#AdsHeroesAwards 2022
The #AdsHeroes awards were announced on twitter, in keeping with tradition, just before Christmas on 19th December 2022.
Prior to his untimely death, Adam was planning to launch an annual twitter awards ceremony as a counterpoint to the fancy awards ceremonies for health professionals which often featured on his twitter feed. Adam’s idea was to make simple awards to those who live the values he advocated, often people who go unrewarded whilst doing so much for others. Sadly Adam did not live to see his planned awards come into being, so following his death in 2015, his parents launched the awards in his honour. The awards are now managed by the AdsFoundation.
There is no application process, no awards ceremony and no prize, just the recognition of living and working the values which were so close to Adam’s heart, following his daily life long contact with public services. Previous winners can be seen on our #AdsHeroesAwards page.
Six categories of awards are given:
- Everyone Counts Hero;
- Improving Lives Hero;
- Compassion Hero;
- Quality of Care Hero;
- Respect and Dignity Hero; and
- Working Together Hero.
The 2022 winners were:
Everyone Counts Hero: @ReadforGoodUK
ReadforGoodUK is a national charity which gives the gift of reading to children across the UK. In particular its hospital service provides new books for children in hospital. ReadforGood says of this service:
‘Launched in 2010, our hospital programme provides brand-new, carefully chosen books and regular professional storyteller sessions to the UK’s 30 major children’s hospitals. Read for Good’s specially made, colourful mobile bookcases can travel right up to a child’s bedside, offering an enticing display of lovely new books to read and often keep for ever. Our service supports seriously ill children’s disrupted learning, and gives them and their families precious distraction and comfort at a time when it’s needed the most.
- 27,000 books to children in hospital each year (and through most of the pandemic)
- 224 storytelling days each normal year (virtual or in-person where possible during the pandemic)
- 83% of reluctant readers say our books encourage them to read more
- 92% of children say our books and stories make them feel better
- 95% of parents say our books and stories reduce their own anxiety’.
ReadforGood is a charity which was very close to Adam’s heart, he was their first young person ambassador and was instrumental in getting the Read for Good Service at Leeds Teaching Hospital, which continues today. 
Each Christmas AdsFoundation donates books in Adam’s memory for Read for Good for distribution across the their hospital services.
Improving Lives Hero: @Law_Works
LawWorks supports a network of free legal advice clinics across the country. Particularly in the current climate these clinics provide vital access to expert legal advice, usually supporting the most vulnerable members of society. The support provided to these clinics by Law Works is extensive, including help setting up, access to resources and training and much needed peer support. Without Law Works many would not have access to legal advice and many legal injustices would not be addressed.
The free legal advice clinic run by the AdsFoundation is part of the Law Works network.
Compassion Hero: @OnAmbridge @Lucyvfreeman @shambridges
Ambridge on the coach is a podcast hosted by Lucy Freeman and Harriet Carmichael about the long running BBC radio drama The Archers. They are perhaps unexpected receipts of an #AdsFoundation #AdsHero award, but anyway who listens to the podcast will understand why they have been awarded the 2022 Compassion Award. The Archers like many long running drama covers a range of often challenging themes. Recent themes include a teenager agonising over whether to have an abortion and male mental health. Past themes have included sepsis deaths; coercive control and modern slavery. Lucy and Harriet have the gift of discussing the themes is an exceptionally compassionate way, broadening out the themes beyond the drama, whilst maintaining an accessible and positive tone in their discussions.
Quality of Care: @BeyNaveed
Bey Naveed is a GP, interested in Learning Disabilities and Autism. Humanitarian. Founder of @bubblemedical
His tweets standout for their determination to achieve the best quality of care (and life) for those with learning disabilities and autism. They are noticeable for recognising the challenges children with learning disabilities and autism and their families face in achieving equity of access to health and social care, but doing so without being patronising or (as can sadly sometimes be the case) criticising parents who advocate for their disabled children and young people.
Respect and Dignity: @Charlie_psych
Charlie Jones in a clinical psychologist in medicine.
His tweets stand out for their thoughtful and insightful questioning, which often raise legitimate concerns in a respectful and dignified way.
Working Together @together_sacr and @sccyprights
Together, the Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights and the Scottish Children’s and Young Persons’ Commissioner work not only together but with a large number voluntary, public sector and academic organisations and individuals to educate about and promote and protect the rights of children and young people in Scotland.
The 2023 #AdsHeroes Awards will be announced in December 2023. If you have spotted an individual or organisation on Twitter you think is worthy of one of the awards please send us your suggestion using the Contact Us tab above.
