The Open University-led initiative recognised for empowering older adults to build lasting healthy habits and fostering community wellbeing.
In the lead-up to National Self-Care Week (17–23 November 2025), the Self-Care Forum has announced the winner and three highly commended entries of this year’s Self-Care Awards, celebrating outstanding initiatives that champion self-care and community wellbeing across the UK.
This year’s Self-Care Week theme — “Mind & Body” — highlights the vital connection between physical and mental health, encouraging individuals and communities to take small steps every day to nurture both. The Self-Care Awards reflect that theme by recognising initiatives that make self-care practical, inclusive, and sustainable for everyone.
The winner, Take Five to Age Well — led by The Open University — was praised for its simple yet powerful approach to helping people adopt daily habits across five key areas: eat, drink, move, connect, and think.
Chair and judge Helen Donovan commended the initiative, saying:
“Remarkably, 87% of survey respondents largely maintained their daily habits nine months on. The impact and the sheer number of partners — 500 — made it a stand-out initiative and a clear winner.”
Developed through co-design with older adults, clinicians, and charities, Take Five to Age Well blends digital and offline tools to ensure accessibility, particularly for carers and those who are digitally excluded. Since its 2023 pilot and 2025 national rollout, it has engaged over 5,000 participants and 500 partner organisations, demonstrating that self-care can be inclusive, low-cost, and highly scalable. The initiative has become a blueprint for preventative care and healthy ageing across the UK.
Dr Jitka Vseteckova, Open University programme lead for Take Five to Age Well, said:
“We’re delighted to see Take Five recognised with this award. It’s a testament to the strength of community partnerships and the power of small, daily actions to improve both mind and body. Our aim has always been to make healthy ageing achievable for everyone.”
Dr Pete Smith, President of the Self-Care Forum and awards judge, congratulated all entrants:
“The highly commended entries were also powerful self-care initiatives, indeed each year, the standard rises. It’s remarkable to see the excellent work happening in local communities to support people to self-care. We hope these awards not only recognise that excellence but inspire others to adopt and build on these approaches in their own areas.”
David Skinner from the International Self-Care Foundation, which sponsored the Self-Care Award, added:
“The UK continues to lead the way in supporting self-care. The Self-Care Forum should be applauded for shining a light on this work and giving organisations a platform to share their successes.”
Highly commended initiatives
Embedding a Culture of Self-Care in Healthcare Education – Queen’s University Belfast, School of Nursing & Midwifery
This initiative integrates self-care into healthcare education to tackle stress, burnout, and poor wellbeing among students and staff. Through a 12-week assessed module, a digital platform (The Wellbeing Shelf), and peer-led support groups, it has reached over 2,000 users and trained 120+ peer leaders. By positioning self-care as a professional competency, it sets a new standard for wellbeing in healthcare training.
Virtual Wrist Fracture Self-Care Protocol – Swansea Bay University Health Board
Introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, this model empowered patients with minimally displaced wrist fractures to manage recovery at home. Assessed virtually and discharged with self-care guidance, patients reported 92% satisfaction, no surgeries required, and annual savings of £13,500. Now adopted for other stable fractures in the UK and abroad, the protocol is a proven, scalable approach to patient-centred fracture care.
C-section Self-Care Recovery Bundle – Lansinoh UK
With caesarean births now accounting for over 42% of deliveries in England, this initiative supports postnatal recovery through Hydrogel Pads for incision care, a CPD-accredited training module for healthcare professionals, and Clinical Pearls—short, evidence-based prompts. With 1,200 professionals trained and 20,000 support units distributed, it’s improving maternal wellbeing and demonstrating how ethical collaboration between healthcare and industry can deliver lasting impact.
Ends
For media enquiries:
Libby Whittaker, Manager 020 7421 9318 or libby.whittaker@selfcareforum.org
Notes to editors:
- National Self-Care Week runs from 17–23 November 2025.
- The 2025 theme is “Mind & Body.”
- The Self-Care Awards recognise outstanding initiatives that empower individuals and communities to take better care of their health and wellbeing. https://www.selfcareforum.org/self-care-best-practise/
- The Self-Care Forum is a UK charity dedicated to embedding self-care into everybody’s everyday life.
- The International Self-Care Foundation produced the 7 pillars of self-care. https://isfglobal.org/
