NR Times is excited to reveal the shortlist for the 2025 Above and Beyond award.
The award recognises the exceptional dedication, compassion and innovation of neuro rehabilitation professionals going the extra mile to improve the lives of those affected by neurological conditions, ensuring they receive the highest quality of care and support.
The honour is one of nine being celebrated at NR Times’ third annual awards event, with winners announced on November 19.
The Above and Beyond Award is sponsored by BIS Services.
BIS Services are award winning specialist providers of cognitive rehabilitation and support services in the community, where our aim is to maximise function in our clients who are living with a brain injury or neurological illness.
Congratulations to the shorlist and thank you to everyone who nominated.
Above and Beyond Shortlist
Headway Derby was nominated in recognition of their exceptional, person-centred support for brain injury survivors, often in the most challenging of circumstances.
The small, but dedicated, team consistently goes far beyond traditional neuro-rehabilitation by addressing the real-world barriers that survivors face every single day.
Without this type of support, service users would find navigating their day-to-day lives incredibly challenging.
Headway Derby supports the homeless communities and ex-offenders with complex issues ranging from housing to criminal justice and reintegraton.
Established in 2018 in response to the All‑Party Parliamentary Group’s Time for Change report, N‑ABLES was created out of a clear imperative: children and young people with acquired brain injury (ABI) deserve educational support that lets them thrive, not just survive.
N-ABLES doesn’t just provide information, they build systems, influence policy, and empower change. Their work spans resource development, advocacy, coalition‑building, and service user leadership in equal measure.
Rather than temporary initiatives, N‑ABLES institutionalises change embedding ABI awareness in teacher training and education policy, and ensuring its tools reach frontline practitioners across the UK.
From parental guidance to teacher training films to concussion toolkits, N‑ABLES’ interventions have directly aided families, educators, and clinicians to take evidence‑based, empathetic action in the classroom and community.
Firas Sarhan, clinical lead for education at the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), Stoke Mandeville
Firas is a truly exceptional educator, innovator, and advocate whose contribution to neurorehabilitation and beyond exemplifies what it means to go “above and beyond.”
At the NSIC, Firas has established himself as a passionate leader in education.
His engaging approach and ability to translate complex neurorehabilitation concepts into accessible, practical learning regularly win recognition at national and international medical conferences.
As a trustee of the Cauda Equina Champions Charity and board member of MASCIP (Multidisciplinary Association of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals), Firas played an instrumental role in scoping and shaping the award-winning Cauda Equina App, ensuring it meets both patient and clinical needs.
He was also central to the creation and launch of the CES Healthcare Passport, a pioneering tool now empowering patients to manage their condition more effectively while enabling clinicians to provide consistent, informed care across settings.
Beyond his professional roles in the UK, he is also a trustee of ABCDBethlehem, a charity dedicated to supporting children in Palestine.
