We’re delighted to share that the Sleep and Cancer project has been shortlisted for the Ingrid Fuchs Cancer Nursing Award at the 2026 Nursing Times Awards. This recognition reflects a truly collaborative approach and the role of the Cancer Co-production Group in shaping the work.

From the outset, people living with cancer shared their experiences of disrupted sleep, something often overlooked but with a significant impact on quality of life and wellbeing.

Through the Lincolnshire Cancer Co-production Group, these conversations helped to highlight not just the issue, but what meaningful support should look like. As we see across our work, when lived experience is the starting point, solutions are more relevant, compassionate and effective.

The group played a key role in designing the cancer and sleep support pages shaping language, identifying what information people really need, video recording their own experiences to share and ensuring the content reflects real experiences rather than assumptions.

This collaboration between patients, clinicians and partners created a resource that is practical, accessible and rooted in empathy. It shows how co-production leads to better, more person-centred design. Sleep is often seen as a “secondary” issue in cancer care, but for many people it can be one of the hardest parts of their journey.

This shortlisting celebrates not just a project, but what’s possible when we work together to design support that truly reflects people’s lives.

This work wouldn't have been possible without The Sleep Charity, The Lincolnshire Cancer Co-production Group and a wonderful team including the project team and every CNS, Nurse, AHP and CCC who has embraced the project.

Congratulations to all involved for a well-earned achievement.