Presented as part of Rail Wellbeing Live, the biggest health and wellbeing movement in the history of the rail industry, the Rail Wellbeing Hero Award recognises those that go above and beyond to promote and deliver health and wellbeing in the rail industry.

Vikky was one of only five shortlisted from over 200 nominations, and was recognised for her Building Relationships on Site (BROS) programme. A mental health initiative Vikky built and launched in 2022, to help frontline employees, so that they can proactively engage with mental health conversations.

The scheme encourages employees to react to situations at work in the same way they would in normal life, substituting work behaviours for personal behaviours and treating colleagues how they would family and friends. It also teaches operatives how to recognise changes to people’s behaviours, and build their own self-awareness.

Reflecting on her win, Vikky commented: “The Rail Wellbeing Live Hero Awards was such an amazing experience. Meeting all of the finalists and being interviewed by Kate Silverton isn't something you expect to experience in your lifetime – well not for me anyway.

“I was so proud and overwhelmed to win the award. Being able to talk about BROS and share experiences, and the effects it has had on our employees, means that we can keep the momentum going for next year, so that BROS can be developed further, allowing us to set even bigger goals in the future.”

Stuart Webster-Spriggs, VolkerRail’s HSQES director, commented: “We would like to thank Vikky for all her hard work throughout the development of BROS. It is great to see her receiving numerous awards that recognise her achievements as a true mental health champion.”