The Helpline Awards 2025 Shortlist

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