Congratulations to Sue Nash, winner of the Gary Seaman Award 2025.
The award was established in memory of Gary Seaman, a dedicated practitioner who spent many years working in the London Borough of Lewisham, supporting and championing families affected by substance use until his passing in 2013. Created to honour Gary’s legacy, the award recognises individuals who, like him, make an exceptional contribution to supporting families affected by substance use.
Sue received this year’s award in recognition of her outstanding work facilitating the Peterborough Kinship Carers support group, where she has provided a vital lifeline to kinship families.
Kinship care is when a child is raised by a family member or close friend because their parents are unable to care for them. In the UK, more than 180,000 children are currently living in kinship care, and for many of these families, parental substance use has been a significant factor in the child’s placement.
Over many years, Sue’s group has offered essential support, creating a safe and welcoming space where kinship carers can connect with others who share similar experiences. Through the group, carers are able to access practical guidance, exchange mutual support, and find reassurance that they are not alone. Sue has built deep and trusting relationships with the families she works alongside, offering compassion, understanding and steady guidance during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.
The team at Adfam are profoundly grateful for the extraordinary commitment Sue has shown to kinship families in Peterborough.
Reflecting on receiving the award, Sue said:
“This was a wonderful opportunity to highlight that thousands of children are in the care of family members because of parental substance use. Kinship families need support, and in making this award for my work as a volunteer, Adfam has demonstrated its continuing understanding of the needs of kinship families.”
Sue Nash receiving the Gary Seaman Award from GP and TV presenter Dr Amir Khan at Adfam’s Carol Concert on 17th December 2025.