We are NELFT Awards
We are NELFT awards shortlist announced
A big thank you to everyone who took the time to submit nominations for the We Are NELFT Awards 2026, this year we have had a record number of nominations!
Our nominations are now closed for We are NELFT Awards 2026, and we are so pleased to share our shortlist with you.
Our shortlist
Compassionate Care
Compassionate Care
Celebrating individuals who demonstrate safe, high-quality, and compassionate care in our wards and communities.
- Julie Ashdown, Perinatal Parent Infant Mental Health Service and Diane Bruce, Maternal Mental Health Service
- Gail Nicoll, Redbridge Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
- Dr Jermaine Bamfo, Barking & Dagenham Early Intervention in Psychosis Service
- Tolulope Adebayo, Children's Occupational Therapy
- Chris Mace, Children’s Community Nursing Team
EDI Hero
EDI Hero
Honouring those who champion equity, equality and promote inclusion across NELFT.
- Nadine Price, Podiatry (West) Waltham Forest
- Hilary Toulmin, Barking & Dagenham - Neurodevelopmental Services
- Dr Sarkis Garjarian, Waltham Forest, Community Learning Disabilities Team
- AHP Leadership Students
- Colin Igbokwe (Digital Licence Lead), Information and Communication Technology
Innovation and Improvement
Innovation and Improvement
Recognising those who have introduced new ideas, improved services or driven meaningful change for patients and colleagues.
- The Library and Knowledge Team
- The Digital Medicines Team (EPMA Team)
- Catheter Crisis Team
- Clinical Pharmacy Team
- Daniel Stockwell, Barking and Dagenham Mental Health and Wellness Team
Leadership
Leadership
Celebrating inspirational leaders who empower others, encourage excellence and lead with integrity and care.
- Strelle St Hill, Brookside
- Simelia Afroz, SET CAMHS
- Saleh Ahmed, Urgent Treatment – Whipps Cross
- Alison Gray, Children’s Speech and Language Therapy
- Colette Avery, Havering 0-19 Services
Lifetime Achievement
Lifetime Achievement
Honouring individuals whose sustained contribution and commitment have left a lasting legacy at NELFT.
- Wayne Palmer, Brooksides’ Young People’s Home Treatment Team
- Stephen Singh-Khakhian, Medical Devices Team
- Alison Gray, Children’s Speech and Language Therapy
- Julie Young, Nutrition and Dietetics
- Jeanette Branchflower, Havering Mental Health and Wellbeing Team (North)
Patient and Carer Leadership
Patient and Carer Leadership
Recognising those who have empowered patients and carers to ensure that their voices are heard and used to help shape services.
- Raymond Hughes, Involvement Team
- Lesley Finlayson, Involvement Team
- Sunflowers & Goodmayes Café Team
- Sandra Aina, Involvement TeaM
- Maggie Houlihan, Involvement Team
Patient Safety
Patient Safety
Celebrating individuals and teams who show a commitment to learning, accountability, and safer outcomes for our patients.
- The Digital Medicines Team (EPMA Team)
- Catherine Lund, Quality and Patient Safety
- Clinical Pharmacy Team
- Pharmacy Medicines Safety
- Rebecca Rowley, Patient Safety
Patient, Service Users and Carer Choice
Patient, Service Users and Carer Choice
Nominated by those we look after and care for, this award celebrates nominees who have made a lasting positive impact on the lives and experiences of our patients, service users and their carers.
- Dental & Oral-Maxillofacial Team
- Christopher Harris, Psychological Services
- Dr Amanda Jones, Perinatal Parent Infant Mental Health Service
- Karen Merrin, Talking Therapies
- Hazel Gibbons, Involvement Team
Rising Star
Rising Star
Recognising emerging talent and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional potential within their first year at NELFT.
- Wasam Tarar, Pharmacy
- Simone Dawkins, Waltham Forest Mental Health and Wellbeing Team (North)
- Abdul Hasan, Medical Staffing Team
- Anam Majid, Pharmacy Team
- Stella Nwapa, ARD Mental Health Occupational Therapy
Unsung Hero
Unsung Hero
Recognising non-clinical colleagues who go above and beyond every day.
- Bernadette Duffy, Waltham Forest Management Team
- Barbara Jennings, Learning Disability Transformation Project Team
- Michelle Page, Phlebotomy Team
- Kirsty Scottow, Castle Point Rocford and Southend CAMHS
Working in Partnership
Working in Partnership
For those who champion collaboration that achieves positive outcomes with partners and communities.
- Community Learning Disabilities Team (Barking & Dagenham)
- Redbridge Pre & Post Birth Team
- Clinical Pharmacy Team and Havering Home Treatment Team
- Nadine Price (Diabetic Foot Virtual MDT)
- MASH Health Team (Waltham Forest)
Non-Clinical Team of the Year
Non-Clinical Team of the Year
Recognising non-clinical teams whose work plays a crucial role in our everyday delivery and how we make a difference.
- Sunflowers & Goodmayes Café Team
- Recruitment Team
- Medical Devices Team
- ARD Business Support Team
- Redeployment Team
Clinical Team of the Year
Clinical Team of the Year
Recognising teams that consistently deliver outstanding clinical care and whose quality care shows clear and tangible difference for patient outcomes.
- Waltham Forest Memory Service
- Redbridge Looked After Children’s Nursing Team
- Urgent Community Response Team
- Intensive Rehabilitation (IRS) Service Team
- Community Rehabilitation Service