Award categories and criteria

Greater Manchester Champions Awards 2023
National Football Museum

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham presented four individuals with his Mayor’s Special Recognition Award, which celebrates a contribution to health and care that is truly unique.

• Barbara Lambert, Volunteer Chair of League of Friends, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,
• Jill Dodge, Administrator, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust,
• Mary Armstrong, Director, Ferrol Lodge Care Home, Sale and
• Brenda Buckley, Receptionist, Lockside Medical Centre, Stalybridge

Collectively, they have over 230 years of experience between them of working in health and care and serving the communities of Greater Manchester. They were recognised on the night for dedicating not only their working lives, but their later lives to helping care for others.

This award recognises a health or care employer or workplace that has gone the extra mile to improve their employment/workplace practices for the benefit of their workforce.

• The organisation employs or manages a workforce that delivers health and care services in Greater Manchester
• They are committed to creating a culture where people feel listened to and that their wellbeing matters
• They have implemented new employment practices in the last year which have had a positive impact on their workforce

2023’s winner is:

• Dr Nikesh Vallabh, Dr Krzysztof Misterek and Dr Charlotte Luke, GP Partners at Hawkley Brook Medical Practice, Wigan

Those shortlisted were:

• Dr Nikesh Vallabh, Dr Krzysztof Misterek and Dr Charlotte Luke, GP Partners at Hawkley Brook Medical Practice, Wigan
• Viaduct Care, Stockport
• PossAbilities CIC, Heywood

This award recognises an individual or a team that leads a community-based project that is really making a difference.

• They are part of a community-based project working in Greater Manchester to improve the health and wellbeing of others
• Their commitment to improving the lives of their community is what sets them apart

2023’s winner is:

• Craig Henderson, Company Director, Craig’s Barber Shop, Bolton

Those shortlisted were:

• Craig Henderson, Company Director, Craig’s Barber Shop, Bolton
• Daryll Duncan, Volunteer Support Worker, Proud and Loud Arts, Salford
• Shared Lives Carers, PossAbilities CIC, Heywood

This award recognises an individual that is committed to their learning and uses it to improve the way they work and support their team.

• They have demonstrated a commitment to their learning and are always thinking about how they can share their learning with others
• They have used their learning to improve the care or services they provide

*This award is open to apprentices, students or those undertaking continued professional development, or have completed their learning in the last six months.

2023’s winner is:

• Amy Wilcox-Jones, Trainee Nursing Associate, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

Those shortlisted were:

• Amy Wilcox-Jones, Trainee Nursing Associate, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
• Anna Wynn, Reception Team Leader, Outpatients, Salford Royal, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
• Poppy Wall-Chappell, Secretary Apprentice at The Docs

Volunteers play an integral role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the people of Greater Manchester, and this award recognises the contribution of individuals and teams of volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution to their communities.

• They have gone over and above to make a significant difference to the lives of service users, patients, carers or staff and other volunteers
• They demonstrate an outstanding commitment and enthusiasm to their role as a volunteer.

2023’s winner is:

• Brett Clayton, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Bury Involvement Group

Those shortlisted were:

• Brett Clayton, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Bury Involvement Group
• Shaun Bamford, Dining Companion Volunteer, Oldham Hospital, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
• Frank Grenfell, Volunteer, PossAbilities CIC, Heywood

This award recognises an individual who has shown strong leadership at any level – driving positive change for the benefit of others.

• They have demonstrated leadership in supporting their team or those around them
• They inspire people to come together and work towards achieving something that makes a difference
• They look beyond organisational boundaries and see the potential of their colleagues to support the broader system.

2023’s winner is:

• Loren Grant, Director, Eat Well Get Well CIC, Manchester

Those shortlisted were:

• Loren Grant, Director, Eat Well Get Well CIC, Manchester
• Karen Maneely, North Network Director of Operations for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and Jane Curran, Detective Chief Inspector, Strategic Mental Health Lead for Greater Manchester Police
• Audrey Howarth, Screening and Immunisation Manager, NHS England (embedded in NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care)

This award recognises an individual or team whose ideas or innovation resulted in a positive change for others.

• They have used their initiative to provide an innovative solution to a problem or change the way they work to produce instant benefits
• They have looked beyond organisational boundaries in delivering innovation that offers the maximum benefits
• They are not afraid of challenging ways of working and thinking about things differently

2023’s winner is:

• Digital Content Team, PossAbilities CIC

Those shortlisted were:

• DAD PCN Health and Wellbeing Team, Denton, Audenshaw and Droylsden Primary Care Network
• Deb Jolly, Commissioning Officer, Trafford Council
• Digital Content Team, PossAbilities CIC

This award is for an individual or team who has helped improve the psychological, physical and practical wellbeing of those they work with.

