Identity of Bristol’s System Change Heroes Revealed

Last night at the Watershed, we honoured Bristol's system change heroes, the people who are working hard to improve services for Bristol’s most vulnerable.

Now in their second year, the Great Practice Awards celebrate the work of individuals, organisations and networks that are creating systemic change across the city to improve outcomes for people with multiple disadvantage.

As the saying goes, not all heroes wear capes. All over Bristol there are people working hard to change the system for people with complex needs and making sure it works for them. We believe that by shining a spotlight on what is working well, we can all learn together and improve the system as a whole.

The awards were presented by Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor of Bristol, across 7 categories. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges made up of system change enthusiasts who have been involved with the Golden Key partnership.

Bridging Gaps, who have produced a training video to help health and social care professionals better understand women with complex needs and their experiences, took home the Independent Futures Award, for meaningfully and creatively collaborating with people with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.

Bridging Gaps were also joint winners of the Inspiring Learning Award for sharing learning and improving services for people with complex needs. The other joint winners for this award were Helen Roper of St Mungo’s and Bristol Refugee Rights and Bristol Hospitality Network. Helen has championed the adoption of a Restorative Approach in the women's and men’s homelessness pathways resulting in more positive and meaningful client engagements. Bristol Refugee Rights and Bristol Hospitality Network have shown a real commitment towards collaborative working and improved communications, leading to a more holistic approach to services for asylum seekers.

1625 Independent People received the PIEoneering Change Award for putting the needs of each person at the heart of everything they do. 1625 Independent People led on a “train the trainer” package that aims to provide a sustainable way of integrating reflective practice, systems wide.

Tracey Tudor of One25 was recognised with a Developing Trust Award for her ability to develop trusting relationships with service users, staff and external agencies which creates a sense of community and positivity.

Lisa Murfin of Second Step received the Cultivating Change Award for the work she has done in homelessness services. She and her colleagues have worked on changes that have helped clients to be being better supported around their finances, including support with timely rent arrears and debt management.

The System Change Hero Award was decided by public vote and went to Karl Durrant at Bristol City Council, for his relentlessness and enthusiasm in improving the system for vulnerable rough sleepers who have had significant challenges in making and sustaining welfare benefits claims.

The panel of judges also decided to present John Summerill of St Mungo’s with a special award for “going the extra mile”. John is known for his passion in supporting people with complex needs and his ability to get people considered to be “unhousable” to engage with other services to gain the support they need.

We would like to say a massive well done to all the nominees and a great big thank you for all the work that they do.