The UK’s unsung heroes of healthcare were celebrated at the MyPorter and MyCleaning Awards, held proudly in association with NHS England, taking place back-to-back on 2nd and 3rd March 2026 as nominees and guests descended on Yorkshire, at The MET in Leeds. The prestigious awards are now in their sixth year, and once again showcased why they’re the pinnacle of excellence for healthcare porters and cleaners being rewarded for their hard work and dedication.
Portering Awards: Leading with Empathy, Inclusion, and Determination
Mark Vipond – Leadership Of The Year
Portering Supervisor Mark Vipond has redefined what leadership looks like in the NHS. Over five years, he has built his team into a supportive, high-performing unit, but one of his most remarkable achievements has been his focus on understanding the experiences of his female staff. Noticing colleagues struggling with menopause-related challenges, Mark took it upon himself to listen, research, and introduce practical measures to improve the working environment. By creating safe spaces for conversations, adapting workflows, and showing genuine compassion, he prevented valued colleagues from leaving and fostered a culture that prioritises wellbeing.
Mark’s leadership extends beyond the hospital. He mentors young rugby players in the community with patience and care, demonstrating the same empathy and dedication that define his NHS role. Balancing operational excellence with emotional intelligence, Mark has become a trusted figure, inspiring loyalty, respect, and a lasting positive impact on both staff and patients.
Idris Mohammed – Porter Of The Year
Idris Mohammed’s journey is one of resilience, growth, and determination. Living with autism and learning difficulties, Idris began his NHS career facing barriers that could easily have limited his confidence and progression. Instead, he has become one of the most respected and dependable members of his portering team.
Through dedication and consistent support, Idris developed his skills, built his confidence, and now plays a vital role in the smooth running of hospital services. Colleagues describe him as reliable, compassionate, and unwavering under pressure. He has progressed from needing guidance to becoming someone others look to for support.
His achievements extend beyond day-to-day duties. Idris has grown into a mentor for new starters, demonstrating that with the right environment and encouragement, individuals can thrive beyond expectations. His story is not defined by challenges, but by capability, contribution, and quiet excellence.
Idris represents the very best of inclusive employment within the NHS: talent recognised, potential nurtured, and barriers replaced with opportunity.
Additional Portering Highlights
• Gavin Hewitt – Lifetime Achievement Award, recognised for nearly 30 years of service mentoring generations of staff and providing calm, compassionate leadership in crises.
• Mo Jawad – Outstanding Contribution to Patient Experience, transformed hospital patient transfer systems as the first Resource Allocator, blending frontline expertise with technology and communication skills.
• Peterborough Portering Team – Team of the Year, keeping multiple hospital sites running under relentless pressure, with a 95% call response rate and operational precision that directly impacts patient outcomes.
• Sean Sullivan – Newcomer Of The Year, joined the NHS through a supported internship in 2024 and quickly grew into a confident and capable porter. Now a bank porter after graduating the programme, he demonstrates how structured support and determination can help new starters thrive in demanding frontline roles.
Cleaning Awards: Compassion, Resilience, and Operational Excellence
Whiston Hospital A&E Cleaning Team – Team Of The Year
In one of the NHS’s most high-pressure environments, the A&E Cleaning Team works around the clock to deliver safety, dignity, and reassurance to patients and families. Completing hundreds of cleans daily, often under extreme pressure, they ensure smooth patient flow while maintaining exceptional hygiene standards. Beyond tasks, they provide calm, empathy, and small acts of care, like offering a cup of tea to anxious patients, making a profound difference in moments of fear and uncertainty.
Audrey Johnstone – Lifetime Achievement Award
For more than 27 years, Audrey Johnstone has been the steady heart of the hospital, shaping domestic services through calm leadership, dedication, and mentorship. From frontline cleaning to Senior Supervisor and Domestic Operations Manager, she guided teams through major ward moves and service transitions, ensuring patient safety and hygiene. During a major flood in the urgent care department, Audrey worked through the night alongside a colleague to clean, secure, and reopen the area for patients by morning, demonstrating her unwavering commitment and operational expertise.
Additional Cleaning Highlights
• Gary Powell – Domestic Of The Year, led a hospital-wide floor restoration project, improving both hygiene standards and staff morale.
• Adrian Kopycinski – Leadership Of The Year, introduced innovations like PLACE Lite audits and robotic scrubber-dryers while building a positive, skilled team.
• Laure-lee Keuler – Newcomer Of The Year, transformed from a ward cleaner to a hospital-wide quality and compliance lead in under a year.
• Mandy Whalley – Auditor Of The Year, elevating hospital audits into a force for patient safety, staff development, and continuous improvement.
Industry Voices and Conference Highlights
Each awards day began with a morning healthcare conference featuring leading voices on portering and cleaning, including NHS England’s Phil Shelley and Fay Lane. On porter day, Director Simon Corben opened the conference, while cleaning day included talks from cleaning expert Delia Cannings, Facilities Matron and guest judge Claire Gibson from Stockport Stepping Hill Hospital, four panel discussions with Q&A, and a talk from MIND Mental Health Charity. These sessions highlighted innovation, operational excellence, and staff wellbeing across NHS services.
NHS England Recognition
Kay Mulcahy, Associate Director of National Estates Operations at NHS England, said:
"These awards showcase the incredible dedication, skill, and compassion of our NHS staff. From porters who keep hospitals running under pressure to domestic teams who ensure patient safety and comfort, every winner represents the heart of the NHS and the impact of people going above and beyond for patients and colleagues alike."
Full List of Winners
Portering Awards:
- Leadership Of The Year: Mark Vipond – Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Newcomer Of The Year: Sean Sullivan – NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Gavin Hewitt – North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
- Outstanding Contribution to Patient Experience: Mo Jawad –Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (sponsored by CareScan)
- Team Of The Year: Peterborough Portering Team – North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (sponsored by Globalview)
- Porter Of The Year: Idris Mohammed – London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (sponsored by ISS)
Cleaning Awards:
- Domestic Of The Year: Gary Powell – Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (sponsored by TTS)
- Leadership Of The Year: Adrian Kopycinski – Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
- Newcomer Of The Year: Laure-lee Keuler – Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Audrey Johnstone – Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (sponsored by Medirest)
- Team Of The Year: Whiston Hospital A&E Cleaning Team – Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Auditor Of The Year: Mandy Whalley – Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (sponsored by Globalview)
For inquiries or more information about the National MyPorter and MyCleaning Awards, please contact:
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