Freshies Finalist 2026: Wellbeing Warrior (and yes, I’m still a bit stunned)
Written by Stephanie Austin, Founder & Lead Trainer at Prima Cura Training
I’m still letting this sink in.
I’ve been named a finalist in the Wellbeing Warrior category at The Freshies Awards 2026, which celebrate independent businesses across the North West UK. And while I’m absolutely proud, what matters most here isn’t the title, it’s what sits behind it.
Because well-being isn’t something I talk about lightly. It’s something I work on every single day.
A second award nomination within a year (and a reminder that consistency counts)
Earlier this year, I had the huge honour of winning Health & Wellbeing Leader 2025 at the BizWomen Awards. That recognition meant a lot, not just personally, but professionally, because it acknowledged years of steady, behind-the-scenes work rather than a single moment or campaign.
Being shortlisted again, in the same year, feels like confirmation that doing things properly, consistently, and with care still matters. That wellbeing isn’t a trend or a buzzword, but something built through experience, trust, and showing up even when no one’s watching.
Thank you to everyone who voted (and to the mystery nominator)
Before anything else, a very genuine thank you to everyone who voted for me during the public voting round. I don’t take that support lightly. Votes take time, effort, and intention, and I felt every single one.
And then there’s the person who nominated me in the first place.
I still don’t know who you are.
But I do know this: you saw something in my work that you felt was worth putting forward, without being asked, without expectation. That kind of recognition is rare, and I’m incredibly grateful. Whoever you are, thank you for starting this journey.
What “Wellbeing Warrior” actually looks like in practice
Let’s be honest, well-being gets talked about a lot, but it’s not always handled well.
For me, well-being isn’t slogans or surface-level gestures. It looks like:
- Giving people confidence to act in emergencies rather than fear of getting it wrong
- Delivering training that’s calm, practical, and rooted in real-world situations
- Helping employers understand risk without panic or blame
- Making learning accessible, inclusive, and human
- Creating spaces where people feel safe to ask questions and admit uncertainty
This is especially true in first aid, health and safety, and care-related training, where well-being and safety are deeply connected. When people understand what to do and why they’re doing it, anxiety drop,s and confidence grows. That’s not accidental. That’s design.
Much of this work sits quietly behind courses like our Emergency First Aid at Work training, our health and safety awareness courses, and our wider approach to workplace wellbeing and risk management. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
Experience matters (and it always has)
One of the things I care deeply about is experience. Real experience. The kind that comes from delivering training across different sectors, adapting to different environments, and understanding that no two workplaces, or people, are the same.
Wellbeing-led training doesn’t come from a script. It comes from:
- Listening
- Adapting
- Staying up to date with guidance
- And respecting the reality of the people in the room
That experience underpins everything I do, and it’s why recognition like this matters. Not as validation, but as reassurance that this approach works.
Proud to be part of the North West business community
The Freshies Awards shine a spotlight on businesses across the North West, and I’m proud to be part of that community. Independent businesses, sole traders, and small teams doing meaningful work, often quietly, often without big budgets or noise.
Being shortlisted alongside so many brilliant people is genuinely an honour — and a reminder that impact doesn’t have to be loud to be real.
Whatever the outcome, this already means a lot
Awards nights come and go. What lasts is trust.
Being recognised as a Wellbeing Warrior finalist tells me that the way I approach training, safety, and support resonates with people. That clients, learners, and peers see value in calm, practical, people-first work.
And that’s something I’ll always be proud of.
Thank you again to everyone who voted, supported, and encouraged me along the way. If you’d like to know more about who we are, how we work, and what lies behind our training, you can read more on our About Us page.
This article reflects a personal and business milestone and is shared for informational purposes only. Award nominations and outcomes are determined independently by a panel of judges. Any views expressed are those of Prima Cura Training at the time of writing.
