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Occupational therapist wins prestigious Rising Star Award
Venus Madden , an occupational therapist and Clinical Fellow to Suzanne Rastrick , Chief Allied Health Professions Officer at NHS England , has won a 2023 Rising Star Award in the healthcare category , the only AHP to have been shortlisted in that group .
Now in its ninth year , WeAreTheCity ’ s annual Rising Star Awards , which opened in January 2023 , saw a record number of 1,450 nominations submitted from across the UK and Northern Ireland , with the panel of 40 judges stating that the calibre of entries for this year ’ s awards was ‘ nothing short of exceptional ’.
The Rising Star Awards were introduced to showcase the UK pipeline of female talent below management and to create female role models across different industries and professions . The awards include over 20 different categories , highlighting the need to see more women represented within these respective industries . Over 16,000 public votes were received for the 230 shortlisted nominees .
‘ I was honoured to be shortlisted for this award and I am even more honoured to be one of the winners , alongside so many amazing female leaders ,’ Venus told OTnews .
‘ I would like to thank the judges for their recognition and my family , friends and colleagues , especially Professor Suzanne Rastrick , for their support . This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone who has supported me along the way .
‘ I was nominated for the award by my colleague Dr Janice St John-Matthews , who is a diagnostic radiographer . I am grateful for the opportunity to represent as an occupational therapist , and most importantly , the allied health professions . I am committed to continue working hard to make a difference .’
Vanessa Vallely OBE and founder of WeAreTheCity , said : ‘ The calibre of entries this year has been truly exceptional . Every one of these women should be extremely proud of their achievements . They are key contributors to their industries and outstanding role models . I wish them the very best of luck in the final round of judging .’
Venus Madden
I was honoured to be shortlisted for this award and I am even more honoured to be one of the winners , alongside so many amazing female leaders .”
Mental health transparency at work is on the rise , according to 2023 index
A new survey of 8,000 UK adults has highlighted an increase in mental health transparency in the workplace .
This year , 35 % of UK employees said they called in sick due to poor mental health but gave another reason . While this is a significant percentage , it is lower than the findings from Nuffield Health ’ s 2022 report , with the number previously being 39 %.
This is especially significant given that Nuffield Health ’ s 2023 ‘ Healthier Nation Index ’ also revealed that over 1 in 4 people ( 29 %) now feel comfortable enough to disclose to their employer if they need time off due to poor mental health .
These latest findings suggest a positive shift in how employees are communicating with their workplaces about their emotional wellbeing .
Whilst this still indicates that stigma remains a barrier for people talking about their mental health at work , it is a promising sign that people are beginning to speak out when they need more rest , emotional support , and time away from their desks .
Lisa Gunn , Mental Health Prevention Lead at Nuffield Health commented : ‘ We are passionate about building a healthier nation and know that challenging work environments and stress can have a huge knock-on effect on both our physical and mental wellbeing .
‘ As well as the day-to-day worries that come with our personal and working lives , employees have also had to deal with the impact of a global pandemic and now the ongoing cost-of-living crisis . All these stressors combined can significantly affect the mental health of employees , so it ’ s more important than ever that businesses find ways to create open , transparent , and connected workplace environments .
‘ When people feel supported and able to reach out to their employer , this can have a positive impact on their mental health alone and help them better address feelings of worry and anxiety .’
Find out more at bit . ly / 3onnc0z .
June 2023 OTnews 9