In the lead-up to National Self-Care Week (18-24 November), the Self-Care Forum’s chair, Helen Donovan announced Circus for Survivors from True You Today Community Interest Company as the winner of this year’s Self-Care Award.
“This programme celebrates remarkable contributions to the well-being and empowerment of women, non-binary and genderqueer survivors of domestic abuse, sexual and gendered abuse” she said. “This recognition highlights the vital role of self-care in health, wellbeing and recovery.
“True You Today CIC’s programme supports survivors by addressing both physical and emotional well-being to help aid long-term recovery.”
By connecting physical and emotional well-being, this self-care initiative empowers survivors to rebuild their relationship with their bodies and express themselves creatively. This holistic approach provides sustained support beyond initial crisis intervention, ensuring survivors receive the care needed to regain control of their lives and to thrive.
“It is a privilege for the Self-Care Forum to host these awards each year” Self-Care Forum President, Dr Pete Smith added, ”and we are incredibly proud to recognise this programme which exemplifies the transformative power of self-care in helping individuals heal and grow.”
In addition to the main award, three further initiatives were highly commended, and their self-care achievements recognised:
- Black Men Talk Health Online Peer Support Group by Nilaari Agency
Nilaari Agency’s peer support group has been highly commended for its exceptional support of typically harder-to-engage populations, specifically local Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities in Bristol. Recognising the unique challenges black men face in discussing mental health, the initiative created a safe online space where facilitators foster trust through open, non-judgemental conversations, encouraging attendees to prioritise their self-care and well-being. - Mental health outreach work by Headucate UK
Headucate UK is a national charity, highly commended for its early learning aims and strong collaboration with other organisations. Driven by university students across the UK, the charity is dedicated to mental health advocacy and awareness. It delivers mental health literacy workshops in schools to tackle misconceptions and promote effective self-care and well-being strategies. - Initiation of a Patient Self-Management Team by Locala Health & Wellbeing CIC’s
Locala Health and Wellbeing CIC’s self-management initiative was highly commended for its patient-centred approach, promoting autonomy and personal responsibility. Whilst led by registered nurses, much of the work is carried out by un-registered colleagues whose advanced training in communication and teaching techniques provides effective self-care support using behavioural change models.
Judges of the Self-Care Award expressed their views on the calibre of entries this year:
Dr John Chisholm, Self-Care Forum Trustee said “’I was delighted that the Self-Care Awards received several entries of high quality, all of which could have been worthy winners. Those entries addressed important healthcare, social and societal issues through innovative projects which recognised the significance and value of self-care and which could be sustained locally and implemented elsewhere with similar success.’
Trevor Gore, Self-Care Forum Trustee said “The winning and highly commended entries are remarkable examples of best self-care practise for other organisations to take inspiration from.”
David Skinner, CEO of the International Self-Care Foundation and sponsor of the prize fund for the Self-Care Award said “The self-care submissions this year are impressive and innovative. All entries demonstrated self-care’s value to individuals and healthcare systems.”
Kate Jackson Professional Advisor, Primary and Community Transformation and Improvement said ‘’Focussing on improving our ability to self-care is essential in optimising our individual strengths and needs and empowering ourselves as individuals. This helps each of us to have more choice and control over our health and wellbeing and supports the NHS to supplement with expert advice, treatment, and peer support. The Self-Care Award winner and commended applicants have demonstrated innovative, transformational and quality in the area of self-care and are to be celebrated for the impact these projects are having and will have on their communities now and in the future’’
Fez Awan Peer Leader, Member of the NHSE Strategic Coproduction Group said “The standard of entries made it difficult to find a Self-Care Award winner, it was tough to definitively find a winner. Everyone’s entry was great, and they all benefitted people. Personally, being invited as a judge has been a great experience and a privilege’’
-Ends –
Notes to editors:
- The top 8 shortlisted Self-Care Award entries have been added to the Self-Care Forum website to share best practice of self-care and to provide inspiration for other local organisations to help support people’s self-care practise.
- National Self-Care Week runs from 18 – 24 November 2024 and has the theme “Mind and Body.” It is an annual UK-wide initiative organised by the Self-Care Forum to raise awareness about the benefits of self-care and what people can do to take care of their physical health and mental wellbeing. It is to promote and encourage more self-care across communities, families, and generations.
- The Self-Care Forum is a charity dedicated to promoting self-care in the UK and embedding it in everyone’s everyday life and has been organising Self-Care Week since 2011.
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- For more information including an image of the Self-Care Week icon email selfcare@selfcareforum.org.
