Mental Health Champion of the Year

Mental Health Champion of the Year Nominees

Taneesha Spanswick Nominated by: Tania Santos

A dedicated mental-health support worker who goes “above and beyond” to support Islanders experiencing mental-health challenges has been nominated for the Mental Health Champion of the Year award.

Nominator Tania Santos said Taneesha Spanswick made a real difference through her work at Mind Jersey’s drop-in centre, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who walked through the door.

Ms Santos said Ms Spanswick regularly arrived early to ensure the centre was clean, tidy and fully stocked with food and drinks, helping visitors feel comfortable from the moment they arrived.

She added that Ms Spanswick has organised a range of activities, including ukulele groups, quiz afternoons and arts-and-crafts sessions, giving people opportunities to socialise, build confidence and support their wellbeing.

Ms Santos said Ms Spanswick “welcomes everyone with a smile and makes everyone feel at ease”.

Seb Leonard Nominated by: Annie Leonard

Seb Leonard has been nominated for Mental Health Champion of the Year by his sister, Annie, who described him as someone who has “really changed his life around”.

Despite suffering from two head injuries and being involved in a road traffic collision during the last year, Mr Leonard has sought to improve his life against all odds. Miss Leonard said: “It’s fair to say that Seb had a lot to deal with in the space of 12 months. However, at the start of 2026, he changed his life around.”

Now, Mr Leonard is an advocate for men’s mental health, alongside helping those who have gone through similar experiences as a support worker for the Lifeline Group. His sister added: “We will always love every version of him. Seb, we are beyond proud of you and you deserve this award.”

Karen Dingle Nominated by: Elaine George

A dedicated advocate who has devoted herself to supporting Islanders affected by eating disorders has been nominated for the Mental Health Champion of the Year award.

Nominator Elaine George said Karen Dingle embodied what it meant to be a champion for mental health through both her role as chief executive of Jersey Eating Disorders Support and her own lived experience of supporting her daughter through recovery.

Ms George said Mrs Dingle had worked tirelessly to develop the charity’s wellbeing services, offering a range of one-to-one, peer and group support for those living with eating disorders and their carers.

She added that Mrs Dingle was passionate about raising awareness and improving understanding of eating disorders.

Describing Mrs Dingle as someone who “has time for everyone”, Ms George said she takes the time to meet every new person who comes to the charity, listening to their experiences and identifying the best way to support them.

Ms George said Mrs Dingle’s compassion, dedication and commitment had made a lasting difference to many Islanders.

Sally Agathangelou Nominated by: Lucy Casado-Martinez

A trauma-informed counsellor and holistic practitioner has been nominated for the Mental Health Champion of the Year award in recognition of her “unwavering dedication to psychological healing and emotional recovery in Jersey.” Nominator Lucy Casado-Martinez praised Sally Agathangelou for her work supporting Islanders experiencing complex trauma, abuse, domestic violence and severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

Miss Casado-Martinez said Mrs Agathangelou’s “extensive clinical expertise and deep personal empathy” enabled her to create a “safe, non-judgmental sanctuary”, helping people rebuild their self-worth, heal old wounds and regain control of their lives. Mrs Agathangelou also serves as a counsellor and holistic therapist for CLIC Sargent Jersey service users, supporting families and young people facing the emotional impact of serious illness.

Miss Casado-Martinez said Mrs Agathangelou’s gentle guidance had brought “dignity, resilience and hope” to many Islanders, adding that her compassionate approach helped “bridge the gap between mental and emotional health.” She added that, in a small community “where asking for help can often feel daunting”, Mrs Agathangelou’s quiet but transformative impact made her a deserving nominee for the Mental Health Champion of the Year award.

Staff at The Diner (community mental-health recovery) Nominated by: Anonymous

A team which provides a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space for Islanders experiencing mental-health challenges has been nominated for the Mental Health Champion of the Year award.

The anonymous nominator said The Diner, which is a dropin service offering daily mental-health support for adults, gave people a place where they could “feel safe and secure” without fear of judgment.

They praised staff including Caroline Sampson, Alexander Huelin, Daniella Slous, Jason Cronin, as well as the other bank workers, for creating a welcoming environment and building strong relationships with clients.

The nominator added that staff had helped them become more confident in group settings and applauded them for “building up such a good rapport with clients” and by establishing “realistic achievable goals that suit those seeking support”.

The Diner also provided a wide range of activities, including walking groups, swimming and exercise sessions, as well as activities with organisations such as Healing Waves and Wet-wheels which, the nominator said, would not have been possible without the team’s support.

