BVA’s 2024 Wellbeing Award winners unveiled

The winners of the British Veterinary Association Wellbeing Awards were announced at last night’s first BVA Awards Dinner at the five-star London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf. The evening, which included a drinks reception sponsored by Lloyd and Whyte, celebrated the achievements of exceptional vets and veterinary teams across four awards.

BVA Wellbeing Awards 2024
BVA’s Wellbeing Awards, sponsored by MSD Animal Health, recognise veterinary workplaces which have embraced the ethos of BVA’s Good Veterinary Workplaces initiative: inclusive workplaces with positive cultures where staff feel valued, empowered, rewarded, and where health and wellbeing are prioritised.

This year’s BVA Wellbeing Award winners are:

Small/Medium Practice (Up to 25 employees) winners
Axe Valley Large Animal Vets, Cheddar in Somerset

Axe Valley Large Animal Vets impressed the judges with its genuine effort to alleviate stress and encourage a friendly and happy atmosphere. Ensuring good mental health is a top priority, with a nominated mental health ambassador and team mental health training. Staff are involved with suggesting and implementing change. Personal lives are respected and there are several office dogs!

Becky Gay, Director and veterinary surgeon, Axe Valley Large Animal Vets, said: "When I was told that Axe Valley Large Animal Vets had not only been nominated but had only gone and won the BVA Wellbeing Awards I was absolutely thrilled! For the practice to be nominated by the team was a huge acknowledgement in itself to underline our day one ethos to be a supportive and happy working environment. It is a huge privilege to accept this award on behalf of all the team who have contributed to making our workplace the best it can be for all. Empowering people to be the best they can be in their role ultimately leads to better care of our patients and clients. It is achievements like this that make all our efforts truly worth it."

Large Practice (Over 25 employees) winners
Old Golf House Vets, Thetford, Norfolk

Old Golf Vets stood out for its dedication to achieving and maintaining a positive culture in the workplace. The practice prioritises the individual needs of its staff members, with flexible working available as well as opportunities to share knowledge, talk about their interests and develop their skillset. Staff are encouraged to speak up and get involved with implementing change. Achievements are celebrated and personal lives are encouraged and respected. Breaks, social activities and nominating colleagues for “random awards of greatness” are strongly encouraged and celebrated on the team’s “pawsitivity board”.

Hayley Potter, Senior Practice Manager of Old Gold House Vets said: “I’m deeply grateful to the team at the Old Golf House who work tirelessly to ensure that wellbeing in practice is our focus and also to BVA for recognising the importance of wellbeing in our industry with these awards. Prioritising wellbeing isn’t just a benefit to the individual, it’s a benefit to our teams, clients and their pets. Wellbeing initiatives such as mental health support programmes, flexible working hours and wellness resources are necessities not luxuries. A culture of wellbeing in practice reminds us that just like our patients we deserve empathy; it helps build resilience, allows us to face challenges with vigour and keeps us connected to the passion that drew us to this industry in the first place. By prioritising our own welfare, we not only honour ourselves, but the animals and people we dedicated our careers to helping.”

Non-Clinical Workplace winners
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) - School of Veterinary Medicine, Lancashire

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) - School of Veterinary Medicine vet school team secured the award thanks to its focus on wellbeing, dedication to providing a “psychologically safe” culture and commitment to caring for colleague mental health. Good wellbeing is a priority at the school, which set up Wellbeing Wednesdays - afternoons with no teaching – as protected times for colleagues to engage in fun and educational activities to support their wellbeing. Colleagues are encouraged to share ideas, photos and good news as well organise social events within and outside the workplace. A digital suggestion box also allows colleagues to make anonymous suggestions, while Lunch and Learns enable colleagues to share their knowledge and passions, and flexible working supports their personal lives and individual circumstances.

Karen Beech, Veterinary lecturer at UCLAN’s School of Veterinary Medicine said: “It’s extremely refreshing to work somewhere that takes wellbeing in all its forms so seriously. The Vet School and the wider University see supporting positive wellbeing as an integral part of managing a team, not just something to address when things get bad. It’s an honour to not only work in an environment like this, but also to be actively involved in the development of wellbeing and in sustaining that culture of support and kindness. I’ve never worked in a team quite like this one, and I am excited to see where we can go! It’s also a real honour to have everyone’s hard work acknowledged in such a public way, and I hope this inspires other workplaces to see the value in integrating positive action to support wellbeing into work life.”

BVA President Elizabeth Mullineaux said about this year’s Wellbeing Award winners: “Our careers form a large part of our lives, so it is essential that team members feel heard, valued and happy in their workplaces. Good wellbeing also benefits workplaces as teams are more likely to remain in posts where they are happy and supported. It’s fantastic to see that workplace culture and support has really moved on over the years and wellbeing prioritised in so many workplaces. The winning workplaces are truly exceptional: they stood out for going the extra mile to support their teams and should be proud of making good wellbeing a priority.”

John Helps, Senior Technical Manager at sponsor MSD Animal Health said: “MSD Animal Health is proud to have sponsored the BVA’s Wellbeing Awards for the second year running. We very much recognise the value of a great working environment for team morale and staff wellbeing in the veterinary sector – it is so important to ensure the people who are working tirelessly to support our nation’s pets and livestock are being supported too. The number and variety of entries was particularly impressive this year and personally, once again, it’s been a great pleasure to be one of the judges and read through the extraordinary and often inspiring efforts that modern veterinary workplaces are making to support their teams.”

The other awards presented during the evening were:

• BVA Young Vet of the Year Award, supported by Zoetis
• BVA Outstanding Service Award (Chiron Award)
• BVA Advancement of Veterinary Science Award (Dalrymple-Champneys Award)

About the awards British Veterinary Association President Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “Whether working in small animal, equine or farm practices, or in a wide range of non-clinical roles, vets make a vital contribution to society. The BVA Awards is an opportunity to showcase the very best of their achievements, from our committed early career vets and teams going the extra mile to support wellbeing, through to practitioners with long and outstanding careers with lasting impact. Congratulations to this year’s winners, who should all be incredibly proud of what they have achieved not only for themselves but on behalf of the whole profession.”