The GMMH Stars Awards 2026 shortlist revealed! | News and Events

Recognises a clinical team that has demonstrated exceptional care and compassion in patient care, significantly impacting patient outcomes.

• Children & Young People – Crisis Team

The Children & Young People Crisis Team takes a progressive, patient-focused approach to improving care for children and young people. By adapting established pathways and bringing teams together around a shared goal, they reduce waiting times and help young people avoid unnecessary visits to A&E. Their strong communication and collaboration across CAMHS ensure children and young people receive the right support throughout their care journey. 

• HMP Risley – Integrated Mental Health Team

The Integrated Mental Health Team at HMP Risley supports some of the most marginalised people in our care, many of whom have highly complex psychological needs and histories. Despite working within a challenging environment, the team provides an exceptional standard of mental health care, with a recent CQC inspection describing the service as the ‘benchmark’ for mental health services in Health and Justice. 

• Spring Ward, North View

Spring Ward creates an inspiring culture of compassion, teamwork and collaboration that is recognised by patients, colleagues and students alike. Patients praise the team for their determination to support them through difficult times, while student nurses describe the ward as an invaluable learning environment and hope to emulate their practice throughout their own careers. 

A learner who shows commitment to learning and growth, while also demonstrating care and compassion in their interactions with service users, carers, and colleagues. This individual has been a learner within the past 12 months or is currently a student or trainee.

• Ashleigh Grindey, Advanced Practitioner, Keats Ward, Meadowbrook Unit

Ashleigh demonstrates how learning can be embedded into day-to-day practice while also helping to improve the wider service around her. Her passion for her role is reflected in her commitment to developing her knowledge, sharing learning and continually looking for opportunities to make care even better. 

• Francesca Cottam, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Wigan Community CAMHS

Francesca displays a strong commitment to learning and role modelling within her day-to-day work, while continually looking for opportunities to improve the service around her. Her nomination highlights the passion she brings to her role and her commitment to translating learning into better practice. 

• Thomas Dinoff, Clinical Psychologist, Specialist Community Forensic Team

Thomas has an exceptional commitment to his learning alongside his clinical responsibilities, research activity and support for colleagues. The significant amount of work he invests in his development reflects his dedication not only to his own learning, but to his service, his team and helping others to grow alongside him. 

An apprentice who shows dedication to learning and growth, alongside care and compassion in their interactions with service users, carers, and colleagues. This individual has completed an apprenticeship within the past 12 months or is currently an apprentice.

• Craig Hunt, Senior Peer Support Worker, Community Health & Justice

Craig’s apprenticeship journey is an inspiring example of personal and professional development. Supported by colleagues across GMMH, he shows remarkable resilience in his learning and continues to develop the knowledge and experience that help him inspire and support others. 

• Kenneth Moth, Chef, Capital, Estates & Facilities

Kenneth’s journey demonstrates the fantastic opportunities that work-based learning can create. Through his dedication and continued development within GMMH, Kenneth has progressed to become a finalist in the NHS Chef of the Year competition, showcasing both his own achievements and the benefits of learning and development within the workplace. 

• Leanne Monaghan, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Riverside Centre

Leanne has made fantastic progress along her chosen professional pathway, combining her development with a clear commitment to person-centred care. Her work supporting patients in seclusion demonstrates how she puts her learning into practice to enhance individualised care while contributing to the continued development of the service. 

An individual or team that demonstrates an open and honest approach to improving patient safety, with tangible results.

• Dannie Farrar, Medication Safety Officer, Pharmacy

Dannie consistently creates a supportive environment where incidents can be discussed openly, honestly and without judgement. By encouraging colleagues to learn together rather than assign blame, Dannie embodies GMMH’s values of openness, honesty and collaboration while helping to strengthen a culture of continuous learning and patient safety. 

• Marc Donnellan, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, A&E Liaison, North View

Marc demonstrates outstanding dedication to patient safety, working collaboratively across multiple teams and the wider North Manchester General Hospital services. His commitment to incident management, learning responses, reflective clinical discussions and training helps create opportunities for colleagues to learn, develop and continually improve the safety of the care they provide. 

• Victor Msimanga, Ward Manager, Acorn Ward, North View

Victor is a compassionate leader who demonstrates an unwavering commitment to both his patients and colleagues. Through his oversight of patient safety, he creates an environment where people feel able to learn, grow and challenge practice constructively. His leadership and dedication to improving patient outcomes are a fantastic reflection of GMMH’s values. 

Recognises an individual or team that provides compassionate and respectful care to inpatients, highlighting their positive impact.

• Prospect Ward, Atherleigh Park

The Prospect Ward team shows remarkable professionalism and resilience through significant changes to the ward and the people it supports. As the service adapts to changing patient needs and new ways of working, colleagues embrace change, support one another and remain firmly focused on providing the best possible care for their patients. 

