The awards, which are organised by services users and residents with support from the Cygnet Events Team, celebrate and recognise the different number of service user projects that have made a difference at a local level in both NHS and private mental health, autism and learning disability services nationwide.
To submit a nomination please complete the online nomination form by visiting the link below. The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday 20th June 2025.
Categories for 2025
- Leadership Award This category is for 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 a leader. It is for those who have inspired others, from service to a national level.
- Celebrating Diversity Award Recognising individual’s or group projects that are working to not only spread awareness and encourage acceptance, but to strive for all of our differences to be celebrated. These projects may focus on diversity of any kind, including cultural, neuro-diversity, gender identity and more.
- Hope and Positivity Award Recognises the power of small actions making a big difference. This award recognises individuals that are consistently looking out for others and spreading hope and positivity.
- Individual Progress Award This award celebrates an individual with lived experience who has made remarkable progress on their personal journey. It’s about recognising the strength it takes to keep going, the small steps that lead to big change.
- Community and Collaboration Award Together we want to recognise projects that have brought communities, teams, families, carers and / or services together. We would like to hear about teamwork and outreach.
- Social Care Star Award This category recognises individuals, groups, or services, within a social care setting, who have shown exceptional commitment to co-production, working in equal partnership with people who have lived experience to shape meaningful involvement.
- Mark Britton Service User Choice Award Awarded on the day. Guests will have the opportunity to vote for a runner up in each category, leaving five projects for a final vote at the end of the day. The award is named in memory of Mark Britton, to commemorate the life of an individual who was key to the awards in previous years and who sadly passed away in July 2019.
Please note that all entries must be co-produced with service users or residents as a minimum, any entries for projects delivered by staff will not be accepted.
“The awards are amazing, from start to finish. I’ve just been glued to the stage. Watching all the different people and the different events and things that they have done kind of inspires me. And it has given me ideas that I would like to take back.” Events team member
Key Dates
Finalists will be invited to our exclusive awards ceremony taking place on Tuesday 23rd September at Colwick Hall in Nottingham.
Deadline for nominations is Friday 20th June.
Judging will take place on Thursday 24th July.
Finalists will be notified by Thursday 31st July.
Further information
We encourage as many services to get involved in the Awards so please do share this information with service users, residents and colleagues.
If you have any questions about nominating or the awards in general, please contact us on [email protected]