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‘Inspirational’ Robin nominated for national nursing award

14th July 2020

North Belfast Day Centre support worker Robin Kelly has been shortlisted in the 2020 RCNi Nurse Awards, the top awards in the nursing profession. Robin, who is described as “an inspirational role model”, “truly exceptional” and “a joy to be around” by his colleagues, is one of five candidates from across the UK in the ‘Nursing Support Worker’ category.

At a virtual ceremony later this year, one of the category winners will be crowned RCN Nurse of the Year 2020.

Reacting to the news, Robin said: “When I was informed about the nomination, I was quite surprised and a bit embarrassed to be honest! I was lost for words and still am. I was a bit taken aback by it as I felt I was only doing my job.”

Day Support Manager Suzanne Wilson said: “Robin is an outstanding colleague who is not aware of the positive impact he has on service users and staff. He is caring, compassionate, professional, an amazing advocate for service users and he goes the extra mile every day with a smile on his face.

“He has great abilities and strengths and creates a natural rapport with everyone he meets. He is a positive role model to all in relation to the power of mental health recovery and overcoming challenges.”

Robin delivers a programme of activities for adults with mental health challenges, including schizophrenia and personality disorders. He has developed angling, exercise, arts and crafts, gardening, cooking and even jam-making skills to ensure he offers what service users need and want to practise.

His main focus is developing and delivering psychotherapeutic groups such as relapse prevention, anxiety management, resilience building and assertiveness training.

The groups are so valued that people do not want to leave even when they have recovered. He also attends community forums in his own time to raise awareness of the services.

We all wish Robin the best of luck at the awards ceremony!