Nominations are now open
Is there an individual or team you feel has gone beyond expectations and is an inspiration to others? Our annual SASH Star Awards provide an opportunity to recognise the great work of dedicated individuals and teams across the Trust who make a difference to our patients’ experience.
Our SASH Star Awards publicly acknowledge and celebrate an individual or team’s exceptional contribution to the Trust’s on-going success. We have aligned our awards to reflect our core values: Dignity and Respect; Compassion; Safety and Quality and One Team. The awards also reflect the inclusivity; equality and diversity that lie at the heart of everyday life at SASH. They celebrate those who go above and beyond in their roles as well as in their belief and commitment to the NHS – its values, processes, and behaviours.
Awards are offered in 10 categories and shortlisted individuals and teams are invited to the ceremony with their nominators to celebrate their achievement. Andrew Hines, Chief Executive will also be presenting three additional special awards.
Staff, volunteers and service users in the local community are all invited to make nominations. Nominate someone using the forms below.
Choosing a category
This year there are 10 categories. The accordions below describe the category and what the judges will be looking for in the shortlisted and winning nominations.
If you wish to enter your nominee in more than one category, please complete a separate form for each.
What happens after the closing date?
The judging panel will carefully consider all applications submitted by the deadline of Thursday 30 October 2025.
All shortlisted entries will be invited to the SASH Star Awards evening. The winners of each category will be announced at the SASH Star Awards evening to be held on Thursday 19 March 2026 at the Old Council Chamber, Mayor’s Offices in Reigate.
What do the winners get?
In addition to an evening of celebration and thanks, winners and shortlisted teams/individuals will receive a SASH Star certificate signed by the chief executive and chairman.
Winners in each category will also receive a £100 voucher. Runner-ups will receive a £50 voucher.
We will be looking for:
A person or team who exemplifies the trust value of being compassionate.
“we respond with humanity and kindness and search for things we can do, however small; we do not wait to be asked, because we care.”
Judges will score on evidence of: Examples of how the nominee has championed or challenged behaviours in line with this trust value. Feedback from the nominator about the positive impact and or outcomes experienced by colleagues and or patients because of the nominee living this value.
We will be looking for:
A person or team who exemplifies the trust value of dignity and respect.
“we value each person as an individual and will challenge disrespectful and inappropriate behaviour.”
Judges will score on evidence of: Examples of how the nominee has championed or challenged behaviours in line with this trust value. Feedback and examples from the nominator that demonstrate the live practice of this value.
We will be looking for:
A person or team who exemplifies the trust value of One Team
“we work together and have a can-do approach to all that we do, recognising that we all add value with equal worth.”
Judges will score on evidence of: Examples of how the nominee has championed the One Team value. Evidence of a One Team approach with own team and collaborative working and / or co-operation and supporting other teams across the organisation. Feedback from the nominator about the positive impact and or outcomes experienced by colleagues and or patients because of the nominee living this value.
We will be looking for:
A person or team who exemplifies the trust value of safety and quality
“we take responsibility for our actions, decisions and behaviours in delivering safe, high-quality care.”
Judges will score on evidence of: Examples of how the nominee has championed or developed new processes, brought about change to enhance safety and quality in line with this trust value. Feedback and examples from the nominator that demonstrate the live practice of this value.
We will be looking for:
An individual or team who has: Implemented an idea or innovative approach which has resulted in a saving of time or money, improved practice, or new way of working. Made a change that had a positive, measured, and sustainable impact for the good of our patients, staff and the Trust as a whole. Developed and championed local innovation or a new way of working (including recommendations from an audit or research study) which has contributed significantly to improved safety; quality; efficiency; engagement; communication or collaboration.
Judges will score on evidence of: The evidence provided that describes the service before and after the changes were made. Evidence of improved service, for example through monitoring of outcomes for staff or patients and evidence of how sustainability is incorporated. Feedback from the nominator about the positive impact and or outcomes experienced by colleagues and or patients because of the service improvement.
We will be looking for:
An individual that has improved patient experience or made a change that has a positive measured and sustainable impact on patient experience – they went above and beyond the expectation of patents and families. Has received positive feedback from patients and their families.
Judges will score on evidence of: Examples of how the nominee has championed patient experience or developed initiatives and ideas to improve patient experience. Events or changes that took place to improve patient experience beyond expectations. The impact on the patient or patients’ experience. Patient’s and or family feedback received.
We will be looking for:
A person or a team who displays enthusiasm and positivity and encourages others to do the same even in the face of adversity. Has had a significant and positive impact on a patient, or a team / colleague experience.
Judges will score on evidence of: Examples provided where the qualities have been demonstrated. Feedback from nominator and or patients about the positive effect on others. How the impact on others has been significant, for example increased morale in the team, outcomes achieved for colleagues and or patients.
We will be looking for:
A volunteer who has made an exceptional contribution and shown dedicated commitment to the Trust and our services throughout the year.
Judges will score on evidence of: Nominator feedback on the nature of the volunteer’s contribution, for example time commitment and or activities to support others. Outcomes and or impact on SASH services because of the volunteer dedication.
We will be looking for:
A person or a team who displays enthusiasm and positivity and encourages others to do the same even in the face of adversity. Has had a significant and positive impact on a patient, or a team / colleague experience. Demonstrated working together, using the talents and skills of different team members in an inclusive way to make a difference, or bring about a creative solution to a team or operational challenge.
Judges will score on evidence of: Examples provided where the qualities have been demonstrated. Feedback from nominator and or patients about the positive effect on others. How the impact on others has been significant, for example increased morale in the team, outcomes achieved for colleagues and or patients.
Can you recommend a person or team who exemplifies, and role models the trust values, takes an inclusive approach to working with others and works collaboratively with other teams either in or out with SASH to bring about positive change and deliver the best service to staff and or patients. The Chair and Chief Executive will judge this nomination against evidence of: Examples of how the nominee has role modelled and demonstrated an inclusive, values driven approach. Evidence of collaborative working and how that has positively impacted the delivery of a service, the experience of a team and or patient care.
The awards are supported by our Trust Charity, and made possible by event sponsors. We would like to thank our 2025 headline sponsor, McCormickCo Security, and category sponsors BP Installations (Above & Beyond award), and St Vincents Consulting (Innovation Award).
