The charity received over 100 nominations from colleagues, volunteers, people they care for, and families. The Star Awards recognise individuals or teams for their hard work, contributions, and commitment to ‘Making every day count’.  Similarly, the Bright Idea Awards, new for this year, celebrate new projects and ideas implemented throughout the charity, helping to improve their services or generate vital funds for the hospice.  

This year’s awards were kindly sponsored by National Online Wellbeing Services (N.O.W.S), an Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service. They said, “N.O.W.S supports children, adults and families wherever they are on their life’s journey, so to support Havens Hospices staff who lovingly support our community is an honour” 

The winners of the 2025 Star and Bright Idea Awards are:  

Living our Values – Care and Compassion   

Carole, Shop Manager, Jackie, Area Manager and the Prittlewell Shop   

Their care and compassion extends across the charity, working closely with the Care Team to ensure a family had everything they need. 

Living Our Values – Courage  

Stevie, Trust and Grants Fundraising Officer   

For managing complex and sensitive situations that raise vital funds for the charity  

Living Our Values – Community  

Lorraine, Children and Young People’s Service Co-ordinator  

For her ‘can-do’ attitude in coordinating and managing a busy service and team  

Living Our Values – Integrity  

Sean and Emma, Housekeeping Team Leads   

For showing courage, integrity and a positive attitude, always with a smile 

Living Our Values – Commitment  

Mary, Clinical Practice Facilitator   

For striking a balance between education and training, team building and service delivery.  

Bright Idea Awards – Care and Compassion  

Extending our Christmas fundraising ‘Yes’ appeal to patients at Fair Havens, helping make their Christmas wishes come true, this was the hard work of Sherry, Vanessa and Wendy across our Care and Fundraising Team. 

Bright Idea Awards – Courage  

Streamlining exit interviews as part of our recruitment strategy and our promise of prioritising our people, the work of Dawn and Annemarie in the People Team.  

Bright Idea Awards – Community  

Robins of Remembrance which gave our community a new way to honour and remember their loved ones whilst raising essential funds for the hospice, this was a new campaign lead by the Individual Giving Fundraising Team. 

Bright Idea Awards – Integrity  

Uniform amnesty a project by Sarah at Fair Havens In Patient Unit, which gives unused uniform a second life, saving the charity money whilst also reducing waste. 

Bright Idea Awards – Commitment  

Mystery bags being sold in our shops to help reduce waste which was a project led by Amy and Cerena from the Trading Team. 

Overall Bright Idea Awards 2025   

Mystery Bags sold in our charity shops 

Overall Star Awards 2025  

Winner – Stevie, Trust and Grants Fundraising Officer   

Runners up – Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Team & Sherry Eaglestone Head of Wellbeing & Community Engagement  

Chief Exec Special Commendation 2025  

Beatrice, Social Worker  

For her work in helping create a more equitable service for all, challenging heath inequalities and making every day count for our most vulnerable families.  

The ‘Making every day count’ award (nominated by patients and families the hospice cares for)  

Christine, Supportive Therapies Lead 

For supporting those we care for to re-engage with past hobbies and interest, making the most of the time they have.  

Published 28th March 2025