Award Recognition for The McQueen Charter

Named after Dr Carl McQueen, who worked in the air ambulance community and died by suicide in 2016, The McQueen Charter addresses a bigger picture of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. It aims to give employers a thorough guide on how to improve the employment experience and encourage genuine reflection on opportunities to understand and improve workplace practices.

Sarah Atkins (formerly of East Anglian Air Ambulance) and Dr Carl McQueen’s wife, Kirsty McQueen Mornington, were the driving force behind The McQueen Charter. This was developed, alongside lived experience contributions from East Anglian Air Ambulance crew and ground staff, to guide personnel within Helicopter Emergency Medical Service providers on the best way to support the mental health of those who work in any role within the sector – but around 99% of the Charter would be applicable in any organisation.

The Charter is a clear and concise toolkit which demonstrates achievable steps to creating a working environment where staff feel empowered to address their mental health and wellbeing and to help others do the same. It highlights best practices, ways to create clear signposting and support for employees, advocates mental health first aid training and several other achievable steps which can help create an open and honest working environment where mental health and wellbeing is recognised and, importantly, prioritised.

Kirsty and Sarah were honoured to collect the award at the annual Liz Sizer Gala held at Corpus Christi College on Saturday 22 November.

Sarah Atkins said, “The McQueen Charter gives practical advice and guidance to realise what is needed to support organisations to support staff.  There is no checklist that I can lean on to try and formulate a set of words as to what this award means.  I am just so grateful to have played a small part in helping Carl’s family carry on his legacy and to East Anglian Air Ambulance for giving us the platform to show the impact of the work.”

Kirsty McQueen Mornington added, “I am deeply touched that The McQueen Charter has been recognised in this way by the remarkable team at You Ok Doc? Winning the Liz Sizer Award honours not just the Charter’s mission, but Carl’s unfailing commitment to the belief that we are all capable of making a difference. Nearly a decade on, positive change continues because he lived, and because Sarah Atkins demonstrated just how much of a difference we can make when we get curious, and we get creative. With East Anglian Air Ambulance behind it, the sky truly is the limit.”

The Liz Sizer Awards are organised by You Okay Doc? – a registered charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals. Their mission is to empower healthcare professionals to seek support, speak openly about mental health, and effectively manage the pressures of their profession.