Publish date: 20 May 2022

Outstanding mental health staff recognised in annual awards ceremony

Excellence and outstanding care have been recognised across Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) NHS Trust, as staff came together for the AWP Annual Awards presented by actor and comedian, Bill Bailey.

Staff attended a special online ceremony on Friday 21st May to celebrate the exceptional dedication and commitment of those working to support people with serious mental illness across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Throughout the ceremony, 13 awards were presented in categories including Compassionate Care, Everyday Excellence, Putting Patients First, and Professional Excellence.

Charlotte Hitchings, Chair of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) NHS Trust, said: “The past year has presented yet another challenging time for many of us, particularly those working in the NHS and those in need of our care and support.

“The AWP Annual Awards provide a fantastic opportunity to recognise just how hard our staff work to continually support each other, our patients, families and carers. Our congratulations go to all staff members who were nominated and to all those who received an award for their remarkable achievements.”

Nominations for this year’s awards were received from staff, patients, service users, families and carers.

This year’s winners are:

Category

Winner

Compassionate Care
For showing extraordinary compassion to meet the individual needs of patients, carers and families

Shaun Pike, Mental Health Assistant, Wiltshire Services

Empowering and Inclusive Practice
For driving equality, diversity and inclusion

Monalisa Bora-White, Lead Research Practitioner, Research & Development

Everyday Excellence

For going beyond the expectations of their role to support patients, service users, families and carers

Stanislav Cernejsek, Nursing Assistant, Wiltshire Services

Involvee of the Year

For improving the wellbeing of patients and service users by working collaboratively with staff to co-produce improvements at AWP

Ben Stunell, Involvee, Coproduction & Involvement Workers

Leader of the Year

For demonstrating exceptional leadership skills to drive and support the ambition of the organisation to be outstanding

Gemma Gowing, Clinical Lead, BNSSG Complex Emotional Needs Service

Lifetime Achievement Award

For being a true role model, demonstrating AWP values and mentoring others to achieve the highest standards

Adrian Bolster, Associate Director of EFM & Support Services, Operations Directorate

Making a Difference

For providing an exceptional level of support and leadership to enable our services to deliver effective and safe care

Paul Reade, Clerical officer, Estates & Facilities Management

Professional Excellence

For demonstrating exceptional improvement to an area of clinical care or services

Anastasia Blaize, Patient and Carer Experience Manager, NQD

Putting Patients First

For embodying and embracing patient-centred care

Carly North-Longley, Community Mental Health Nurse, Wiltshire Services

Rising Star

For demonstrating a willingness to learn, share their thoughts and experiences within their team or service when new in role

Sophie Phillips, Community Psychiatric Nurse, South Gloucestershire Services

Volunteer of the Year

For selflessly volunteering their time and energy to support services, often going the extra mile and showing a real commitment to the work they do

Eve White and Henry, Volunteer, Coproduction & Involvement Workers

Learner of the Year

For making a difference to the quality of services, patient care or experience through their learning

Jane Brown, OT Apprentice, Bristol Services

Quality Improvement and Innovation

For involvement in quality improvement or innovation for the benefit of patients or services

Climate Emergency Group

Dominic Hardisty, Chief Executive for Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) NHS Trust, said: “There has been a huge sense of celebration at this year’s annual awards. The incredible stories shared this evening have all focused on the determination, devotion, commitment, and resilience among our staff who clearly take great pride in the work they do for our community.

“The people who work at AWP are central to our delivery of high quality services, and I am extremely proud of every member of staff for their dedication to improving the lives of others every day.”