Revealed: the winners of the 2025 Parkinson's UK Excellence Network Awards
Our Excellence Network 10 year anniversary year delivered a truly inspirational set of award entries and nominations. We're delighted to announce our winning and highly commended entries.
Professionals and supporters from our community gathered together at the prestigious Lansdowne Club in central London on Thursday 26 March to celebrate the awards. On show were finalists from all 4 nations of the UK, showcasing the breadth of talent and dedication across our community.
Caroline Rassell, our Chief Executive, opened the event with a warm welcome and a reflection on the innovation and impact we were there to honour. BBC broadcaster and long-time Parkinson's UK supporter, Jane Hill, shared why hosting the event and presenting the awards was so important to her. Pamela Goff, who lives with Parkinson's and was on the judging panel, delivered a speech sharing her Parkinson's journey. Juliet Tizzard, our Director of External Relations, closed the afternoon before guests stayed to network and take part in magician Scott Perry's close up illusions.
Team or service award winners
Innovation in Practice and Excellence Award winner
The Impact of Managing Non-Motor Symptoms ‘Anxiety, Insomnia, Panic attacks and pain’ Through Functional 'Breathwork’ for Persons with Parkinson’s and their care givers, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury
This pilot breathwork programme has proven to help people with Parkinson's manage their non-motor symptoms. It offers practical breathwork techniques such as 'conscious breathing' and tailored breathwork exercises. These can help people with Parkinson's and those who support them to reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate pain and improve sleep patterns.
This project also received our 'best in show' Excellence Award, sponsored by the National Garden Scheme.
Sharing Learning and Education Award
Enhancing mental health awareness and suicide prevention in Parkinson's care, Livewell Southwest, Plymouth
This work aimed to increase the confidence of Parkinson’s health professionals in having deeper, more authentic conversations about mental health with people living with Parkinson’s through an educational session. The goal was to ensure clinicians felt equipped to explore emotional wellbeing sensitively during assessments and to respond effectively if someone shares suicidal thoughts or feelings.
Mali Jenkins Award
The Isle of Wight Parkinson's project, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Isle of Wight
This project was set up after the 2022 UK Parkinson’s Audit identified national gaps in care for people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
It offers referral at diagnosis to a 10-week course of education and exercise sessions for people with Parkinson’s, which they can attend with a family member or friend. The project encourages peer support, networking and signposting to other services. It also aims to support further community-led projects in collaboration with people with Parkinson’s.
Community Support Award
Keeping people with Parkinson’s moving, calm and connected, Sandville Self Help Foundation, Bridgend
This service offers a dedicated day for people with Parkinson’s to meet, take part in physical and social activities, and access support.
Facilities include a hydrotherapy pool and exercise using the PD Warrior technique, alongside a health and wellbeing studio offering tai chi, yoga and complementary therapies such as reflexology, reiki and acupuncture. These can help with non-motor symptoms such as anxiety, pain and sleep issues.
There is also an accessible sensory garden. Advice on finances and emotional support, including bereavement support, are available. The service supports people with Parkinson’s from diagnosis through to the end of life.
Highly commended entrants
Innovation in Practice Award
START RIGHT, STAY WELL, Transforming Emergency Care for People with Parkinson’s. Introducing the UK’s first swallow screening tool for Parkinson’s patients in the Emergency Department, Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust, Buckinghamshire
One of the recommendations from the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (2021) was that all patients with Parkinson’s should be screened for dysphagia on admission to hospital.
In 2022, the speech and language therapy and pharmacy teams at Stoke Mandeville Hospital were awarded grant funding from our Excellence Network to develop a swallow screening tool specifically for people with Parkinson's presenting to the Emergency Department.
Mali Jenkins Award
The Care of the Elderly Parkinson’s Multi-Disciplinary Clinic, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York
Each tri-monthly clinic sees 6 patients for assessment and review. Patients receive consistent, personalised care, often from the same therapist in both clinic and home settings. This helps build trust and engagement.
Therapists act as a link between consultant and home, sharing concerns between visits, helping prevent hospital admissions and supporting early discharge.
Community Support Award
Britten Pears Arts East Suffolk Skylarks, Britten Pears Arts, Saxmundham
This programme was created to address the communication, emotional, and social challenges experienced by people living with Parkinson’s.
Skylarks offers a free, accessible and inclusive singing-based intervention that improves vocal strength, emotional wellbeing and social connection. The programme aligns with national guidance and local priorities, including reducing loneliness and supporting underserved communities.
Individuals category winners
People's Choice Award
Dr Mihaela Boca, Consultant Neurologist with a specialist interest in Movement Disorders, Bristol Brain Centre, Southmead Hospital
Dr Boca was nominated for this award by a patient who highlighted her exceptional approach to patient care.
The nomination described her compassionate, personalised approach, including how she took her time to understand specific, holistic support needs and communication preferences.
Rising Star Award
Dr Catherine Penman, Registrar in Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston
Dr Penman, a Parkinson’s UK and British Geriatrics Society Advanced Clinical Training Fellow, received multiple nominations from colleagues.
They highlighted her work transforming local Parkinson’s services, particularly in underserved areas. They also recognised her multidisciplinary leadership, proactive support and commitment to education and workforce development.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Louise Ebenezer, Lead Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist, Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Veteran Parkinson's Nurse Specialist, Louise Ebenezer, was nominated by colleagues and people with Parkinson's for her pioneering service transformation, leadership and education, clinical excellence, compassion and research contributions.
We also congratulate our remaining finalists for reaching the final stage in this bumper awards year.
Innovation in Practice Award
Graphic Scores: Using sound and art to bring together young people living with Parkinson’s and improve mental health, University College London, London
Sharing Learning and Education Award
Isle of Wight 10-week exercise and education course for newly diagnosed people with Parkinson’s, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Isle of Wight
The Inpatient Pharmacist-Led Pilot Audit for Parkinson’s Medication, NHS Glasgow, NHS London, NHS Dudley
Mali Jenkins Award
Smart Speakers and Shared Voices: Co-Creating Speech Therapy Tools with People with Parkinson’s, Ulster University, Belfast
Community Support Award
Transforming Parkinson’s Care in the Community: Delivering Excellence through Proactive, Person-Centred and Compassionate Integrated Support, Northern Care Alliance, Manchester
People’s Choice Award
Rhian Lewis, Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist, Parkinson’s Service - Hywel dda University Health Board, Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli
Kay Mair, Lead Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert
Rising Star Award
Dr Elizabeth Hudson, Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychological Medicines, Pennine Care, NHS Foundation Trust
Daniel Baines, Planned Care Support Manager, NHS Lancashire & South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Planned Care, Preston’s County Hall
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr David Heseltine, Retired Consultant Elderly Medicine with a special interest in Parkinson’s, York Hospital
Sharon Hope, Parkinson’s Nurse, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland
Find out more about the projects, services and people who entered the 2025 Awards. Email us at [email protected] to request to view the abstract book for awards entries and e-posters from stage 2 entrants.