• Dr Rob Parkes, Principal Psychologist, North View

Rob provides compassionate, patient-centred and trauma-informed psychological care, taking time to personalise his approach and build genuine trust with the people he supports. His contribution extends across the multidisciplinary team, from managing complex cases and supporting family liaison to mentoring colleagues and advocating for patients. His kindness, expertise and dedication make a meaningful difference to service users, families and colleagues alike. 

• Ruth Walters, Ward Manager, Cavendish Ward

Ruth is an outstanding nurse and leader whose dedication to safe, high-quality care remains steadfast through significant service change. As Ward Manager, she introduces initiatives including Mental Health Act compliance audits, a falls clinic and daily safety huddles. She also led her ward through a period of considerable change, supporting patients, carers and colleagues while maintaining morale, team cohesion and high standards of care throughout.

Celebrates an individual or team whose community care efforts inspire hope and make a significant difference in someone's life.

• Kieran Jones, Senior Peer Support Worker, Wigan Neighbourhood Mental Health Service

Kieran uses his lived experience to make a positive difference to service users, colleagues and communities across Greater Manchester. Through trauma-informed training and his role as a Mental Health Ambassador, he brings passion and authenticity to improving people’s lives.

• Richard Drysdale, Mental Health Practitioner, John Denmark Unit

Richard is an exceptional clinician who brings warmth, positivity and authenticity to the people he supports. As a native British Sign Language user, he combines excellent communication skills with a deep understanding of Deaf culture and identity, helping service users feel understood, respected and valued while sharing his knowledge with colleagues to improve care for the Deaf community.

• Zuber Patel, Health Care Support Worker, Bolton Community Mental Health Team

Zuber consistently goes above and beyond, supporting colleagues during challenging times while ensuring service users continue to receive high-quality care. His ability to listen, reassure and provide timely support to people at their most vulnerable demonstrates his genuine compassion and dedication to making a difference.

A leader who values and respects diversity within their team, positively impacting their team and championing inclusivity.

• Loveness Ncube, Quality Matron, Trust-wide Urgent Care 

Loveness creates an inclusive and psychologically safe environment where colleagues feel listened to and valued. As Project Lead for REACH, she brings together people from diverse backgrounds and ensures lived experience shapes improvement work, while championing anti-racist practice and personally supporting staff and patients affected by racism and hate crime. Her collaborative work with external partners also helps share learning and best practice beyond GMMH. 

• Rebecca Yates-Dutton, Operational Manager, HMP Risley

Rebecca demonstrates exceptional inclusive leadership, championing a population that can experience significant discrimination and health inequalities. Through empowering staff and fostering strong partnerships, she has helped create a service recognised by the CQC as a ‘benchmark’ for mental health services in Health and Justice, while consistently demonstrating compassion, respect and inclusion. 

• Zoe Dent, Head of Operations, Eating Disorder, Perinatal and Specialist Psychology Services

Zoe is a visible champion for people with lived experience and an outstanding role model for inclusive leadership. She helps colleagues feel heard, valued and empowered, strengthens psychological safety and promotes equity in decision-making. By ensuring staff and service user perspectives remain central to improvement work, Zoe makes a tangible difference across her care group. 

A volunteer who shows exceptional care and compassion in their work, resulting in positive outcomes.

• Kim Hale, Activities Assistant Volunteer, Achieve

Kim makes an extraordinary contribution to Achieve, providing one-to-one support and leading creative and wellbeing activities including women’s craft, art and gardening recovery groups. Her commitment began even before receiving her volunteer badge, when she gave her own time to welcome and talk with service users. A passionate advocate, Kim helps make recovery approachable and empowers people to build confidence and achieve lasting positive change. 

• Steve Ballingall, Volunteer, Meadowbrook Unit

Steve uses his warmth, approachable nature and lived experience to build genuine connections with patients, including those who may struggle to engage with others. Volunteering three days a week, he provides valuable one-to-one and group support and even uses his own time and resources to 3D-print sensory and fidget items to help patients manage distress and engage in therapeutic activities. His compassion and commitment help people feel understood, valued and hopeful about their recovery. 

• Stephen Biggins, Volunteer, Chapman Barker Unit

Stephen draws on his lived experience to provide compassionate and meaningful support to patients and their loved ones. He generously gives his time to help people with their ongoing recovery, going out of his way to arrange aftercare and connect them with fellowships and community activities. His caring, down-to-earth and humorous approach embodies GMMH’s values and makes a real difference to the people he supports. 

Recognises a support staff member in a non-clinical role who effectively collaborates 
with colleagues to improve patient care or services provided.

• Carol Ann McCoy, Catering Supervisor, Capital, Estates & Facilities

Carol Ann brings a positive ‘can do’ attitude, professionalism and genuine respect for everyone around her. Her enthusiasm makes a significant contribution to team morale and cohesion, while her desire to understand the bigger picture sees her continually develop her knowledge of dual diagnosis and learn from trainers with lived experience to strengthen the team’s work. 

