The Only National Awards For Non-Medical / Non-Clinical NHS Staff & Volunteers

Buckinghamshire Healthcare’s volunteer gardeners are a lovely team with varying skills and
expertise, rejuvenating outdoor spaces into beautiful, calming and nature friendly spaces for
patients, their families, and colleagues to enjoy. There is much research on how nature and
outside spaces enhances wellbeing and reduces hospital length of stay.

The team at Blackpool is recognised by the NHS as a pioneer in managing digital identity.
They have been developing a blueprint for other organisations to adopt their approach to
managing users’ systems access through on-boarding, changing roles, and leaving, while
maintaining security and minimising barriers to patient care.

The team of domestics have been working under significant pressures over the last 12
months to continue to support a very busy clinical service. They have shown an exceptional
level of resilience at a time of great change to their management structures and
employment. They have done this by going the extra mile at every possible opportunity to
make the patient experience the best it can possibly be and bringing laughter and fun to the
bedside each day.

The team’s unwavering dedication and innovative approach enables them to produce
creative and engaging information and content, that positively impacts healthcare in the
areas they operate in. They proudly serve the Trust, elevating the NELFT voice and making
a sometimes unsung and unnoticed impact that contributes to healthier staff and
communities.

The Neurosciences Admin Team works closely together to ensure that targets are met and
always do so with a smile. The team faced a significant challenge this year, following the
loss of their Directorate Manager, John Chatwin. The closeness of the team is testament to
how they faced this challenge together.

Carys always goes the extra mile naturally. Her caring behaviour has a positive, long-term
impact on her work colleagues and all those she interacts with, helping to initiate overall
fundamental change.

In her day-to-day role Alana is a key point of contact for patients, relatives, and staff. It would
have been easy to just serve a customer and move on, but Alana noticed that they needed
some extra care and compassion, which made a huge difference to him during a very
difficult time. Alana is a kind and compassionate member of the team, and she embodies the
spirit and values of the NHS.

Damien constantly champions data, providing a valuable perspective to drive innovation,
improvement, and tackle Health Inequalities for our services and patients.

Lynne leads the 100+ Epsom and St Helier volunteer force with huge energy and always
leads by example. During COVID she was instrumental in ‘Letters for Loved Ones’, putting
herself at risk reading families’ messages to patients. She is a Respect Champion, a Culture
Champion and contactable 24/7 to all volunteers. Lynne works far beyond her job
description, such as escorting anxious patients to appointments, calming them on the way.

The team are proud to work with Ann on the Patient Panel at Princess Alexandra Hospital in
Harlow. Ann’s devotion to helping and recognising others, together with her boundless
creativity and energy has made the Panel a significant force in the hospital’s day to day life,
and has been recognised by many, including the Care Quality Commission.

The inaugural UHA Special Recognition Award 2024 was presented on
the night to the top five Trusts for their outstanding support of their non-
medical and non-clinical staff across their own organisations and
significant contribution to the celebration of all Unsung Heroes.
The 2024 Trusts are:

• Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
• Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
• Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
• Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust