About
UMHAN's second awards ceremony took place online on Tuesday 16th December 2025. To watch the awards ceremony please go here and the recording is in the section marked 'UMHAN Awards 2025'.
Thank you to everyone who made a nomination and congratulations to the nominees and winners!
All winners received a certificate and a £50 e-voucher.
We are thrilled to announce the nominees and winners of the Awards below.
Outstanding Student Support
This award recognises an individual who has made a lasting and positive impact on an individual's mental health. We asked for examples - this may be because of their personal qualities, their interactions or specific action(s) they have taken.
Nominees
Holly Charville
Holly was nominated by a line manager who noted:
Holly is an outstanding mental health practitioner whose dedication, expertise, and compassion have made a significant and lasting impact on her students... Holly may not seek recognition, but I would consider her an ‘unsung hero’. Her work embodies integrity, professionalism, and compassion. She uplifts her colleagues, supports her students with dedication, and consistently contributes to a healthier, more supportive university environment.
Josie Holding
Josie was nominated for this award by a colleague:
Josie's work exemplifies how occupational therapy can be used creatively and holistically to support students presenting with complex mental health difficulties... Her approach is never one‑size‑fits‑all; instead, she tailors her work to each individual, ensuring that support is flexible, meaningful, and empowering.
Anthony Humble
Anthony was also nominated by a colleague who felt that he:
…delivers exceptional and thorough student support at every interaction. He brings robust knowledge and practice to our team, and is a joy to work with. The student population of Newcastle University are incredibly lucky to have the support of a professional like Anth available to them.
Ifeanyi Opara
Ifeanyi was nominated by a colleague who wrote:
I would like to recommend and commend Ifeanyi for the exceptional support they have provided... Their ability to hold clear boundaries while remaining empathetic and supportive is truly commendable... Ifeanyi is a true asset to the mental health team, and their dedication exemplifies the values we strive to uphold in our student support services.
Collaborative and Partnership Working
Examples could include: work with internal colleagues such as academic staff, professional services staff or departments/teams, other student services' colleagues or teams or the Students' Union; collaborative and partnership working with students such as co-creation and/or co-production of student mental health initiatives. It might be with external partners such as the NHS, statutory services e.g. safeguarding or suicide prevention boards or third sector organisations. It can include work to embed student mental health within an educational institution. It might be a research project, evaluation or consultation etc.
Nominees
Rhiain Craven
Nominated by a colleague who noted that Rhiain is a keen collaborator:
One of her key achievements has been her work as our Gateway Champion. In this role, Rhiain transformed the way students are contacted before and after appointments. She developed a bespoke feedback form designed to capture both qualitative and quantitative data following assessments, ensuring that student voices shape the ongoing development of our services. This initiative has created a more responsive and student-focused system of care.
Demi Falshaw
Nominated by a manager who wrote about an transition event that Demi has developed for students with mental health needs and neurodivergent students:
This has gone from a half day event to an overnight residential. She has built on this by working collaboratively with wider university colleagues as well as external partners, to deliver a successful and meaningful event. Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive.
Professional Practice
This award recognises professional practice amongst Accredited Practitioner members who demonstrate good practice across at least three areas of the UMHAN Capability and Conduct Framework.
The framework broadly encompasses the skills, knowledge and attitudes required by mental health practitioners working in the Higher Education sector and the conduct expected of UMHAN members. The 10 essential shared capabilities are:
- Practising ethically
- Challenging inequality
- Working in partnership
- Identifying people's needs and strengths
- Providing meaningful support
- Promoting recovery
- Making a difference
- Respecting diversity
- Promoting health, safety and positive risk-taking
- Personal development, learning and conduct.
Nominees
Fern Greenwell
Fern was nominated by a manager who wrote that she:
… has demonstrated exemplary professional practice across multiple areas of the UMHAN Framework, embodying the skills, knowledge and attitudes essential to high-quality mental health support the HE sector.
Fern’s ethical practice is evident in the interactions she has with students and colleagues. She operates with transparency and integrity. Her inclusive approach ensures that every student feels seen, respected and supported.
One of Fern’s greatest strengths is her ability to build and sustain meaningful relationships. She is a natural connector who bridges gaps across departments, services, and professional groups.
Fern is a powerful advocate for equitable access to mental health support. She proactively identifies structural and procedural barriers that may impact students, using her voice and expertise to challenge inequality within policies and practice. She does this with professionalism and positively influences systems while maintaining excellent relationships.
