Nottingham Children’s Hospital youth service manager recognised in the King’s birthday honours | Latest news

The King’s birthday honours list was published at the weekend and one of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s (NUH) own is on it. Youth service manager, Donna Hilton, is being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM), for her services for children and young people.

On the news of her award Donna said: “It feels so surreal. I can’t describe it. It just feels incredible.”

Donna oversees the youth work team at NUH which is now made up of a team of six with the additional help of 12 volunteers. When she got the job in 1998, youth work in hospitals wasn’t something she was aware of. In fact, the youth service at NUH was a pioneer service in the NHS.

Donna explained: “We’ve written a few papers, and other hospitals have come to us to develop their own youth work programmes.

Shelley Jepson, lead nurse for Children’s renal service at NUH, said: "Donna has led the way in hospital youth work and in doing so has changed the lives of countless young people both locally and nationally.

“She has many talents, but what stands out is her skill at finding solutions to ensure young people with long term health conditions meet their full potential, whether that's attending youth club, volunteering for the service, or speaking in Parliament.

“I am absolutely delighted that Donna has received recognition for everything that she has achieved since setting up the hospital youth service 27 years ago"

Donna reflected on her award and career to date in the latest episode of the NUH podcast, ‘Don’t say the Q word’ (available from Wednesday 17^th June 2026), as we sit in the youth room near the children’s ward E40.

Donna said: “There are so many examples of young people having a moment to talk or just sit quietly to escape the noise of the wards.”

She remembered one young man who attended the youth club they run every Wednesday evening which she describes as “the highlight of her week”. This young person had kidney disease and was on and off dialysis. Life at home was difficult, , he struggled with support and he had been through three different schools due to bullying.

Donna recalled: “He was playing pool and looking around the place, and I asked him if he was ok and he replied, ‘I can’t believe I have been here for nearly two hours, and no one has said anything bad to me’.[NM2] 

“Helping them navigate their long-term health condition and seeing them grow with confidence and overcome those barriers is so rewarding.”

Moments like this still hit Donna hard and remind her why she does what she does. And it is further proof of why she deserves this recognition.

“You don’t set out to do work to get an honour”, she reflected.

“When you do something, you really love and get recognised for it, it’s one of the best moments I think I’ve ever experienced.”

Donna will be awarded her medal by the lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering and will also be attending a royal garden party to celebrate her achievement.