Hope Awards 2026: These are the leaders who are boosting the nation's mental health

Formed in May 2024 by Ellie MacDonald, who lost her father to suicide when she was four years old, HelloHope is a Community Interest Company on a mission to bring life-saving training to a mass audience.

HelloHope’s UK-wide team of qualified mental health and suicide prevention trainers can deliver training to businesses, schools, community groups and the public. The awards dinner, which attracted an audience of 150 people, was held at New Craven Hall in Leeds.

The Suicide Intervener of the Year category was won by Liverpool-based Jack Roberts, who has successfully completed more than 500 suicide interventions in an organisation set up in his sister’s name, the Jade L Roberts Project.

The Innovative Mental Health Programme/Campaign Award went to Lizzie Collins of Cavalier Health for work supporting the construction sector, while White Fox Talking’s podcast hosts picked up the Wellbeing Superstar award.

The Education and Youth Support trophy was presented to Shaheen Myers of Balance:ed, who is supporting leaders in education after losing her husband Rhys, a teacher, to suicide.

The Workplace Excellence title was won by Loretaa Duberry of Together Women, with Ben Slack of the Swan Song Project collecting the award for Creative Impact.

Sharon Burke of The James Burke Foundation received the award for Unsung Hero, with South Yorkshire-based former refugee nurse, Blerta Ilazi collecting the award for Inspiring Individual for her work in RE:STORE, a programme which is helping refugees to become nurses.

The Community Impact title was won by Chris Sylvester of Getting Clean CIC, who was inspired by his own experiences to tackle addiction and homelessness.

A Special Recognition in Mental Health & Suicide Prevention was awarded to the late Megan Suckling, a University of Leeds graduate who set up SSAFE (Suicide Support and Awareness For Everyone) at the university, following her brother’s multiple suicide attempts.

She developed the project to ensure it not only supports students, but also manages a team of volunteers at major events including the Leeds Festival. As well as the winners, four highly commended awards were presented to: Melody Reed (Music Box CIC) – Creative Impact, Tanya Bish (Living Potential Care Farm) – Unsung Hero, Nicola Swales (Shine Bright) - Community Impact and Madeleine France and Rachael Allen (Blossom Training CIC) – Community Impact.

Ellie MacDonald, founder and CEO of HelloHope said: “We created the Hope Awards to celebrate the people who show up for others when it matters most.

"We recognised and celebrated nominees who have saved lives, changed workplaces, supported young people and built communities where it's okay to not be okay.

“I'm especially proud that we could honour Megan Suckling with our Special Recognition award.

"What she built at the University of Leeds will continue to protect people for years to come, and her legacy is exactly what these awards stand for.

“Suicide is preventable, and every person recognised at the Hope Awards is proof that one person really can make a difference."

The awards received more than 80 nominations.

The judging panel included Greg Wright, the deputy business editor at The Yorkshire Post, Steve Phillip, founder and director of The Jordan Legacy CIC, Sharon Watson MBE DL, chief executive and principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Miranda Arieh, founder of NHS's healing, education and recovery of emotional strength programme.

The event was sponsored by Claire & Katy PR, Wren Brand and Marketing, Luwero Wealth Advisors, Josie Armitage Associates, RSJ, and Impulse Decisions, who ran a silent auction.

The evening also raised thousands of pounds for HelloHope to continue its work to prevent suicides.

A spokesman said that planning is already under way for the Hope Awards 2027.