Leeds-based mental health and suicide prevention organisation HelloHope has announced the finalists for its first-ever Hope Awards, celebrating individuals and organisations across the North of England who are quietly making a real difference to mental health and suicide prevention in their communities.
The inaugural awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 8 October 2026 at New Craven Hall, Leeds, bringing together finalists, sponsors and supporters for an evening celebrating hope, resilience and the people working tirelessly to support others.
The finalists have been announced, following judging by a prestigious panel including Greg Wright (Journalist and 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’ Healing, Education and Recovery of Emotional Strength programme).
Following a call for nominations earlier this year, HelloHope received a strong response, with more than 80 entries spanning charities, wellbeing organisations, community groups and individuals, all recognised for the vital role they play in supporting mental health and preventing suicide.
Ellie MacDonald, CEO and Founder of HelloHope says:
“It’s truly heartwarming reading so many inspiring nominations from ordinary individuals who’ve supported others, people who have channeled their personal pain into purpose-led missions and organisations and campaigns that help prevent suicides.
“Every person nominated should be extremely proud of themselves. The Hope Awards is something I’ve wanted to do for a while and it’s set to be a truly special evening.”
Tickets are available to attend the Hope Awards
The finalists, shortlisted across 9 categories, are:
- Education & Youth Support
Shaheen Myers (Leeds) – Founder of Balance:ed, supporting school leaders’ wellbeing through professional supervision and leadership development
Emma Oliver (Morley) – Runs Team Daniel, a youth club and GCSE revision support group in memory of her son
Olly Newton (Leeds) – Founder of LightsOnXP, delivering mental health talks in schools, supporting 100,000 young people over 190 schools in the UK.
Amelia Clegg & Naomi Calaman (Wakefield) – Volunteer youth leaders with YOUNGBUDS Girls Groups at Blossom Training and Development CIC
Sam Rawlings (Leeds) – Children’s counsellor offering creative and walk-and-talk therapy
Tom Dickinson (Barnsley) – Founder of Tom’s Talks, delivering youth mental health workshops nationwide
Queen Esther (Bradford) – Creator of the SHELLS Framework™, a preventative wellbeing programme for children
- Innovative Mental Health Programme or Campaign Award
Ruth Grierson (Leeds) – Founder of The Henry Grierson ADHD & Mental Health Foundation, supporting young men’s mental health
Patricia Porter (Leeds) – Founder of Myndtime wearable wellbeing tool and host of the Invisible Me podcast
Lizzie Crofts (Leeds) – Founder of Cavalier Health Ltd, workplace mental health prevention services
Gary Mullen (Bradford) – Cycling 1,600 miles for SoBS in memory of his brother Jamie
Lisa Shepherd & Saskia Roskam (Leeds) – Co-founders of The Biskery, creators of the International Men’s Day mental health “biscuit” campaign with HelloHope
Queen Esther Osakwe (Bradford) – Creator of the SHELLS Framework™ for children’s wellbeing
- Workplace Excellence
Loretaa Duberry (West Yorkshire) – Senior Key Worker and Mental Health First Aider at Together Women
Blerta Ilazi (Sheffield) – Health inclusion nurse supporting refugee healthcare professionals
Jane Dennis (Leeds) – Head of Wellbeing at Oakland Everything Data, leading workplace wellbeing initiatives
Ben Reasbeck (Doncaster) – Head of HealthTech and Life Sciences at Barclays, workplace wellbeing advocate
- Creative Impact
Jenna Fan (Wakefield) – Piano/choir teacher at Fanfare Music, provided crisis support to a student
Ben Slack (Leeds) – Founder of The Swan Song Project, writing songs with terminally ill and bereaved people
Melody Reed (Bradford) – Founder of Music Box CIC, using music for community confidence-building
Penny Rowe (Leeds) – Runs a monthly community art group in Garforth
- Wellbeing Superstars
Tracy Stones (Leeds) – Businesswoman and community connector championing neurodiversity and wellbeing
Real Hope Initiative CIC (Bradford) – Runs Breaking the Silence campaign and Unmuted wellbeing programme for women
Adele Parr (Leeds) – Wellbeing coach at Hypnotherapy Lounge Leeds, delivering workplace wellbeing sessions
Sarah Young (Leeds) – Founder of Sage Ayurvedic, offering accessible yoga, massage and meditation
Queen Esther (Bradford) – Health and Wellbeing Consultant, founder of BREATHE wellbeing initiative
Mark ‘Charlie’ Valentine & Sebastian Budniak (Leeds) – Hosts of White Fox Talking mental health podcast
- Unsung Hero
Lizzie Collins (Leeds) – Operations Manager at Phoenix Health and Wellbeing
Sharon Burke (Leeds) – Founder of the James Burke Foundation, CEO of Leeds Involving People
Paul Waterworth (Halifax/Leeds) – Former Company Secretary/Trustee of Andy’s Man Club, HelloHope volunteer
Tanya Bish (Wetherby) – Founder of Living Potential Care Farming CIC
Harold Kolawole – Mental health advocate supporting diaspora communities in primary care
Tracey Roberts (Liverpool) – Founder and CEO of The Jade Roberts Project
- Suicide Intervener
Jack Roberts (Liverpool) – Manager of The Jade Roberts Project, ASIST trainer with 500+ interventions
Tracey Roberts (Liverpool) – Founder of The Jade Roberts Project
Bob Hood (Leeds) – Rugby coach who supported players through crisis
Jenna Fan (Wakefield) – Piano/choir teacher, supported a student through crisis
- Inspiring Individual
Chris Sylvester (Leeds) – Founder of Getting Clean, addiction recovery social enterprise
Alexis Frier – Reiki Master/Teacher integrating Mental Health First Aid into wellness training
Esther Shiren (Leeds) – Survivor of mental health issues including addiction, using her personal experience to support others.
Olly Newton (Leeds) – Founder of LightsOnXP, supporting 100,000 young people across over 190 schools in the UK.
Sunjeeda Hanif (Leeds) – Founder of Women’s Whispers CIC, supporting vulnerable women and families
Blerta Ilazi (Sheffield) – Founder of the ReSTORE programme for refugee healthcare professionals
- Community Impact
Chris Sylvester (Leeds) – Founder of Getting Clean and LERO Leeds
Louise Reed (Halifax) – Founder of Focus4Hope, supporting people facing poverty and hardship
Nicola Swales (Leeds) – Founder of Shine Bright CIC, delivering WRAP wellbeing programmes for young people
Madeleine France (Wakefield) – Blossom Training and Development CIC, tackling violence against women and girls
Sunjeeda Hanif (Leeds) – Founder of Women’s Whispers CIC
Tomiwa Dada (Bradford) – Founder of Babes of the Most High Global CIC, empowering women
Leeds rugby coach Bob Hood (second from right) is a finalist at the Hope Awards 2026
