Winners of the Great Practice Awards 2021 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 third year, the Great Practice Awards celebrate the work of individuals, organisations and networks that are creating systemic change across the city to improve the lives of people with multiple disadvantage. 

And what a year it’s been for heroes in our city! All over Bristol people have worked extra hard to protect those with complex needs during the pandemic. These Awards shine a spotlight on what has been achieved so that we can learn together and improve the system as a whole. 

We received more nominations than ever before across 7 categories, and the shortlist showcases the breadth of the work happening across Bristol. It also demonstrates that ANYONE can do system change. 

The winners were chosen by a panel of judges made up of system change enthusiasts who have been involved with the Golden Key partnership. The ceremony was compered by Angie Belcher.  

The Inspiring Learning Award was won by The Junction Project. During lockdown, the Junction Project put on two extra recovery groups face-to-face, as well as one-to-ones to support. They checked every client every single day. This had an incredible impact on clients - mentally, physically and emotionally. It also had a massive impact on their children, as The Junction Project provided food and emergency shopping for each house that needed it. 

Anna Smith, CEO of One25, introduced the EDI Champion Award. The EDI Champion award was a new category for this year. People with multiple disadvantage are excluded in many ways and addressing power imbalances and making services more accessible and inclusive is key to achieving long lasting system change. The award went to Rachel Rayner of Mental Health Mates, who has gone out of her way to create a diverse and safe group. She is working to remove the stigma around mental health and create a community hub. Rachel commented on Twitter that “I can’t believe it! Thank you so much for the Award and an amazing evening.”  

The Developing Trust Award recognises the importance of developing trusting relationships. It celebrates those who act with integrity when working with people to make change happen. It was won by the euphemistically named “Essential Items Team” which includes members of BDP, AWP, St Mungo’s and Bristol City Council - who delivered a pioneering harm reduction intervention to homeless people with severe alcohol dependency during the first lockdown, when access to alcohol was limited and community and inpatient detoxification opportunities were paused. Trust was built through trauma-informed approaches and psychologically-informed environments. 

There were two joint winners for The Independent Futures Award, which celebrates those who have demonstrated a commitment to changing and elevating the community, by meaningfully and creatively collaborating with people with lived experience of multiple disadvantage. The judging panel felt that both Harry Greatorex from Bristol City Council and Ali Maxwell from the Independent Mental Health Network, had demonstrated a commitment to co-production and lived experience. 

Jenny Riley, Operations Manager of One25 scooped the Cultivating Change Award. This award recognises that in order to create system change, people need to feel empowered to create change themselves. The award is for individuals who trust, support and facilitate others to make changes to the system that positively impact on the lives of people with complex needs. One25 said via social media that “it was a pleasure to be in such good company celebrating some incredible system change and great practice.”  

The penultimate Award, the Change for Good Award, was presented by Amanda Deeks, Chair of the Change for Good Steering Group, a partnership project between Bristol City Council, the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG and Golden Key. Change for Good was designed to improve the way in which the system works to support our city’s most vulnerable. 

The Change for Good Award recognises the importance of trauma-informed approaches when working with people with multiple disadvantage. It celebrates those who put the needs of each individual at the heart of everything they do. The worthy winners were Rachel Brown and Jo Davis of Second Step. Rachel said on Twitter  “What an honour and tribute to a brilliant collective effort towards Psychological , Adversity and Trauma Informed System Change - with such valued input from so many different people within Second Step. Privileged to have been part of the journey.” 

Our last trophy for the night went to the System Change Hero Award, which celebrates the individuals who are working to make the system better for everyone. This person takes the bigger picture into account, making connections, sharing learning and working across organisational boundaries to create better experiences for people with complex needs using services. This award was decided by popular public vote rather than the judging panel and we received over 300 votes from across the system. 

The Award went to Jess OKe, blood borne virus nurse at Bristol Drugs Project and AWP Mental Health. Jess’s nomination revealed that she is a true advocate for change, working doggedly to expand BBV testing and life-saving Hep C treatment. During the Pandemic, she facilitated a 30% increase in testing when this all but ceased across the UK. A key player in removing barriers to Hep C treatment, she has worked with Peers from the Hep C Trust and BDP’s Hep C Champions to drive commitment to and confidence in new Hep C treatments, which clear this life-limiting condition in weeks. 

Delighted to receive the award, Jess said: “I won! Such a lovely feeling. Well done to everyone who was nominated and everyone in our sector who has worked tirelessly throughout covid and beyond. Thank you to everyone who voted for me.”  

And that concluded a wonderful night of celebrating positive action in Bristol. 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.