Chisom Onyebilama scooped the accolade for dedication to women with brain injuries
Teesside care worker Chisom Onyebilama is presented with her award from TV personality Alexander Armstrong (left) with Dr Tony Romero, Cygnet CEO(Image: UGC)
An ‘inspirational’ support worker who cares for women with brain injuries has scooped a national award for her dedication.
Chisom Onyebilama works at Cygnet Newham House, a 20-bed neuropsychiatric care and treatment facility providing rehabilitation for women affected by acquired brain injuries (ABI). Based on Hemlington Village Road, it is part of the Cygnet Social Care division.
She scooped one of the top prizes at the Cygnet Group achievement awards, a day of celebration for caring, dedicated and hard-working colleagues across the health and social care sector.
She won the Empower, Mover & Shaker Award which recognises a person that has helped to empower others by inspiring, motivating and making things happen. After achieving a significant lifestyle transformation herself, she took on the role of Healthy Weight Coach and developed initiatives to encourage healthier living among patients and staff.
She created health promotion materials, delivered one-to-one support around nutrition, hydration and physical activity, and introduced practical initiatives such as step tracking and hydration goals. Chisom also worked closely with colleagues across different teams, including catering and speech and language therapy, to provide joined-up support. Her approachable and encouraging nature has helped create a positive culture around wellbeing, motivating patients and colleagues alike to make sustainable changes and take greater control of their health.
Nominated by 12 of her colleagues, judges said: “Chisom demonstrates grassroots empowerment through lived experience, coaching and health leadership. By transforming her own personal journey into a sustainable programme that supports others, she has become a role model who influences both staff and service users.
“Through collaboration, practical action and authentic leadership, Chisom has created accessible and repeatable wellbeing opportunities that empower people to make lasting positive changes.”
The awards, now in their fourth year, were held in Birmingham and hosted by TV Presenter, Alexander Armstrong.
Upon receiving the award, Chisom said: “I was truly delighted to receive this award. I honestly wasn’t expecting to win, so it came as a complete shock and a wonderful surprise.
“This award means so much to me, and I am incredibly grateful to be recognised by such a wonderful team It motivates me to continue supporting and encouraging a healthy lifestyle for all my patients while inspiring my colleagues to do the same.
“I would like to give special thanks to my amazing manager, Joanna Yarker, for giving me this opportunity and for her continuous support. I also want to thank the entire management team for creating such a positive, supportive, and encouraging environment for both patients and staff.
“It is an honour to be part of such an outstanding organisation, and I look forward to continuing to make a positive difference every day.”
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