Craig Russo to receive British Citizen Award (BCA) at the Palace of Westminster

Our Trust’s Operational Manager in Children’s Neurodevelopment Service, Craig Russo, is among only 26 exceptional individuals to be honoured with the highly esteemed British Citizen Award (BCA) this month at the Palace of Westminster. This recognition celebrates his unique and outstanding contribution to our society.

The Medal Presentation will be held on Thursday 22nd January, where Craig will receive the prestigious BCA Medal of Honour for Services to Volunteering & Charitable Giving (BCAv).

Craig currently works as the Operation Manager for our Children’s Neurodevelopment Service. This service manages referrals for Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD) in children, reviewing the best possible support package for every child.

Outside of his work within the Trust, Craig is a survivor of church-related abuse and has been instrumental in establishing Safe Spaces England and Wales (SSEW) as a survivor-led, independent charity. While the initial concept came from the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England and the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Craig’s advocacy and leadership ensured that survivor voices shaped its development, governance, and ongoing operations. He consistently pushes for transparency, accountability and meaningful change within both institutions, striving to create a culture that prioritises the safety and well-being of all survivors nationally. Through his tireless advocacy and dedication, Craig is not only making a difference in the lives of survivors, but also driving systemic change within the Church.

Craig developed the Primary Care Mental Health service in York, earning a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work. He worked to design new police custody and NHS pathways to improve safety for vulnerable individuals. He also founded a non-registered charity supporting perpetrators of abuse, focusing on reducing reoffending, teaching coping skills and managing emotions.

Craig said, “I’m honoured to have received the British Empire Medal, the Parliamentary Peoples Award, and most recently the British Citizen Award. This recognition reflects a journey grounded in compassion, resilience and public service. It has undoubtedly strengthened my commitment to values-led leadership, professionalism, advocacy and using lived experience to improve outcomes for the people and communities our NHS serves.”

Stephanie Wood from BCA Partner One Stop commented, "This year's medalists exemplify the incredible support within our communities, especially during challenging times. We're honoured to partner with the BCA and play a part in recognising these exceptional individuals."

The ceremony being held in January will be the third Craig has attended in recent years, having received the British Empire Medal in Mental Health Nursing in 2024 and the Parliamentary People’s Award ‘Champion of the Year’ in 2024. This trio of accolades makes Craig’s story particularly rare and the recognition all the more impressive.

Following the ceremony, medalists have also been invited to enjoy an Open Top Lap of Honour tour taking in some of Westminster’s iconic sights in celebration of their positive impact on communities the length and breadth of the UK.