Outstanding care, compassion and commitment celebrated at 17th annual Staff Awards

The outstanding care, dedication and compassion of staff, partners and volunteers has been celebrated at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s 17^th annual Staff Awards.

More than 160 people attended the event, held at Reigate Manor Hotel on 14 May, including Councillor Rich Michalowski, Mayor Elect of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.

The awards celebrated outstanding work from across the trust’s specialist mental health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services. There were 12 award categories including Employee of the Year for each of our five divisions, and a Special Award for a Carer or Person with Lived Experience. This recognises the significant contribution of people who have used our services in the work of the trust.

Speaking at the event, Graham Wareham, Chief Executive of Surrey and Borders Partnership said: “This event is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on the incredible hard work and commitment that goes into supporting the people of Surrey and North East Hampshire.

“I’m delighted to celebrate the creativity and innovation taking place across the trust to improve and develop what we do.”

This year, 380 award nominations were made by staff, partner organisations and people who use our services and their carers. Entries were scored by an independent panel which included trust directors and governors. Winners received Gold, Silver or Bronze awards.

Team of the Year was awarded to Rosewood, a care home in Charlwood for people who have a learning disability and physical health needs. The Rosewood team was nominated for their dedication to providing residents with a stimulating environment and access to fun activities. The team also helps residents maintain positive relationships with their families. Nominations for Rosewood came from staff, residents and family members, all praising the team for their compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to person-centred care.

One nominator said: “The staff have gone above and beyond to make my life richer and more fulfilling and enabled me to experience some truly special moments. 2024 was a fantastic year for me, filled with opportunities to connect with family, participate in meaningful activities, and enjoy unforgettable outings. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the team, I was able to visit my family every week, a joy that means the world to me.”

Clinician of the Year went to Angela Dhanda, Clinical Lead for Adult Mental Health Services. The award recognised Angela’s dedication to supporting the recovery of the people who use our services. Angela is known for her exceptional leadership, motivational approach, and commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality support.

She said: “This award provides recognition and validation of my work and I have had so much positive feedback as a result of winning.”

Employee of the Year in our Learning Disability and Neurodiversity Services went to Carla Withers Community Learning Disabilities in our Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities East. Carla was nominated for her groundbreaking work providing sex and relationship education for people with a learning disability across East Surrey.

She said: “I am deeply committed to my work in supporting and educating people with learning disabilities around sex and relationships. I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in the year ahead with the support of my team.

Among those recognised was Irene Wilson, Clinical Nurse Specialist for i-Access West, part of our drug and alcohol support and recovery service. Irene was awarded a silver Clinician of the Year award and was nominated for leading led the implementation, running, and evaluation of the first long-acting opioid substitution clinic in Surrey.

One nominator said: “Irene is a pillar of our team. She is dedicated to the spirit of the NHS!”