Happiness Award Winners 2018 are announced in a glittering awards ceremony at MediaCityUK

There wasn’t a dry eye (or a dry glass) in the house on Friday night when the winners were announced for the National Happiness Awards. Emotions and spirits were high as one-by-one, our happiness heroes took to the stage.

Over 200 entries were whittled down to our final shortlist, and ultimately our seven winners, who were each honoured at the glittering ceremony in MediaCityUK, Salford.

The event was hosted by Laughology’s very own Stephanie Davies and Dave Keeling and over 150 people attended.

We are delighted to announce the winners and thank everyone who nominated, entered and supported the award. You are all happiness heroes.

Happiest Workplace: Bupa Place, Salford Quays, Manchester

Creating the happiest place to work was the core mission when Bupa developed its new offices, Bupa Place. The space is focused on ensuring every one of the 2500 people based there love working there.

Happiest Workplace was won by Bupa Place, who had put a lot of hard work in to making their space a positive, well and happy place to be

Happiest Workplace Person: Natalie Morgan-Dew, Mizz Twisted Cherry, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

Natalie has overcome personal and health challenges and turned her experiences into positives which she uses to support and encourage others. She runs an alternative dance studio which teaches burlesque and pole dancing but which has also become a support network for the women who go there. Natalie has helped and has been a support for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, bereaved parents and people going through a range of personal and health difficulties.

Natalie Morgan-Dew, Mizz Twisted Cherry, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire was the well-deserved Happiest Workplace person winner.

Happiest Team: Theodora Children’s Charity, London

The charity runs a team of ‘Giggle Doctors’ who are specially trained performers who visit children in hospitals, hospices and specialist care centres. Last year they visited over 33,000 children, bringing light and laughter to them and their families while helping to increase opportunities for play, reduce stress and anxiety and improve experiences of the medical environment.

A well deserved Happiest Team winner, Theodora Children’s Charity represented by Alice Barley.

Happiest Secondary School: Thistley Hough Academy, Stoke-on-Trent

Thistley Hough Academy has been in special measures twice in its history and was once deemed ‘unsaveable’ and came close to closure. With leadership, determination and creativity it has continued to improve and is now graded as Good with Outstanding features. This renaissance has been underpinned by works with a wide range of partners and has developed long-established relationships and completed many successful projects, including a lunchtime darts club for pupils and a visiting dentistry service.

Happiest Secondary school, Thistley Hough Academy, Stoke-on-Trent bounded to the stage, delighted to have won after working so hard to not only make the school a happy place but to ensure great standards too.

Happiest School Person: Stephen Hill, St Joseph’s RC Junior, Infant and Nursery School

Stephen Hill is determined to make a difference to childrens’ lives in his own school and the wider community. He has a desire to mould the children he teaches into well-rounded, fun loving, caring individuals.

Stephen Hill, St Joseph’s RC Junior, Infant and Nursery School was Happiest School Person. He couldn’t join us that evening as was busy raising awareness for other worthy causes, but had some colleagues attend

Happiest Pupil 2018 Shawn Sequeira, Lime Tree Primary School, Surbiton, Surrey

Shawn is blind, but is not defined by his disability, nor does he use it as an excuse not to have a go at something and sets his goals high. He drums, cooks, dances and takes a proactive role in helping others at his school and beyond understand blindness. He has a thirst of knowledge, an enthusiasm for learning and a zest for life.

The room couldn’t hold back the tears when Happiest Pupil, Shawn Sequeira of Lime Tree Primary School, Surbiton, Surrey came to collect his trophy and made a speech.

Happiest Primary School: Flakefleet Primary School, Fleetwood, Lancs

Flakefleet has seen its fortunes turn around dramatically thanks to staff who go above and beyond to support pupils. Situated in an area of high deprivation, many children and families need additional support. Staff have helped feed children, wash their clothes and even provide presents at birthdays and Christmas when necessary, which is all done with discretion and dignity.