The countdown to our 2026 CHuFT Awards is on. With only three weeks until the big night, we have been catching up with some of our One Culture of Care finalists about how they've been feeling.

A&E Nurse, Kacie Edwards (pictured middle), shared her surprise at being nominated: 

What did it feel like to learn you were a finalist?

"I was genuinely surprised and quite shocked when I found out. In fact, I didn’t even know I had been nominated! It was such a lovely feeling to learn that my hard work had been recognised and acknowledged. Nursing is very much a team effort, and I work alongside so many incredible colleagues who are equally deserving of the recognition. I am still very shocked but very grateful and honoured."

How did you find out?

"I first spotted my name on the finalist list on the intranet, and then the emails started coming through. At first, I genuinely thought I must have read it wrong! Even now, I’m still baffled that I’m on the list, but it’s been a wonderful surprise."

What are you looking forward to about the big night?

"I’m really looking forward to seeing familiar faces, meeting new people, and celebrating the achievements of colleagues from across the Trust. It’s important to recognise not only those attending the awards evening, but everyone who works so hard every day to provide excellent care."

"I’m also looking forward to having a night off work, seeing everyone dressed up, and enjoying the atmosphere. And if there happens to be some nice food involved, I certainly won’t complain! Hopefully it will be a fantastic evening celebrating the amazing people who make our Trust what it is."

Operational Manager, Kayleigh Rufus (pictured right), said: "I was completely shocked! I can’t believe I was nominated, let alone named as a finalist. I was on leave with my children when I received the messages, and we were all so excited.

"I’m really looking forward to the big night and celebrating with everyone."

Security Manager, Radu Crisan (pictured left), told us: "It was a genuine surprise to find out that I had been shortlisted as a finalist. I actually heard the news from colleagues before I had seen the email myself, as people started congratulating me and saying some very kind words.

"I am proud to have been nominated, and being shortlisted is something I did not expect, particularly as I have only been working for CHS for just over a year. 

"For me, One Culture of Care is about supporting each other, building trust, treating people with respect, and working together to achieve better results for our patients, colleagues and the Trust.

"I am excited about the big night, but also a little nervous about being one of the finalists. I am looking forward to meeting the other finalists and celebrating the positive work taking place across the organisation." 

Congratulations to all our finalists in the One Culture of Care Category:

Kayleigh Rufus	Children and Young People Services	Families and Specialist Services
Clair Woodrow	Medical Divisional Management	Medicine
Matthew Williams	Anaesthetics	Surgery & Anaesthetics
Radu Crisan	Security	CHS
Kacie Edwards	A&E	Medicine

The One Culture of Care category is for colleagues/teams who role model how we work, care and treat each other every day. It celebrates a team or person who:

• Shows the very best of who we are, day in and day out
• Helps people to feel supported, safe and included
• Brings the best out of others

In summary, someone who makes everything feel that little bit better.

The CHuFT Awards will be held at The Arches, Dean Clough on Thursday, 2nd July 2026.