Headway Annual Awards

The Headway Annual Awards are back, and this year we’re heading to the elegant 5-star Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.  Please contact the Headway Fundraising Team on events@headway.org.uk to reserve a place.

When: Friday, 12th December 2025

Where: 5-star Royal Lancaster, Hyde Park, London

Cost: £3,400 for a table of 10 (individual tickets are available on request)
* All prices are subject to VAT

What you can expect

The Headway Annual Awards is the biggest event in Headway’s calendar. It’s a day for celebrating the dedication, growth and outstanding achievements of brain injury survivors, carers, volunteers, and others in the Headway community across the United Kingdom.

Each finalist, chosen by a selection panel, will be invited along with a guest to a glittering luncheon at The Royal Lancaster in London on Friday 12 December 2025.

Nominate your winners

Do you know someone who has defied their brain injury to achieve a great milestone this year?

Or perhaps you know someone who often goes above and beyond when caring for someone with a brain injury?

Or maybe you know of a long-standing Headway volunteer who is overdue for public recognition and thanks?

The categories this year are:

• Alex Richardson Achiever of the Year - sponsored by Slater & Gordon
• Carer of the Year - sponsorship opportunity available 
• Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP
• Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award - sponsorship opportunity available
• The Headway Extra Mile Award for staff working in local Headway charities - sponsored by Irwin Mitchell

What we’re looking for

The more information we have about the person you are nominating, the better their chance of being shortlisted for a Headway Award!

• Share your passion! We don’t know the person you’re nominating, so don’t spare the details – or your feelings about how special they are!
• Give us details. How long have they been a volunteer? How much progress have they made since sustaining their injury? What have they sacrificed to care for someone?
• Set the scene. How did life change? What was life like before? Why does your nominee stand out from the crowd?
• More is more! Keep your information relevant and catchy, but don’t hold back. The more information we have, the better.

Read our full guidance document on writing an effective nomination in our Related Resources section at the bottom of this page.

Watch our Annual Awards video (featured above) to learn more about the event and hear from those who attended.

Click the button to make your nomination:

There are only a few rules we need to make you aware of:

1. Nominees must be over 18.
2. Nominations will not normally be accepted for Headway UK trustees, staff or their families. Exceptions are for the new Extra Mile award, which is specifically for Staff at Headway groups.

We will also accept staff entries in the Achiever Of The Year category if the nominee secured employment with Headway, having overcome adversity along the way.

Reserve your place

Please contact the Headway Fundraising Team on events@headway.org.uk to reserve a place.

“The Headway Annual Awards is a fantastic corporate event where we pay tribute to brain injury survivors, staff, volunteers, campaigners and fundraisers across the Headway network.

"We look forward to seeing new and old faces this December at what promises to be an inspirational and moving afternoon.”

- Holly Howey, Events Manager

Winners of the 2024 Awards

You can watch all the action from the previous Annual Awards on our Headway Awards YouTube playlist.