• Deborah Astley, Team Administrator, Manchester Dual Diagnosis Liaison Service

Deborah consistently goes above and beyond in her role, demonstrating exceptional reliability, compassion and commitment to delivering the highest standards of service. A valued and respected colleague, her positive attitude and willingness to support others make a meaningful difference to her team every day. 

• Simon Ridley, Developer, Digital & Data Services

Simon consistently develops solutions to real problems for colleagues, with benefits that ultimately reach our patients and services. An integral part of numerous innovative digital projects across GMMH, his dedication, professionalism and commitment to improvement have delivered lasting benefits and made him one of the Trust’s quiet driving forces in using technology to improve care and services. 

Celebrates an individual or team that works together to drive research and innovation, leading to significant improvements in patient care.

• Bolton Electroconvulsive Therapy Clinic

The Bolton Electroconvulsive Therapy Clinic makes a significant difference to an important area of treatment for service users. Through its commitment to developing the service and improving the experience of people receiving care, the team demonstrates the meaningful difference that innovation and quality improvement can make. 

• Melissa Lee, Ward Manager, Hayeswater Ward, Riverside Centre

Melissa’s work brings together research, innovation and collaborative improvement with the potential to make a meaningful difference to women’s lives. Her nomination demonstrates how working together to develop new approaches can translate ideas into improvements that directly benefit the people GMMH supports. 

• Steve Lankshear, Lead Clinical Studies Officer, Research & Innovation

Steve’s dedication and commitment to research and innovation makes a lasting impression on those he works with. He is a highly valued colleague who brings passion and enthusiasm to his work and makes an important contribution to improving practice and supporting better outcomes. 

An individual or team who values and respects diverse perspectives, creating a more inclusive environment.

• Amanda Kane, Operational Manager, Wigan Community CAMHS 

Amanda demonstrates respect and compassion when working with patients and families from different backgrounds. During community visits, she takes time to understand people’s cultures, faiths and customs without judgement, using this understanding to build trust and stronger therapeutic relationships. Her thoughtful approach shows how valuing different perspectives can meaningfully improve people’s experiences of mental health services. 

• Angela Assor, Strategic Safeguarding Lead, CAMHS

Angela’s commitment to inclusion reaches beyond GMMH through her contribution to Greater Manchester’s ‘No Space for Racism’ campaign. Through advocacy, speaking engagements and partnership working, she encourages individuals and organisations to challenge discrimination, reflect on their practices and take meaningful action to promote equality, creating constructive conversations about race, inclusion and belonging. 

• Sam Appiah-Anane, Deputy Director of Pharmacy

Sam has played an instrumental role in bringing the Change Makers podcast to life, helping increase awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion through the lived experiences of GMMH colleagues. From creating the podcast jingle to identifying guests and leading interviews, his contribution has helped produce six episodes covering a diverse range of topics and voices, turning an idea into a platform for learning and change. 

Recognises an individual or team that goes above and beyond to significantly enhance the quality of care provided to service users.

• Chrissy Ireland, Social Worker, Specialist Perinatal Service

Chrissy makes a positive difference to women, babies and families through compassionate and collaborative working. By listening, encouraging positive interactions and strengthening relationships across partner agencies, she helps colleagues feel more confident while contributing to improved outcomes for the families supported by the Specialist Perinatal Service. 

• Greater Manchester Inclusion Health Homeless Team

The Greater Manchester Inclusion Health Homeless Team demonstrates exceptional resilience and collaboration, providing compassionate support to people with complex physical health, addiction and mental health needs. Through multidisciplinary and multi-agency working, the team provides a highly responsive, productive and compassionate service even within an unpredictable and challenging environment. 

• Matthew Greatorex, Team Manager, Salford Referral and Assessment Hub

Matthew makes significant improvements to both the triage and assessment process and relationships with GMMH and partner agencies. Despite the pressures of developing a new service, he remains focused on improving care, including making communications clearer for service users. He also supports other teams through service changes, earning recognition from colleagues, service users and senior leaders. 

Celebrates a partner organisation (charity or supplier) that demonstrates exceptional collaboration and support to enhance patient care and services.

• Great Places Housing Group – The Docherty Project

The Docherty Project continues to show exceptional dedication to supporting people with housing needs at some of the most vulnerable points in their lives. Through its close partnership working and commitment to helping the people GMMH supports, the organisation demonstrates what meaningful collaboration is all about. 

• MASH – Manchester Action on Street Health 

MASH makes an exceptional and sustained difference to some of Manchester’s most vulnerable women through compassionate, innovative and person-centred support. Their advocacy and non-judgemental approach help reach people who may be unable or unwilling to engage with traditional services, while its partnership working creates meaningful improvements in health, wellbeing and access to support. 

• Salford CVS – Wellbeing Matters

The Wellbeing Matters Community Connector Programme has successfully brought community-based social prescribing into inpatient mental health services. Through strong partnership working, the programme has improved discharge planning and helped patients reconnect with their communities, strengthening the relationship between statutory, voluntary, community and social enterprise services and supporting people throughout their recovery.