WINNER: DR COLEEN MERCER-QUINN
2025
LIFELONG INSPIRATION AWARD
Sponsored & shortlisted by Ritepeople
WINNER: DR COLEEN MERCER-QUINN
( REFLECT YARM)
A career devoted to mental health saw Dr Coleen Mercer-Quinn pick up the Lifelong Inspiration prize.
And after more than 35 years, she’ s still providing pioneering care – with even her daughter now joining in.
Coleen and daughter Eva Quinn have set up REFLECT Health Hub – an offshoot of professional psychology services firm REFLECT Yarm, which is all about taking mental health into the workplace and reimagining neurodiversity as a business strength.
And looking back on her career, mumof-four Coleen admits psychology and mental health matters were always her calling.
Growing up in Brambles Farm and Linthorpe in a loving, very Irish Catholic working-class background, she says mental health was never discussed –“ We just went to Mass and got on with life!”
But after being awarded a psychology degree at Teesside University – she’ d subsequently get her master’ s and a doctorate – she worked in the NHS for many years in fields such as eating disorders, CAMHS and community mental health, pioneering services still in use today and winning a national NHS Innovation Award.
She even worked as a Ministry of Defence psychologist at RAF Leeming.“ I had to sign the Official Secrets Act,” she smiles.
When Covid came along in 2020, she stepped back – but, she says,“ I realised I still needed to practise my craft.” That’ s when REFLECT Yarm was born – and she admits to being taken aback by its expansion.
She said:“ I initially thought I’ d just work a couple of hours a week but we’ ve got associates in now, a couple more doctors, interns from different universities and volunteers, so it’ s a very busy practice.”
And reflecting on her career, she’ s glad she is still able to make a difference.
She said:“ It’ s been a privilege to have the opportunity to talk about mental health, neurodiversity, reduce the stigma and strengthen the resilience of companies and organisations.”
Winner – Dr Coleen Mercer-Quinn, right, receives her award from Melissa Chapman, founder of category sponsor Ritepeople.
FINALIST: FINALIST:
Frances Connolly
( PFC Trust)
In the 1980s, Frances studied at Belfast’ s Queen’ s University, where she campaigned for better LGBTQ rights before heading into the education sector.
Since moving with husband Patrick to Hartlepool for work in 1990, she’ s taught at Hartlepool College of FE and mentored children at Newton Aycliffe’ s Secure Centre.
But a big Lottery win in 2019 saw the couple set up the PFC Trust, which has so far donated more than £ 1.2m to local good causes.
And through powerful initiatives such as the UChangeLives campaign and the Green & Blue Ball, raising more than £ 100,000 each year, she has fostered a powerful spirit of community and collaboration.
A true force of nature, Frances challenges us all to think bigger, give more and care harder.
A WORD FROM THE SPONSOR
Dr Nichole Munro
( Atomix Educational Trust)
Nichole has devoted her career to empowering people from all backgrounds to prosper through education.
A highly experienced educational executive with more than 20 years’ experience, she has worked at the highest levels to encourage a diverse range of individuals to see the power of learning.
As a senior lecturer and course leader in teacher training and education, she has empowered teachers who’ ve then gone on to empower other students from all backgrounds in their lives and careers.
Nichole’ s inclusive leadership style sees her supporting colleagues irrespective of gender and embracing neurodiversity in all its forms.
Now, as CEO of Teesside’ s Atomix Educational Trust, she is excited to see where her work will take the organisation, its staff and students.
Melissa Chapman, founder, Ritepeople: This award recognises a woman who’ s built a legacy – a woman whose impact leads the way for others and continues to open doors. It is about celebrating dedication, resilience and that quiet leadership that inspires change, not only now but for generations to come. The finalists’ journeys embody all of this and so much more.
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