• They champion good wellbeing in the workplace at every opportunity and help raise awareness with those around them
• They have either directly or indirectly helped improve the health and wellbeing of those they work with

2023’s winner is:

• Alexia Mitton, Assistant Director Communications & Engagement (Wigan), NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care

Those shortlisted were:

• John Newton, Aftercare Worker, Trafford Council
• Alexia Mitton, Assistant Director Communications & Engagement (Wigan), NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care
• Aishah Khatun, Safe Staffing Lead, Safer Staffing Team, Rochdale Care Organisation

This award is for an individual or team who is committed to breaking down barriers and challenging inequalities.

• They aren’t afraid to challenge inequality and their action/s have had a demonstrable impact on the experience of others
• They are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they are represented and that they have a voice
• They continue to champion equality, diversity and inclusion at every opportunity

2023’s winner is:

• Lily Huggins, Assistant Head of Operational Development (Advocacy), Gaddum

Those shortlisted were:

• Eve Hirst, Junior Doctor, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
• Laura Lyons, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Grosvenor Medical Centre, Stalybridge
• Lily Huggins, Assistant Head of Operational Development (Advocacy), Gaddum

This award recognises an individual who is new to their role and has already demonstrated the potential to go far. This award is open to all individuals who have started their new role since January 2021.

• They are not afraid to bring positive challenge to how the team or service works, leading to genuine quality improvements
• They are committed to continuous personal and professional development
• They are committed to their role and to continuing to improve the health and wellbeing of others in Greater Manchester

2023’s winner is:

• Nabila Noori, Care Coordinator, gtd healthcare

Those shortlisted were:

• Nabila Noori, Care Coordinator, gtd healthcare
• Tom Mullen, Receptionist, The Energise Centre, Salford
• Beverley Burns, Senior Support Worker, Bolton Cares Group

Greater Manchester Champions Awards 2023
National Football Museum

This award recognises where multiple teams, organisations or agencies have come together to make a powerful impact through their work.

• The collaboration is made up of people who do not normally work together
• The team came together and used their innovation and initiative to make a difference
• They utilised the skills of their team to deliver their outcome

2023’s winner is:

• Mental Health joint response services across Greater Manchester (led by Karen Maneely, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Debbie Robinson, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Jane Curran, Greater Manchester Police)

Those shortlisted were:

• Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) (led by Dr Kate Swist-Szulik, Consultant Paediatric Intensivist), Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital,
• Mental Health joint response services across Greater Manchester (led by Karen Maneely, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Debbie Robinson, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Jane Curran, Greater Manchester Police)
• Bury Carers’ Hub and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

This award recognises the role played by our People Professionals in supporting our workforce.

• The individual works in the People Profession in health and care in Greater Manchester, including human resources, organisational development, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, staff benefits or learning and development
• They are not afraid to challenge the way things are done and are committed to innovative people practices
• They have gone over and above in their role to support our health and care workforce and improve their experience at work

2023’s winner is:

• Richard Fontana, Strategic Human Resources Lead – Health and Safety, Trafford Council

Those shortlisted were:

• Julie Wilson, Vocational Learning Facilitator, Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
• Laura Wolstenholme, Head of People and Communications, Persona Care and Support Ltd, Bury
• Richard Fontana, Strategic Human Resources Lead – Health and Safety, Trafford Council

Chosen by the public and recognising an individual/team for their commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of others.

• They put the health and wellbeing of others at the heart of everything they do
• They are committed to treating those they care for with dignity and respect, and to providing a positive health and care experience
• They treat everyone they care for as an individual, providing personalised care that promotes choice and independence

2023’s winner is:

• Donna Bannister, Support Worker, Making Space, Manchester

Those shortlisted were:

• Donna Bannister, Support Worker, Making Space, Manchester
• Andy Officer, Community Connector, Wellbeing Matters, Salford
• Cared for Children’s Team Tameside, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care Foundation Trust

Greater Manchester Champions Awards 2023
National Football Museum

This award recognises an individual who has dedicated their working life to making a difference in our health and care system.

• They have worked in health and care in Greater Manchester for 20 years or more (in one or multiple roles)
• They have made significant and lasting contribution to our health and care system

2023’s winner is:

• Prof Stephen Playfor, Consultant Paediatric Intensivist, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Those shortlisted were:

• Prof Stephen Playfor, Consultant Paediatric Intensivist, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
• Trevor Warburton, Chair of Greater Manchester Local Optical Committee.
• Val Bayliss-Brideaux, Head of Engagement (Manchester), NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care