Annual Launchpad Awards ceremony 2005
The Annual Launchpad Awards ceremony was held at the Centre for Life in Newcastle on the 25th April attracting the great and the good from the mental health world locally.

Alisdair Cameron, User Development Worker from Launchpad thanked Janssen-Cilag Ltd, NIMHE North East, Yorkshire & Humberside, Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust, and Newcastle Primary Care Trust for their financial support and working with Launchpad to organise the event. The awards scheme, which was launched last year, recognises the contributions of people working within mental health who “go that extra mile” over and above their normal role. Alisdair said, “We are grateful to Jim Cousins Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Newcastle Central for agreeing to present the awards”.

Alisdair then handed over to Alan Hall, Chief Executive of Newcastle, and North Tyneside & Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust as the invited guest speaker. Alan began by talking about how we still have some way to go in achieving genuine user participation in the planning and delivery of mental health services. He then spoke about how in the current political climate there is great deal of discussion about making the issue of choice a reality for people experiencing mental health problems. He touched on the importance of promoting the positive aspects of recovery from mental health problems and challenging the stigma associated with mental ill- health.

Alisdair then read out the commendations of the winners with Jim Cousins, Parliamentary Candidate presenting then with their awards. click here to view the Award winners.

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By Richard Marx, Co-Chairman & Alisdair Cameron, User Development Worker.