Every Voice Patient Partners shortlisted in the National Lived Experience Awards

Published on: 14th August 2024

We are pleased to announce that our Every Voice Patient Partners have been shortlisted as finalists in both the Outstanding Leadership and the Innovation in Recovery categories of this year's National Lived Experience Awards.

The Outstanding Leadership category is to recognise groups and individuals with living and lived experience of mental health needs, learning disabilities or autism, who have driven projects forward and shown the qualities of an outstanding leader. It is for those who have inspired others, from service to a national level.

The Innovation in Recovery category is for projects that are innovative and unique; that haven’t been seen before within services. They should be supportive of recovery, whilst showing a creative or original point of view.

The finalist nomination for the Outstanding Leadership category is for their work as Patient Partners, recognising their hard work and determination to ensure the voice of lived experience is heard throughout the Trust and their innovative projects and initiatives to hear their peers' voices and instigate change to improve patient experience.

The finalist nomination for the Innovation in Recovery category is for Dragons’ DeNHS, offering patients across all services to bid for charity monies to make changes within their service to improve the experience of those accessing it. They were supported in this initiative by the Trust Board and it offered the opportunity for some thought provoking discussions and learning.

Louise Bannister, Every Voice Guardian, said:

“We are so proud of our Patient Partners. Each one gives 110% to their role and are always striving to make a difference and ensure the voice of lived experience is heard at all levels in the Trust. The fact that thy have been recognised nationally is testament to their hard work, dedication and passion."

Every day, people accessing mental health, learning disability and autism services nationwide, are achieving great things. The National Lived Experience Awards are designed to celebrate these achievements, big and small, and share success stories that have been made possible on a local and national level.

This year will see the 13th ceremony take place at Doncaster Racecourse on 24 September, with a Black Tie Glitz and Glam theme. The event is organised and hosted by patients from services across the country. Some of our own patients are involved in this year's awards, helping to organise the event and judge those that have been nominated.

Below are a number of quotes from our Patient Partners on hearing about being shortlisted. 

Cassie, Patient Partner, said:

"I am immensely proud and overjoyed to find out we are finalists in the National Lived Experience Awards. I am overjoyed that our efforts to speak up, affect change and advocate on our peer's behalf has been recognised at a national level."

Millie, Patient Partner, added:

“I am honoured to be recognised for the hard work me and my team have put in over the past 6 months since I joined LPFT. I am so excited to celebrate our collaborated effort - having our work recognised is surreal.”

Joshua, Patient Partner, commented:

“I’m just speechless, so happy though."

Michelle, Patient Partner, said:

“This is amazing. I am so proud and it shows I have worked hard being the patient's voice, which I have a passion for.

"I really enjoy being a patient partner because I can speak for the patients on the ward their input is valuable - I make sure their voice is heard. Being a patient partner gives me confidence to strive forward and I like being responsible for the Vales patient voice."

Caroline, Patient Partner, added:

“I am proud of all the Every Voice Patient Partners. Thank you to Lou Bannister and the Dragons. I attended the National Lived Experience Awards last year as a service user judge and I am excited to attend as a double finalist!” 

More information about the awards can be found at https://www.livedexperienceawards.org/.

A massive congratulations for everyone involved.