The awards have been running since 2013. The awards are not just a ceremony, but a powerful platform that highlights stories of courage, determination, and success. A core part of the awards is the Lived Experience Events Team, a group of service users and residents who are involved in planning every aspect of the event, from award categories to venue decoration and entertainment.
This year’s awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, with a special thanks to Cielo Costa, our Headline Sponsor.
Additional sponsors include:
- Sustainable Advantage
- Central Computers
- Delaware
- Cyber One
- Audience Link
- Blue Leaf
- My Purchasing Partner
- U Energy Group
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mark Britton People’s Choice Award
Winner: Andrew
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Andrew’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.
Thank you to all our finalists, nominees, presenters, performers, and our generous sponsors who made this event a success. We look forward to celebrating more incredible achievements next year.
Interested in being a part of the 2026 awards?
If you have any ideas for the next awards or want to get your service involved, please contact [email protected].
To view the full gallery from the 2025 awards, and see all of the nominees and winners, please click here.