Lead employment specialist honoured with lifetime impact award
A huge congratulations to Lead Employment Specialist Paul Dorrington, who has been honoured with the Lifetime Impact in Workplace Wellbeing Award at the Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards 2026!
This national award recognises individuals who have made a sustained and meaningful difference to workplace wellbeing. For Paul, it reflects more than 23 years of dedicated work supporting people experiencing mental illness to access, maintain, and thrive in meaningful employment.
Paul’s journey makes this achievement particularly special. After accessing services within the Trust at 17, he has gone on to build a career here and now leads work that supports others to take positive steps into employment and recovery.
Paul shares: “ The Trust has been a pivotal part of my life since I was 17. As a young service user, I never imagined I would one day build a fulfilling career with the organisation that supported me. I feel incredibly proud to now represent the Trust and work alongside teams who are dedicated to helping people achieve, maintain, and sustain meaningful employment.”
Throughout his career, Paul has remained committed to a clear and consistent mission – to ensure that people experiencing mental illness are not defined by stigma or limited by low expectations.
“I have made a lifelong commitment to supporting people to break free from the cycle of stigma and low expectations, and to build meaningful working lives across all industries. Together, we have helped redefine what is possible – and we will continue to do so, one day, one life, and one opportunity at a time.”
Paul’s work has supported countless individuals into employment across a wide range of sectors, contributing not only to improved wellbeing and recovery outcomes, but also to a broader cultural shift in how employment is viewed within mental health services.
This award is a testament not only to Paul’s individual impact, but also to the Trust’s ongoing commitment to recovery-focused care, social inclusion, and empowering people to lead fulfilling, independent lives.
Congratulations, Paul!
What is IPS employment support? Watch a short video to find out more.
