Next Steps Salford nominated for award in ‘Welcoming’ category
A Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) service has been nominated for a national award for its exceptional service to service users.
Next Steps Salford is among those named for a National Insight Award in the ‘Welcoming’ category, a prestigious recognition celebrating teams and organisations that create inclusive, compassionate environments for people facing social disadvantage.
Next Steps is part of a wider initiative within GMMH’s Addictions Division, operating in three areas co-located within Achieve, which delivers substance use treatment and recovery services in Salford, Bolton and Bury.
Achieve focuses on improving health and social outcomes through collaborative work with mental health services, criminal justice agencies and third-sector organisations. Next Steps focuses on peer-led support.
Next Steps Salford’s nomination is a testament to its grassroots approach and the warmth of its community. The initiative is facilitated by Chloe, Mark and John who use their lived experience to ensure empathy and authenticity are at the heart of every interaction. Whether through drop-in sessions, community groups, wellbeing walks or simply offering a listening ear, the team consistently foster a culture of belonging.
This nomination places Next Steps Salford among a select group of changemakers across the UK who are being honoured for their commitment to lived experience-led practice. Known for its peer-led support and community-driven ethos, the Next Steps Networks have become a vital space for individuals facing challenges around recovery from addiction, including social isolation and wider well-being needs.
Hayley McGowan, Associate Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “Congratulations to the entire team for being shortlisted for the national Insight Award! This is a remarkable achievement and reflects the incredible work and dedication of everyone involved. It's fantastic to see the power and importance of peer support recognised on such a significant platform. Well done, team!”
Sarah-Jane Truman, Head of Community Development, said: “Next Steps Salford being nominated for the ‘Welcoming’ category reflects the care and commitment our teams bring every day. We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe and valued, and this recognition affirms that our approach is making a real difference.”
About the National Insight Awards
Now in its 10th year, the National Insight Awards are hosted by Expert Citizens CIC, a social enterprise based in Stoke-on-Trent. The awards celebrate excellence in public involvement and lived experience leadership across five categories: Welcoming, Listening, Learning, Leading and Volunteering.
The awards are co-produced with communities and organisations across the UK to highlight best practice in engaging people with lived experience of issues such as homelessness, addiction, mental ill-health, and the justice system. Each category reflects a stage in the INSIGHT Quality Recognition Framework, which encourages continuous improvement in how services involve and empower people.
The ‘Welcoming’ category specifically honours organisations that create safe, inclusive, and person-centred environments where individuals feel genuinely seen, heard, and respected from the moment they engage.
Looking Ahead
The winners of the National Insight Awards will be announced at a ceremony held at the University of Staffordshire’s Catalyst Building on 26 November 2025, where over 200 delegates, speakers, and community leaders will gather to celebrate lived experience leadership.
Next Steps Salford’s nomination not only highlights its local impact but also positions it as a national example of how welcoming spaces can transform lives.
For more information go here https://expertcitizens.org.uk/insight-awards-2025/
Follow Next Steps Salford here https://www.facebook.com/NextStepsSalford/
If you live in Bolton or Bury you can access information and support here
https://www.facebook.com/nextstepsbolton and https://www.facebook.com/NextStepsBury
Alternatively email nextsteps@gmmh.nhs.uk if you have an enquiry or would like to refer somebody to become a member and take their own ‘next steps’ in addiction recovery.