Imogen Varle
Imogen was nominated by a colleague:
Imogen has consistently demonstrated outstanding professionalism and commitment through her work supporting both students and colleagues. Her contributions have had a meaningful and lasting impact across multiple areas of the university community.
She has worked directly with UHMAN and led a highly successful Lunch and Learn session, focusing on autism with particular emphasis on the experiences of women who have been diagnosed. This session was very well attended and received excellent feedback from staff, who praised how informative and thought-provoking it was.
Imogen has been an active contributor to the Disability and Wellbeing Network (DAWN) at DMU, openly sharing her personal story of diagnosis and her experiences of living with both physical health challenges and neurodiversity. Through this work, she has been instrumental in breaking down barriers, raising awareness of disability support, and tackling stigma around working with disabilities.
Imogen’s professionalism, empathy, and dedication set an exceptional example. She goes above and beyond to create an inclusive environment where staff and students alike feel supported and understood, making her a truly deserving candidate for the Professional Practice Award.
Rising Star - new Student Mental Health Practitioner
For any Accredited Practitioner member working in the role for less than 2 years and demonstrating a passion for student mental health. For example, this may be related to a compassionate approach to students, involvement in service development, introducing new insights or approaches, service promotion etc.
Nominee
Robert Harrison
Robert was nominated by a line manager who noted that since moving NHS nursing services to the university's Mental Health Adviser team, he had already made a huge contribution:
His integration has been seamless, impactful, and characterised by a blend of clinical expertise, emotional intelligence, and steady manner that has strengthened both team cohesion and student experience.
What sets him apart is his ability to translate technical knowledge to the HE setting and communicate this clearly and with compassion. He quickly adapted his skills to the distinct context of HE, improving the way we deal with mental health incidents. Rob is skilled at both de-escalating and empowering students.
Our MHA colleagues all agree that Rob has established himself as a calm and grounding presence within the team. At a time when the service was navigating rising demand, sector uncertainty and financial challenges, Rob has been our metronome, keeping us grounded and focused. Colleagues consistently describe feeling reassured by his manner - he listens deeply, responds calmly, and helps others remain composed even in high-pressure situations.
Rob is approachable and unwaveringly grounded. He exemplifies the values of compassionate, high-quality mental health practice and we look forward to seeing him develop further. His contribution stands out as both exceptional and deeply deserving of recognition through this award.
Exemplary Contribution to Staff and Student Mental Health
This award was made at the judges’ discretion following a review of the applications not deemed eligible for other categories and in lieu of any nominations for the 'contribution to UMHAN award'.
Awarded to
Clare Jeeves
Clare's colleague wrote:
Clare is an exceptionally supportive manager who takes the time to identify the strengths of her team and help them use these effectively to enhance service provision. For example, she recognised staff with experience in creating publications and empowered them to develop a newsletter that informs students about the support available with the aim of significantly improving outreach and engagement.
She has also played a key role in identifying areas of inequality within the student population and implementing targeted support measures. One of her most impactful initiatives has been the removal of the requirement for students to provide medical evidence to receive reasonable adjustments such as extra time on exams. This change has transformed the Student Welfare Service from being perceived as a 'gatekeeper' to an empowering, student-centred service. Students can now complete an online disclosure form for disabilities, after which standard adjustments are promptly applied and guidance on specialist support is provided. This process has led to more meaningful and timely support for students.
Clare also provides invaluable guidance for staff managing students who present with complex or increased risks. She helps to develop balanced support plans that prioritise both safety and student autonomy. Her approach to positive risk-taking promotes student recovery and fosters trust between students and the University.
Through her leadership, innovation, and compassion, Clare has made a significant and lasting difference across Student Welfare Services - improving not only outcomes for students but also the confidence and morale of staff.
Lifetime Contribution
This award recognises UMHAN members who have been working in the field for 10+ years who have displayed a commitment to the aims and ethos of UMHAN. Nominations were asked to include examples of how the nominee has worked to ensure people with mental health conditions can fairly access and thrive in education.
Nominee
Hannah Facey
Hannah was nominated by an agency colleague:
Since I've known Hannah (about 17 years), she has strived to promote awareness of mental health and advocate for those she supports, through her work as a specialist mentor, work coach and in the development and facilitation of mental health awareness training sessions for UMHAN and Diverse Learners. Despite personal challenges, she continually demonstrates resilience and professionalism, going the extra mile for those that she supports.
We would also like to thank Hannah for her contribution to UMHAN - authoring our recent Specialist Mentor - Mental Health handbook for members and her calm and kind support during many members meetings and other UMHAN activities over the years.
Thank you Hannah!
UMHAN Awards 2025 Slides
