about using my lived experiences to help ensure people feel heard, valued, and represented. I enjoyed working collaboratively and contributing to meaningful events that celebrate the voices and achievements of others. I am especially looking forward being part of the Awards and seeing people recognised for their strength and impact. In my free times, I enjoy walking, doing diamond art, and colouring, which I find relaxing and creative outlets for self-care.
Hello, my name’s Millie. I have worked in Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust for the last 2 years following being in hospital. I am passionate about improving mental health services! I’m excited to see familiar faces at the awards and celebrate all the great achievements that everyone has made this year.
Sewing is one of my favourite activities, as well as eating, creating pictures, and cookery books, both Breakfast and Dinner/Supper.
Hi, my name is Samantha. I have been a resident at Cygnet since May 2025. Since being here, I have had support with managing my self-esteem, and I enjoy participating in activities with the OT team. I’m excited to be part of this event to share my lived experience with others. My favourite hobbies are music and singing; I also enjoy my weekly trips to Subway and Harvester. Sticking to my daily routine is very important to me, as it’s something I’ve valued since growing up. Lastly, I love to make people smile every day!
I like listening to music. I like talking to new people. I like to try new things.
I have lived at Yorkshire Supported Living for many years. I really enjoy being there and have made some great friends along the way. I love live entertainment, i.e., music, singing and dancing, and love to keep others entertained. I also really enjoy getting dressed up in a suit. I enjoy attending a Gardening project at one of the residential services, and also enjoy going out with my staff shopping and for meals out. I also really enjoy watching classic movies and TV shows at home.
My name is Vicki, and I love rainbows. I live at Cygnet, and I really enjoy being part of the event team and performing at the NLEA Awards. My favourite part is hearing all the inspirational stories; I hope to be an inspiration myself someday.
I would like to join the events team to gain life experience, build my confidence and meet new people. I will look forward to going to the award ceremony and help to plan it. My hobbies include martial arts, going out for meals at restaurants, meeting new people and going for walks.