The Hope Awards
Celebrating those who bring light to the world through compassion and action
Built on belief in human goodness
HelloHope will host the inaugural Hope Awards on 8th October 2026 at New Craven Hall, Leeds.
This special event will celebrate the people, organisations and initiatives making a real difference in mental health and suicide prevention across the North of England.
On the night, guests will come together to recognise changemakers, advocates and community leaders. As a result, the Hope Awards will create space for connection, celebration and shared purpose.
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Shining a light on life-changing work
The Hope Awards will recognise the people who create hope every day. Some lead major projects. Meanwhile, others support people quietly behind the scenes. Either way, their work makes a powerful impact.
HelloHope created these awards to honour those who support others through difficult times. In addition, the event will celebrate people who reduce stigma, improve wellbeing and help communities feel stronger and safer.
Our partners
People who believe in the work
Founded by multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Ellie MacDonald in 2024, Ellie is on a personal mission having lived experience of poor mental health herself, and losing her dad to suicide when she was just four years old.
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Claire Strachan is a PR Consultant working with Katy Pollard as part of ‘Claire & Katy PR’.
They work with SMEs across Yorkshire, and focus on thought leadership PR. Having lost afriend to suicide whilst at university, Claire was profoundly impacted and subsequently wrote her dissertation on suicide in young people. Over 30yrs later, the statistics have notimproved, despite much greater awareness.
Jane & Ben are the co-founders of New Craven Hall, one of Leeds’ most distinctive and unique venues for wedding, corporate and private events.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, the venue can host all manner of occasions from intimate gatherings and meetings to large celebrations and parties, and the team have delivered events for national and global brands including Google, Barclays, NHS, Adobe, P&G, Unilever, GHD and many more.
Jen Holmes is the founder of Wren, a brand and marketing consultancy for ambitious SMEs. With 20 years' experience in brand and marketing, spanning professional sport, retail, an award-winning creative agency, and management consultancy, she's built brands across a wide range of industries and now brings that same thinking to ambitious SMEs.
She has a particular interest in the link between ADHD and poor mental health, a subject close to home. She strongly believes that conversations like these need more honest, open space, both in schools and workplaces.
With 20 years of PR and reputation management experience, Emma has provided live crisis support and strategic counsel for C-suite leaders of £multi-million blue chip companies.
As well as building and leading teams in communications agencies, Emma spent several years in-house leading on reputation management for one of the UK’s largest delivery companies at a time of significant growth and public scrutiny.
Graduated with a master's degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communications from Leeds Beckett University in 2025, Daisy supports HelloHope marketing and PR efforts.
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Andrew founded Ascensor in 2007, a Leeds-based digital agency specialising in driving leads and sales conversions to businesses using digital channels. Ascensor develop software and provide digital marketing activities to drive client growth. Andrew also co-owns Perfect Branded Gifts and operates a consultancy, Thinking Digital Strategy. Andrew has been involved in digital for over 25 years.
Andrew is a staunch advocate of AI and automation, and is a regular event speaker. Andrew is passionate about digital transformation and supporting businesses to improve efficiency and sales growth.
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Our judges
Meet the experts helping us celebrate work that makes a real difference.
Sharon Watson MBE DL was appointed Chief Executive and Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) in May 2020. Prior to this role, she served as the seventh Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre, where her leadership and artistic vision significantly shaped the company’s national and international profile.
During her tenure at Phoenix Dance Theatre, Sharon received widespread recognition for her contribution to the cultural sector. In 2010, she was named one of the Cultural Leadership Programme’s Women to Watch, highlighting 50 influential women working in arts and culture across the UK. She went on to receive the Sue Ryder Yorkshire Women of Achievement in Business Award and was named Yorkshire Woman of the Year in 2016. In 2017, Sharon was recognised in the inaugural Northern Power Women Top 50 Power List, followed by winning the First English Woman’s Award for Arts and Culture in 2018. That same year, she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by NSCD.
In July 2019, Sharon received an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett University in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the arts. She was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire in November 2020 and was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List in 2021.
March 2026 Awarded Yorkshire Businesswoman Lifetime Achievement Award
Sharon is a Trustee of Factory International and Chair of Candoco Dance Company. A Patron to Music House Leeds. She is deeply committed to championing equity, diversity, and inclusion across the arts, with a particular focus on supporting the creative voices of women and Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse artists.
Miranda Arieh is an award-winning trauma-informed educator and coach, motivational speaker, BBC radio presenter, singer-songwriter, and founder of HEROES Programme (Healing, Education and Recovery of Emotional Strength) which is expanding through the NHS.
Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, Miranda has spent more than 2 decades supporting people in trauma recovery, improving their mental wellbeing, and reconnecting with hope. Through the HEROES Programme, she has worked alongside NHS services, charities, and community organisations to support thousands of individuals on their journey towards recovery and emotional resilience.
Passionate about creating a more compassionate and human-centred approach to mental health, Miranda combines psychology, spirituality, education, and lived experience to help people transform suffering into growth. Her work is rooted in the belief that healing is possible for everyone and that even our most difficult experiences can become a catalyst for positive change.
Miranda is honoured to be part of the judging panel for the Hope Awards and to celebrate the extraordinary individuals and organisations making a difference across our communities.
I am absolutely delighted to be a judge for the Hope Awards.
Hope is one of the most powerful forces we have as human beings. It helps us keep going through life’s most difficult moments and reminds us that change, healing, and growth are possible. Throughout my work in mental health and trauma recovery, I have witnessed first-hand the incredible impact that compassionate individuals, community groups, and organisations can have on people’s lives.
It is a privilege to help recognise and celebrate those who are creating hope for others across Leeds and beyond. I am looking forward to reading the nominations and shining a light on the people whose dedication, kindness, and commitment are making a genuine difference in the world.
Steve Phillip is the Founder and Director of The Jordan Legacy CIC, a suicide prevention non-profit, operating nationally and located in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
He is co-author of the 2023 report; “Moving Towards a Zero Suicide Society” and founder of the national collaborative network; “One Voice, One Hope (OVOH)”.
In October 2025, The Jordan Legacy was invited to become an Innovation Partner with The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales and its new National Suicide Prevention Network.
His vision is to create a truly collaborative suicide prevention space around core values of Respect, Trust, Humility, Compassion and Determination.
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Greg Wright is an award-winning journalist and Deputy Business Editor at The Yorkshire Post, where he has worked as a staff journalist for more than 25 years. His career has included reporting for major regional newspapers, regional magazines, the Press Association and national titles, including business stories.
Recognised for his expertise in business journalism, Greg has won multiple industry awards, with public profiles listing him as the winner of 19 business journalism awards. His work has covered business, finance, regional enterprise and major economic issues across Yorkshire and beyond. Greg’s commitment to reporting on the loan charge scandal which led to 11 suicides, makes him a passionate advocate of HelloHope’s work in suicide prevention. Alongside his journalism, Greg is experienced as an event host, awards judge and mentor, making him well placed to recognise achievement, impact and integrity in others. His longstanding commitment to telling the stories of people, organisations and
Their words
Those who have been part of this journey speak plainly about what it means.