Matt Du Heaume Nominated by: Caroline Spencer

A man who suffers with mental-health problems including “harm OCD” has been praised for having “the guts” to speak publicly about it, making it the subject of a stand-up comedy routine.

Matt Du Heaume has been nominated by Caroline Spencer for Mental Health Champion of the Year for “becoming a powerful advocate for understanding and inclusion, inspiring others to seek help and speak openly about their own experiences”.

Earlier this year, Mr Du Heaume signed up to the White Collar Comedy Night, with Ms Spencer describing his openness about his mental health in the routine as “really impactful by being able to laugh at it, and reach a new audience”.

Mr Du Heaume has also become a Jersey Employment Trust ambassador, helping to raise awareness of different mental-health issues. His nominator praised “his honesty and ability to find humour in adversity, which has shown others that mental-health challenges do not define a person or limit what they can achieve”.

Magdalena Ford Nominated by: Monika Smith

An Islander who cares for those “who often feel forgotten” has been nominated for Mental Health Champion of the Year.

Magdalena Ford has been nominated by Monika Smith, who praised her constant dedication to “meeting families in crisis, supporting young people whose mental health was declining, and guiding parents feeling lost and judged”.

Ms Ford founded non-profit organisation The In-Betweeners. It is a free service, as she believes “everyone deserves help, regardless of their circumstances”.

Ms Ford has faced her own challenges, including surviving stage-four cancer and living with epilepsy, but she “uses these challenges to fuel her empathy and commitment to helping others”, according to her nominator.

Ms Smith added: “Many lives have changed because Magdalena answered a call late at night, met a young person in need, or stood by a family feeling alone. “The In-Betweeners has become a lifeline, reflecting Magdalena’s compassion and leadership.”

Jack Ransom Nominated by: Louise Cram

The owner of a barber shop has been nominated for the Community Champion of the Year award for his efforts learning about and fundraising for mental health.

Jack Ransom, who owns Barvello barber shop in Waterloo Street, attended the Jersey BarberTalk event, which was run by the Danny Cram Foundation, to learn how to signpost mental-health issues in his clients.

He has been nominated by Louise Cram, mother of the late Danny Cram. Ms Cram explained that Mr Ransom set up a six-a-side football event in May, organising all aspects of the event “off his own back”. The event raised around £1,200 for the Danny Cram Foundation, alongside providing a “fabulous outdoor opportunity” for people to get out and socialise.

Ms Cram said: “Jack is a busy chap with a busy business and a young family, but he spotted something in the community that concerned him and he decided to do something about it. “I have no idea where he found the time but he did it. [He is] really quite an inspirational chap.”

Eddie Da Rocha Nominated by: Jack Wilson and Louise Cram

The co-founder of The Danny Cram Foundation has been nominated for Mental Health Champion of the Year for “not being afraid to stand up, speak up and push for change by following through with action”.

Eddie Da Rocha was described as a “natural leader of people and causes” by his nominator, Louise Cram, the mother of his best friend, Danny Cram, who took his own life in 2024. Mr Da Rocha helped set up the charity to raise awareness and help prevent suicide in young adults in Jersey, and has since raised over £30,000 pounds.

His nominator praised the what Mr Da Rocha had achieved so far, with many “young adults who had never even met Danny” supporting and organise events “because they are inspired by Eddie”. “You don’t come across many Eddies in a lifetime. I am grateful beyond words that he is working with us, trying to improve mental-health support for the young adults of Jersey.

“We have to recognise, reward and support people this unique when we come across them,” Ms Cram said.

Jo Bass Nominated by: Charlotte Wallace-Sims

An art psychotherapist at CAMHS Jersey has been nominated for the Mental Health Champion of the Year award by Charlotte Wallace-Sims. Ms Wallace-Sims praised Ms Bass for her ability to help people recover from mental-health struggles with dignity and grace.

“Not once have I ever felt uncomfortable talking to Jo. She is extremely approachable and responds exactly how I need, even when I am not sure what it is that I need,” Ms Wallace-Sims continued.

Ms Bass also frequently works with children who struggle to engage in traditional therapies, according to her nominator, using art to help her clients express their mental health in other ways, recognising that language is not always the best medium.

“Jo navigates the conversation with such grace, making it even easier to feel at peace and safe in her company,” Ms Wallace-Sims said. “Therapy is hard, but Jo makes it so worth it.”