Following the fantastic success of last year's event, the Every Voice People Awards are returning for a second year, thanks to external funding.
Organised by our Every Voice Patient Partners, we are using World Mental Health Day as a celebration of everything people using our services have achieved and look forward to inviting all our finalists to a celebration event on Friday 10 October.
The awards are open to anyone currently using, or who has previously used our services, as well as carers or family members of people who use our services too - the important thing is they have lived or learnt experience.
If you know someone that has made big strides in their own recovery, helped someone else to recover, or just used their experience to improve services for others, we want to hear from you.
Nominations are now open and we encourage as many people as possible to take part. It doesn't matter which service, what people have achieved - big or small - the point is you feel they deserve recognition!
We want our awards to be a celebration of people and the positive impact that lived or learnt experience has to instil hope and inspire recovery.
Nominations are open between now and 4 July.
To make a nomination simply use this link to our online nomination form.
Award categories in 2025 include:
Making a difference inpatient services
Celebrating patient led activities and projects that are making a difference on our inpatient wards.
Last year's winner: Every Voice Patient Partners – Come Dine with Us.
The Patient Partners developed the ‘Come Dine with Us’ initiative, involving the Board and senior leaders in experiencing ward meals for themselves. They ate with patients and chatted about people’s experiences and as part of this identified a number of areas for improvement which are now being implemented.
Making a difference community services
Celebrating projects and initiatives led by those with Lived and Learnt Experience to make a difference in community services and the wider communities of Lincolnshire.
Last year's winner: Simon Kettle
Simon is the lead Peer Support Worker in the Early Intervention in Psychosis service and is an asset to the service in many ways. He is described as one of the most compassionate, caring people, who always offers a person-centred approach to the people he supports.
He shows that recovery is achievable and has been a vocal champion for the role of peer support workers across LPFT.
Innovation award
This category is to recognise patients who have demonstrated new ideas and different ways of doing things to make a difference to other patients in the community or on the wards.
Last year's winner: Jenni Swift
Jenni and her family have been inspirational in making a lasting difference in memory of their daughter, Evelyn. She has worked tirelessly with children and young people services to improve the help and support young people and their families receive. Jenni has been heavily involved in the ongoing transformation of local services, as well as their own campaign “Evelyn’s Butterfly Effect” which is promoting connection and social change around mental health in young people.
Acts of kindness award
This award celebrates the small acts of kindness by patients that have made a difference to others in our services.
Last year's winner: Andrew Page
Andrew has completed cooking qualifications and every Saturday he cooks a meal for fellow patients on the Fens. He is always looking for different recipes and cooking food from different cultures to introduce people to a wide range of cuisines. He also bakes for the Every Voice group each month
Individual recovery award
This award is to recognise often small steps that patients have achieved as part of their recovery journeys.
Last year's winner: Andrew Brown
Andrew received a number of nominations from both staff and peers on Francis Willis Unit, commending him for his hard work in his recovery. After being admitted to the ward very unwell both physically and mentally, Andrew has made substantial progress and he is moving well towards his recovery goals.
As part of the celebration all finalists will also be considered for our 'Service user judges' choice award'
Finalists for this award are chosen by our external service user judges from all of the finalist nominations as the person or team that stands out most to them and they feel should receive extra recognition. The overall winner is then chosen by our Chief Nursing Officer.
Last year's winner: Craig Otter
Craig has worked as a patient volunteer at Discovery House Café in Lincoln for some time. He is described as hard working and polite and friendly to customers. He always goes out of his way to support others going to volunteer at the café and puts them at ease in their role. He is passionate about what he does with the café and is a great model to others on the ward.
Top tips for making a nomination
1.Keep it short and simple… we have lots of amazing nominations and we don’t want anyone missing out!
2.In the full overview, make sure to give information on how your project is patient driven and how your project impacted your team.
3. Include a good description. We want to hear all about your project and fully understand your vision.
4. We want to follow along with the process of your project and celebrate the results with you, so include photos/videos/extra documents if you can.
5. Make sure not to include any patient names on your forms. Use initials or reference
patient/service user.
6. How has your project impacted patients? Show us by including quotes/comments/pictures.
If you would like more information about the awards or support to make a nomination please contact:
Louise Bannister, Every Voice Patient Guardian on louise.bannister7@nhs.net or call 07754556459
Or Millie Cave, Every Voice Project Support on millie.cave@nhs.net
