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NUH youth work pioneer receives British Empire Medal
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Youth Service Manager, Donna Hilton BEM, has been presented with her British Empire Medal (BEM) by the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire at a ceremony held at Bridgford Hall.
Donna was recognised in The King's Birthday Honours 2026 for her services to children and young people, following almost three decades of pioneering work supporting young people with long-term health conditions.
Joined by family and friends at the ceremony, Donna formally received the medal from Professor Veronica Pickering OBE MBS HAC, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.
Donna became the UK's first hospital youth worker in 1998 when she joined NUH to lead what was then a pioneering service within the NHS. Over the past 28 years, she has transformed the Trust's youth service from a small pilot project into an established team supporting more than 400 young people every year.
Under her leadership, the service has become nationally recognised for its innovative approach to helping young people navigate life with long-term health conditions. Donna established the UK's first hospital youth club for young people with long-term conditions, developed life-skills and transition programmes that have been adopted elsewhere, and founded the National Health Based Youth Workers Group to help professionals across the country share knowledge and improve practice.
Speaking when she learned she would receive the honour, Donna said: "It feels so surreal. I can't describe it. It just feels incredible."
Reflecting on her career, Donna said: "You don't set out to do work to get an honour. 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."
Throughout her career, Donna has championed opportunities for young people whose lives are often impacted by serious and long-term health conditions. The NUH Youth Service provides a safe and supportive environment where young people can build confidence, develop new skills and connect with others facing similar challenges.
Shelley Jepson, Lead Nurse for Children's Renal Services 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."
The recognition marks a significant milestone for both Donna and the NUH Youth Service, which continues to be regarded as a national leader in supporting young people with long-term health conditions.
You can hear Donna reflect on her remarkable career and the impact of youth work in healthcare in episode 5 of the NUH podcast: Don't say the Q word podcast | NUH