Celebrating Excellence: Meet Our Shortlisted Nominees

We’re delighted to share the shortlist for this year’s VRA Annual Awards. These nominations reflect the outstanding contributions, innovation, and dedication demonstrated across our sector.

Each nominee has been selected through a rigorous and anonymised process, and we’re proud to recognise their impact and commitment to Vocational Rehabilitation.

Please join us in celebrating the individuals and organisations who are shaping the future of our field.

Shortlisted Nominees:

VR Champion of the Year:

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‍Faye Peary - Vocational Rehabilitation Lead and Lead Occupational Therapist

‍"Faye Peary exemplifies the qualities of a VR Champion. Her outstanding contribution to developing, promoting, and expanding VR has inspired colleagues, improved patient outcomes, and broadened the scope and impact of VR practice regionally and nationally"

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‍Ron Wheatcroft - Technical Manager

‍"Ron Wheatcroft has not just championed VR, he has transformed the landscape. He has shifted the national conversation, ensuring VR is now seen as a vital, standalone discipline. Through direct engagement, rigorous research, and fearless thought leadership, he has influenced both government policy and industry practice. But perhaps most importantly, Ron has inspired and empowered a generation of practitioners to carry forward the torch, making VR not only more visible, but more valuable.

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"Project of the Year:‍

‍Work-focused Functional Rehabilitation Programme - CMAS Pro (Tracey Bragg) in partnership with Form Health

‍"The Work-focused Functional Rehabilitation Programme (WFRP) aligns with the principles of the VRA by  aiming to help its participants overcome obstacles to achieve meaningful and sustainable employment as  well as enhancing their independence and quality of life."

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‍Embedding Career guidance to improve Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes
“An innovative multi disciplinary approach” - Vitality360 Multidisciplinary team

‍"Vitality360 is an independent rehabilitation company dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing persistent pain and fatigue. A core focus of our work is helping clients explore, enhance and sustain meaningful employment. We believe we deliver a truly unique and innovative approach to our vocational services through the integration of a CDP within our expert multi-disciplinary clinical team."

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‍Metabolic Health Intervention integrating Vocational Rehabilitation in  Disability Insurance Claims - Swiss Re and HSBC

‍"Metabolic dysfunction is a major cause of non-communicable disease and disability  insurance claims, but insurers have lacked targeted interventions. Swiss Re launched a pilot  tackling insulin resistance via lifestyle changes—focusing on nutrition, movement, sleep,  mindset, and environment—with clinical oversight and vocational rehabilitation (VR)  support."

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‍Vocational Rehabilitation Pathway - Multi-System Rehabilitation Service, Faye Peary Jeremy Gee, Abigail Davies, Cathi Ridding

‍"The Multi-System Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Project is an innovative programme designed to scale a proven Long Covid VR model so it can support people with any long-term condition across Bradford and Craven. At its heart, the project empowers individuals to manage their health while staying in or returning to work. Delivered primarily through virtual group sessions, complemented by targeted one-to-one support and Allied Health Professional (AHP) reports, the programme helps people secure reasonable workplace adjustments and achieve sustainable employment outcomes"

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‍Team of the Year:‍

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‍Krysalis Neurological Occupational Therapists

‍"The team providing vocational rehabilitation services at Krysalis have outstanding expertise in meeting the growing demand of person-centred and early-intervention support within the vocational rehabilitation industry"

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‍Working To Wellbeing Vocational Rehabilitation Team

‍"Established in 2012, the team has evolved into a highly collaborative group of professionals including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, CBT therapists, career coaches, dietitians, and colleagues from administration, sales, and marketing."

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‍The Royal Free Vocational Rehabilitation Service for people with Long-term Neurological conditions and Post Acute Infections/Post COVID.

‍"The NHS Long Covid Vocational Rehabilitation(VR) Service provides specialist, client-centred assessment and tailored support to help individuals with long term neurological conditions and ongoing Long Covid symptoms remain in, return to, or re-enter employment."

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‍Vocational Rehabilitation Team – Income Protection department, Aviva

‍"Aviva’s Vocational Rehabilitation Team exemplifies what it means to deliver proactive and exceptional, client-centred care and employee wellbeing. Their strength lies not only in their individual expertise but in their ability to work as a truly integrated unit."

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We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all shortlisted nominees. Your work inspires progress, uplifts communities, and exemplifies the values we hold dear.

We look forward to celebrating with you at the VRA Awards Ceremony on the 13th November, where the winners will be revealed and the sector’s achievements honoured.

Thank you for being part of this journey, and for continuing to shape a more inclusive, impactful future.

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