A CARE trust has recognised the achievements of its staff and volunteers.

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Centre for Mental Health at Airedale Hospital, has staged its annual You're A Star Awards.

Accolades were handed out across five categories in a glittering ceremony at the Mercure Bankfield Hotel, Bingley, last night (July 7).

The awards – now in their 13th year – showcase best examples of outstanding care across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven.

Nominations were from trust colleagues.

Short films highlighting the achievements of nominees, including some heartfelt testimonials from patients and carers, were screened as part of the ceremony.

Each winner received £1,000 from Sovereign Healthcare, the event's main supporter, towards their ongoing work to benefit patients.

Trust chairman, Mike Smith, said: "Our awards recognise that there are many remarkable people working within the care trust, as staff and volunteers.

"Each year we see fantastic examples of service and dedication.

"I am proud to be involved in the ceremony to celebrate everyone's achievements and to recognise they have gone the extra mile to provide exceptional service and make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of people across the district."

He thanked Sovereign Health Care and other organisations for their support, during the year and on the night.

Winner of the You and Your Care Award was Christine Cunliffe, an assistant clinical practitioner.

She has been a key figure on the Heather ward at the Centre for Mental Health and has been involved in a number of national initiatives.

The ward became the first in the region to receive national accreditation from the Yorkshire and Humber ANSN Improvement Academy for the quality of its 'safety huddles'.

Staff 'huddle' twice daily to identify any ways in which they can better support people on the ward.

The venture has now been rolled out across numerous services.

Christine said: "I was delighted to have been nominated for an award but to win – I'm absolutely thrilled, especially when retirement for me is in the not too distant future!

"What a lovely way to go out."

The Patient Experience Award went to trust governor Nick Smith, who has lived through mental health issues himself.

He supports vulnerable people who've suffered emotionally or experienced a mental health crisis.

Nick said he was "chuffed to bits" to win. He added: "It's fantastic to be acknowledged in this way."

Victorious in the Quality Award category were health facilitation nurse Andrew Birkenshaw and Jodee Simpson, a speech and language therapist at the trust's Waddiloves Health Centre.

They worked with a 49-year-old man with learning disabilities, autism and epilepsy, to help him overcome his fears so he could undergo a lifesaving operation to remove a cancerous tumour.

He had the surgery and is now enjoying spending time with his sister and family and pursuing his passion of photography.

Andrew said: "We are delighted to have won the award and to be recognised for the work that we do – it is absolutely amazing."

The Value for Money Award went to the children's services leadership team.

It successfully redesigned children's services across the district.

Cliff Springthorpe, for the team, said: "I feel incredibly proud of the service.

"People have worked extremely hard to completely redesign how we better manage staffing and cases and provide a high-quality service to the families of Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, more efficiently."

Winner of the Working Together Award was Young Dynamos, a young people's research advisory group within the trust.

It has helped shape and influence services for young people.

A spokesman for the group said: "We're so pleased to have won this award because it's really nice to know that the work we've been doing has been recognised and that people appreciate the help and advice we've been giving."

Videos of the winners and finalists at work can be viewed at bdct.nhs.uk from Monday (July 10).