The 2025 Helpline Awards

Celebrating the unsung heroes of the helpline sector

The Helplines Partnership Helpline Awards recognise and celebrate the amazing work of the helplines sector.

Held every November, the awards are an important part of our annual conference and acknowledge the remarkable contributions of individuals and teams who are outstanding in how they provide support, guidance, and compassion to those in need.

Through the awards we honour those who have made a big difference, whether it’s through exceptional frontline support, new initiatives, or a lifetime of service.

Thank you to Call Handling for sponsoring the Helpline Awards 2025.

We’re excited to announce that the shortlist for the 2025 Helpline Awards has now been confirmed.

The standard of entries was incredibly high, and our panel of independent judges faced an extremely difficult decision in selecting the finalists. Every submission was a powerful example of excellence, and we are proud to celebrate the amazing work being done by individuals and organisations across the sector.

Throughout this week, we will be sharing the shortlisted entries in each category. We begin with the shortlists for 2025 Employee of the Year and Volunteer of the Year, categories that celebrate the people behind the helplines whose dedication, compassion and commitment make an impact every day.

Congratulations to our shortlist for Employee of the Year 2025:

• Jamie Brett, Nacoa—the National Association for Children of Alcoholics
• Donna Craine, Humanists UK
• Andrea Pereira, SNAP
• Dan Woodley, Safeline
• Melissa Wylie, Rural Support
• Marni Yard, Beat

Congratulations to our shortlist for Volunteer of the Year 2025, kindly sponsored by Savera UK:

• Iacopo D’Alessandro – Humanists UK
• Helen Devonald – Age UK
• Imogen Greenwood – Rethink Mental Illness
• Rebecca Shenkin – JTeen Support
• Barry Slapp – Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
• Olga Venosa – We Are Stronger

Congratulations to the shortlist in the Innovation and Sustainability category, kindly sponsored by Baltik Architecture and Design:

• Blood Cancer UK
• BulliesOut
• National Autistic Society
• PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide

Congratulations to the shortlist in the Staff Wellbeing Support category, kindly sponsored by NCPS – National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society:

• Blood Cancer UK
• Cardiomyopathy UK
• NAPAC
• Rural Support
• Sarcoma UK
• Tuberous Sclerosis Association

Congratulations to the shortlist in the Lifetime Service category:

• Tom Barclay, NAPAC
• Dr. Eve Fleming, ERIC
• Katie Foulser, Rethink Mental Illness
• Stephanie Jacobs, Breast Cancer Now
• Dame Esther Rantzen DBE, Age UK

Congratulations to the shortlist in the Helpline of the Year category, kindly sponsored by Call Handling:

• Age UK National Benefits Service Helpline
• Compassion in Dying Helpline
• Nacoa Helpline
• Safeline National Male Survivor Helpline and Online Service
• Self Injury Support Helpline
• SWGfl Revenge Porn Helpline