Last year’s WellChild Award winner Nurse Evelyn Rodger from Edinburgh has joined national children’s charity, WellChild, in the call for nominations for the 2023 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK.
This prestigious annual event celebrates the inspirational qualities of the UK’s seriously ill children and young people and the dedication of those who go that extra mile to make a real difference to their lives.
Last year’s event saw Evelyn, who retired in September as a Diana Children’s Nurse with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, attending a star-studded Awards event at the Hurlingham Club in London where she had the chance to chat with many of the celebrity guests and WellChild supporters.
Evelyn was picked from 100s of nominations from across the UK to win the Nurse Awards category.
Evelyn has been a Diana Children’s Nurse (DCN) with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland for the past eight years, having joined the charity in 2014. In her role Evelyn is based in the neonatal Unit in Simpsons in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but she also covers five neonatal units across Southeast of Scotland and Tayside.
In addition to her nursing Evelyn supports and delivers training for NHS Lothian and CHAS staff, developing an environment of close working not only with the hospital and community teams, but with the CHAS hospice, at home and family support teams. Evelyn’s dedication and her collaborative approach creates a seamless service to families.
Evelyn was instrumental in a pioneering memory making project called ‘Joes Toes’ which has raised over £15,000 since 2018 to allow CHAS and neonatal units to purchase the materials required to make 3D baby hand and foot-casts, respectfully done in baby Joe’s name.
Joe was one of twins who was sadly stillborn as a result of twin to twin transfusion syndrome. Part of Evelyn’s role as Diana Nurse is to provide bereavement support and to help parents find ways to create precious lasting memories with their babies, a role which she feels very passionate about.
WellChild is now calling on people in the region to put forward their nominations for the 2023 WellChild Awards.
“I had such a fantastic day at the WellChild Awards in London” said Evelyn. “It was such a great experience for us all to be involved in and something we will never forget. It would be terrific for a child or another professional from our region to be a winner.”
Guests at the 2022 Awards, in association with global healthcare company GSK, included Leigh-Anne Pinnock from Little Mix, Frankie Bridge from the Saturdays, TV presenters Dick and Dom, Gaby Roslin who presented the event, and many more.
WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James said: “There are more children and young people than ever before in the UK living with long-term, serious health needs. The pandemic placed these children and families under more pressure than many of us can comprehend.
“The WellChild Awards 2023 will be a unique opportunity to recognise and highlight the immense challenges they continue to face and celebrate the remarkable positivity, resilience and spirit they have demonstrated. It will also help us to shine a light on the dedication of those around them, from siblings and professionals who have gone above and beyond to help them through such challenging times.”
If you know someone who deserves special recognition then nominate them for a WellChild Award by visiting our website at www.wellchild.org.uk/awards.
The closing date for entries is Monday March 20th.
There are more children and young people than ever before in the UK living with serious health needs. The WellChild Awards is a unique opportunity to honour the spirit of these children, young people and the dedication of those that care for them.
Entries for the 2023 Awards will be judged by an expert panel including former winners and child health professionals. Awards will be handed out at this year’s glamorous event in London in 2023.
Categories for nominations are as follows:
- Inspirational Child or Young Person – A child or young person between the ages of four and eighteen who has kept smiling and defied the odds despite living with a long-term serious health condition.
- Caring Child or Young Person – A child or young person between the ages of six and eighteen who devotes much of their time and energy freely and lovingly to help and care for a friend or sibling who is living with a serious health condition.
- Nurse – A children’s nurse who goes the extra mile for children and young people with serious health needs.
- Doctor – A doctor working with children and young people who goes the extra mile for the children and young people in their care.
- Outstanding Professional Award – A professional who has worked above and beyond for children and young people living with serious health needs.
- Inspirational Parent Carer A parent carer who has gone above and beyond the care they provide for their child(ren) living with serious health needs and/or has contributed to improving support for families, or awareness of the challenges they face.
For further information about WellChild’s work, please see www.wellchild.org.uk