A Birmingham-based care service is celebrating a remarkable achievement after eight of its dedicated team members were named as finalists in a prestigious national awards ceremony.
Celebrating Excellence in Care
Cygnet Elms, a service on Streetly Road that supports women with learning disabilities, has seen an impressive eight nominees shortlisted across multiple categories for the Stars of Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards. The annual awards honour individuals who show exceptional commitment to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism. The news was announced on 4th December 2025.
Meet the Inspirational Finalists
The shortlisted team members from Cygnet Elms, which is part of Cygnet Health Care, represent a wide range of roles within the service.
Physical Health Nurse Cheryl Hoskins is in the running for the Spark of Innovation Award. Cheryl expressed pride in her nomination, highlighting how learning disability nurses consistently "think outside the box" to provide necessary support.
Diana White-Blake, the Head of Care, is a finalist for the Head of People Award. She described the recognition as a "pleasant surprise" that motivates her to continue pursuing excellence in her work.
In the Voice Amplifier Award category, Assistant Psychologist Jade Myatt has been shortlisted. Jade said she feels "honoured" to be acknowledged for her efforts in empowering individuals to have their voices heard.
Two staff members are finalists for the Brilliant Learning Disability Nurse award. Staff Nurse Ram Bansal said he was "humbled" by the nomination, adding that his work enriches his practice daily. Senior Staff Nurse Roisin O'Brien called her work a "privilege" and said the recognition deepens her commitment to advocacy.
For the Above and Beyond Team Award, Activity Coordinator Riccardo Brade and Support Worker Sagal Sahid have both been shortlisted. Riccardo vowed to continue empowering service users, while Sagal said the nomination inspires her to keep delivering compassionate, person-centred care.
Support Worker Samira Mohamed, with nearly a decade of service at Cygnet Elms, is a finalist for the Superstar Support Worker Award. She credited her "amazing teammates and mentors" for their support on her journey.
A Testament to Teamwork and Values
Sarah Jenks, the Cygnet Hospital manager, voiced immense pride in her team. She stated that the nominations are a worthy recognition of their daily efforts.
"Our service is built on teamwork, compassion, and a shared commitment to providing the best possible support," Sarah said. "These nominations recognise not only individual excellence but also the strength of our entire unit. Every person plays a part in creating a positive, inclusive, and empowering environment."
She concluded by praising the nominees as true stars who embody the service's core values: Integrity, Trust, Empower, Respect, and Care. This collective achievement highlights the exceptional standard of care and innovation present within Birmingham's specialist support services.
