The Black Healthcare Awards are the only national awards in the United Kingdom dedicated to recognising excellence among Black professionals in healthcare. Run by the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN), the 2026 ceremony took place earlier this month at the Royal Lancaster London, bringing together more than 450 guests to celebrate the doctors, nurses, community leaders and changemakers transforming healthcare for Black communities across the UK.
Chantelle Dillon received the award for her outstanding contribution to IPS employment support, recognition of more than a decade of work helping people with severe mental illness move into, and stay in, paid employment.
The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) service has been running at the Trust for over ten years, embedded within community mental health teams across Bedfordshire and Luton, supporting employment as part of a person's recovery.
Chantelle first joined the service as a support worker and has progressed to Service Manager, now overseeing the intervention and supporting the employment specialists who deliver it.
The nomination came from a colleague she had supported, something Chantelle only discovered on returning from leave the week of the ceremony.
Speaking about her win, Chantelle Dillon said:
"It was a really proud moment, not just personally, but also for the IPS service and the wider organisation. The award recognises the work we do to support people with mental health needs into employment, as well as the importance of championing diversity, inclusion and equity in practice."
"It's nice to have that representation, especially for people like me and for Black and BAME communities to have that recognition, not just for myself but for others too. It's a testament to the Trust that we have dedicated space to acknowledge the great work people do in this area."
Reflecting on what the work means for the people the service supports, Chantelle said employment can be a lifeline:
"It gives people a purpose and a sense of self, knowing that they can do it, regardless of the barriers they may have faced before, and that they have that support throughout their journey."
Anyone who would like to access employment support can pick up a self-referral card in reception at Florence Ball House, or ask a member of their care team to be put in touch with the IPS employment team.
To view the full list of winners, read the Black Healthcare Awards 2026 post-event press release.
