At an event held at the Palace of Westminster, on Monday 21 July, Sharon Platt-McDonald, Director of Women’s Ministries, Health, and Community Services at the British Union Conference (BUC), received the Faith and Health Services Award for her outstanding leadership in promoting care and community wellbeing across Hertfordshire.
Also recognised at the event was Mrs Tiann Madden, Interim Headteacher of Stanborough Primary School, who received an award for her significant contribution to community wellbeing through education. Both women were among the seven individuals commended for their leadership and impact within their respective communities.
The event, titled ‘Tackling Health Inequalities in Dacorum’, was convened in Committee Room 10 of the UK Parliament and brought together key representatives from the NHS, local government, public health bodies, and the faith and voluntary sectors. Organised by One Vision in collaboration with Dacorum Borough Council, the session enjoyed cross-party support and focused on addressing long-standing disparities in health outcomes.
As chair of the panel, Sharon facilitated the discussion, which explored the benefits of integrating faith-based and community organisations into healthcare outreach. Her work with One Vision’s Faith and Health Network was presented as a standout model that connects residents with trusted local support in familiar settings, such as churches and schools.
Reflecting on the unexpected honour, Sharon said, “I was genuinely surprised by the award. It’s encouraging to see this kind of work being recognised – it’s a shared mission, and I’m grateful to collaborate with many who are equally passionate about health and wellbeing.”
The event was underpinned by the guiding principles of the NHS 10-Year Plan, with an emphasis on shifting from reactive hospital care to proactive, localised, and culturally relevant support systems. This model promotes not only physical health but also a sense of belonging and prevention within communities that are often underserved by traditional healthcare approaches.
Enoch Kanagaraj BEM, founder and CEO of One Vision, who co-chaired the event, highlighted the unique value of cross-sector partnerships. “We are no longer simply advocating for inclusion – we are actively building it. When leaders from all sectors come together, we lay the foundation for a system rooted in accountability, empathy, and local ownership,” he said.
Cllr Catherine McArevey, Mayor of Dacorum, and Toby Hyde, Director of Strategy at West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, echoed the call for bold action to address inequality. Both leaders emphasised that true equity is achieved when health services are integrated into trusted local spaces where people already gather, such as places of worship, schools, and community hubs.
Toby Hyde, Director of Strategy at West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, added:
“The future of healthcare lies beyond hospital walls. We must move closer to communities, into places of trust, like faith spaces, voluntary hubs, and homes.”
Key figures in attendance included:
· Victoria Collins MP (Harpenden and Berkhamsted)
· David Taylor MP (Hemel Hempstead)
· Matt Turmaine MP (Watford)
· Gagan Mohindra MP (Southwest Hertfordshire)
· Sarah Perman, Director of Public Health, Hertfordshire County Council
· Chief Inspector Paul Stanbridge, Hertfordshire Constabulary
· Kevin Hallahan, NHS Herts and Essex ICB
· Steph Lawrence MBE, CEO, The Queen’s Community Nursing Institute
· Harjit Singh DL, Chair, One Vision Trustee Board
For both Sharon Platt-McDonald and Tiann Madden, the awards are a significant affirmation of how faith and education leaders are helping shape inclusive, compassionate, and health-conscious communities across Hertfordshire