Georgia Warrington, a third-year mental health nursing student at Edge Hill University, has been named Mental Health Advocate of the Year at the 2026 Empowerment Awards, held at the Emirates Stadium in London. The award recognizes her outstanding advocacy work and dedication to mental health awareness within the disabled community.
A Surreal Recognition
Warrington, who is set to graduate this summer, described the experience as surreal. "When I advocate for individuals, I never do it expecting recognition, never mind an award like this," she said. "When I received the Mental Health Advocate of the Year award, it was also very reassuring. It reminded me that the work I do genuinely makes a difference, and that the people I’ve supported and worked alongside feel seen, heard and valued."
Balancing Advocacy and Studies
The Empowerment Awards highlight individuals and organizations making a positive impact on the lives of disabled people. Warrington combined her advocacy with completing the final stages of her degree, attending the ceremony in March at the home of Arsenal Football Club. She credited her studies at Edge Hill University for helping her put skills into practice and build confidence as a future nurse.
"Being a third-year mental health nursing student at Edge Hill University has given me the opportunity to put the skills and knowledge I’ve learnt into practice, while building confidence in myself as a future nurse," she explained. "It’s allowed me to focus on the areas I’m most passionate about, particularly advocating for individuals and promoting inclusive, equal care within my practice."
University Support
Warrington praised the support from Edge Hill University, especially her personal tutor Mo Ghoorun, who guided her throughout her university experience. "The University has encouraged me to use my voice, advocate for others and continue developing my confidence as a future mental health nurse," she said. "The consistent support and encouragement has made a huge difference to both my professional growth and my confidence in advocating for mental health awareness."
Challenges and Growth
Warrington acknowledged the challenges of balancing academic demands with advocacy work. "Studying my degree whilst also being an advocate has definitely challenged me in ways I didn’t expect," she said. "Balancing the emotional and academic demands at times has tested me, but I’m incredibly grateful for those challenging moments because they’ve helped shape me into the resilient and reflective person I am. They’ve reinforced why promoting inclusion and mental health awareness is so important to me."
