CO3 proudly hosted its annual awards ceremony on 27 March 2025, at the Europa Hotel, celebrating exceptional leadership across Northern Ireland’s third sector. A key highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Leading in Healthcare award to Patricia Cathcart, Service Manager at Start360, in recognition of her impactful work in trauma rehabilitation.

Now in its second year, the Leading in Healthcare category is kindly supported by Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS). NICHS delivers expert care and support to people affected by chest, heart, and stroke conditions, and also funds local research to improve treatments, care, and prevention.

Patricia was acknowledged for her leadership in developing Trauma Talks at HMP Magilligan, a trauma-informed rehabilitation programme that has enhanced participants’ well-being, sense of responsibility, and employability. The programme’s success led to its expansion to Hydebank, inspired similar initiatives internationally, and empowered graduates to become peer educators, supporting change from within.

Judges commended the strength of this year’s entries, all of which showcased innovative healthcare strategies within the voluntary and community sectors.

Declan Cunnane, Chief Executive of NICHS, presented the award, praising the finalists for their dedication to improving lives through compassionate and effective healthcare leadership.

You can browse through more photos and details about the awards here.