Coventry Homeless Mental Health Team Makes National Shortlist in NHS Parliamentary Awards
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust’s (CWPT) Coventry Homeless Mental Health Team have been shortlisted for the Excellence in Mental Health Care Award in the NHS Parliamentary Awards 2024. The team, made up of Sara Galvin, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, and Sam Ford, Homeless Pathway Support Worker, supports anyone with severe mental illness who is homeless or at risk of eviction in Coventry. At the centre of the team’s success is a commitment to strengthening inter-service approaches to improve access to care and support for some of society’s most vulnerable, at risk and often most overlooked individuals.
The NHS Parliamentary Awards were created in 2018 to celebrate and recognise the outstanding contribution of staff, volunteers and others working in the health and care sector. In the first stage of the awards, MPs nominate healthcare teams and individuals in their local area to highlight their exceptional commitment and achievements working in and with the NHS.
Coventry Homeless Mental Health Team going forward to the final round of the awards is a particular achievement this year, with 318 MPs across England putting forward 918 nominations – a far greater number than in any previous year. CWPT is grateful to Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South, for nominating Sara and Sam to recognise their contribution and support for people experiencing homelessness in Coventry.
There are ten award categories this year which cover innovation and exceptional care right across the breadth of healthcare services. The Excellence in Mental Health Care Award recognises individuals and teams who have worked across organisational boundaries to develop new and effective services to help people living with mental health problems in their community.
Mel Coombes MBE, Chief Executive at CWPT, said: “We are delighted that Sara and Sam have made it to the national shortlist for the Excellence in Mental Health Care Award. The Coventry Homeless Mental Health Team work tirelessly to support people with severe mental illness who are homeless or at risk of eviction. They provide a vital lifeline for many vulnerable people, advocating on behalf of people who are homeless and supporting them to overcome barriers and challenges in accessing mainstream services. We’re immensely proud of the team and wish them luck at the awards ceremony in October.”
Sam Ford, Homeless Pathway Support Worker said: “On behalf of the Coventry Homeless Mental Health Team, we are both thrilled and honoured to be shortlisted for this year’s NHS Parliamentary Awards. We hope that our nomination and potential commendation will highlight the importance of caring for perhaps society's most vulnerable people and bring more attention to the growing issue of homelessness and the myriad of challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness.”
A panel of national judges – made up of notable figures across the healthcare sector – will now come together to select the winners of this year’s awards. These winners will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place on Monday 14 October 2024 – when healthcare leaders, finalists and MPs will come together to celebrate the immense contribution which healthcare staff make to the NHS.