After a fantastic inclusive day, we are delighted to announce our finalists and winners of the 2025 National Lived Experience Awards:
The complete list of categories and finalists is as follows:
Community and Collaboration Award
Winner: The Borrow & Buy
Organisation: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
The Borrow & Buy shop is a co-created charity shop run by service users. It provides vocational roles and practical retail experience while fostering a sense of community and normalcy. All money raised goes directly into the CHIME fund to support service user recovery.
Other finalists:
- Inflatable 5k Fundraiser – Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Criminal Justice Peer Support – Community Liaison and Diversion Service Together for Mental Wellbeing
- Alexandra – Priory Group
The project that won the service user choice vote was Inflatable 5k Fundraiser – Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Celebrating Diversity Award
Winner: Carl – The Power of Lived Experience
Organisation: 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. He has been instrumental in shaping the Mental Health Act Reform Programme to tackle inequity for ethnically diverse patients. Carl’s courage in sharing his story empowers his peers and drives meaningful change.
Other finalists:
- Hannah – Priory Group
- EDI, Where are you? – Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
- Liam – The A Team Project – Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
The person that won the service user choice vote was Liam – The A Team Project – Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Hope and Positivity Award
Winner: Postcards, With Love
Organisation: Yorkshire and Humber Involvement Network
The Postcards, With Love initiative saw a group of 20 women co-create powerful, hard-hitting postcards to influence national mental health pathway reform. The project used these unique postcards to convey their experiences directly to NHS England, leading to a profound effect and influencing discussions at the highest level.
Other finalists:
- Paul – Co-Facilitating Guitar Sessions for Patients Onsite – Priory Group
- 10 Ward Round Standards – Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
The project that won the service user choice vote was 10 Ward Round Standards – Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Individual Progress Award
Winner: Ellie
Organisation: Yorkshire & Humber Involvement Network
Ellie’s dedication has led her from volunteering as an Expert by Experience to a paid role, where she uses her personal journey to influence change. She has been a key part of the Women’s Pathway Project and led the development of a Recovery Passport, helping women take ownership of their recovery.
Other finalists:
- Andy – Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Caitlyn – Priory Group
- Millie – Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
The person that won the service user choice vote was Andy – Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Outstanding Leadership Award
Winner: Zaynab (ZeZe)
Organisation: 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, she created a service that provides psychologically informed peer mentoring for autistic young people. ZeZe’s innovative leadership is an inspiring example of how lived experience can transform an entire system of care.
Other finalists:
- Alan – Priory Group
- Gambinga – Sheffield African Caribbean Mental Health Association (SACMHA) Health & Social Care
- Georgia – Cygnet Health Care
- 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 people that won the service user choice vote were Alan – Priory Group, and Georgia – Cygnet Health Care.
Social Care Star Award
Winner: Hartnell’s Café
Organisation: Cygnet Social Care
Hartnell’s Café is a new social enterprise 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, helping them build confidence and give back to the local community.
Other finalists:
- Robert – Cygnet Scotland Drama Group – Cygnet Social Care
- Beacon House – Cygnet Social Care
- Daniel – Lived Experience Work – Priory Group
- Kieran – Cygnet Social Care
The person that won the service user choice vote was Kieran – Cygnet Social Care.
Mark Britton People’s Choice Award
Overall Winner: 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.