Harriet Armstrong

Said the following about Simone Carter:

“I am nominating Simone Carter for the Health and Wellbeing Award as she has made such a positive impact on the lives of tens of thousands of people through the power of social media.

Establishing a social media profile for George the Stourbridge Junction Station Cat was such an innovative and creative way of engaging the customers of West Midlands Railway and beyond. Not only has Simone found a really clever way of providing an insight to railway life through the eyes of a cat, but the friendly persona she created for George is used to communicate encouraging messages to all audiences about self-care, self-acceptance, being kind to others, being true to yourself and generally making people feel better about the world especially during such a challenging time.

2020 and 2021 have been years like no other, with the global COVID-19 pandemic changing the way we live, work and interact socially. So many people have been isolated during the lockdowns, working from home, alone, without the company of friends and loved ones. During this difficult time, Simone has created a safe online space for people seeking positive social connections. She quickly brought together a community of over 30,000 followers that interact with George and each other across various continents. Simone's positive affirmations and empowering messages have global appeal and through her relatively simple but clever idea an enormous community of likeminded people have come together in a welcoming space which is filled with kindness, humour, positivity and acceptance.

Simone has also used the reach of George’s social media profile to raise awareness of charitable causes that support the welfare of both people and animals, such as the Samaritans and cat rescue centres. Her uplifting posts are rays of positivity and strongly advocate the importance of considering our own mental wellbeing.

The publicity and positive engagement generated by George's popularity on social media has led to significant interest from the national press and television, and he has been featured in several articles and on national TV. Also, people travel from far and wide to visit George at Stourbridge Junction Station. Simone has truly brought people together through selflessly providing daily inspiration through George's social media accounts.

My personal experience of interacting with George the Stourbridge Junction Station Cat's social media account has made a huge difference to my wellbeing during the pandemic. I work on the NHS frontline, and needless to say it's been a very tough time. Everywhere I turned seemed to remind me of the stress and trauma of the day to day, but when I discovered George and started interacting with his persona and his community, I found so much kindness, support, humour and positivity, which was a real tonic, and still is. This has really helped me cope throughout the pandemic. The positive daily interactions make me more aware of own wellbeing and encourage me to reach out and express myself more.

I think it is so important to celebrate and recognise the enormous contribution Simone has made to share positivity, advocate kindness and promote health and wellbeing to so many people during these challenging times.“

Tracey Dagley

Said the following about Simone Carter:

“I would like to nominate Simone for her innovative use of social media channels to bring a positive outlook each day throughout the pandemic and beyond by creating accounts for George, The Stourbridge Junction Station Cat.

Life on the Railway and WMT through the eyes of an adorable station cat has captured the hearts and minds of thousands worldwide and brings pleasure to so many people who may otherwise be isolated. She promotes safety, charitable causes and also the power of engagement.

Simone is inspirational and deserves recognition for the wonderful way she brings many people together. George is my daily go to for some positive thought and laughter. I expect many people have also used rail to travel to Stourbridge just to see George, they may not use rail ordinarily in the course of their life but this does bring a positive promotional aspect to the use of rail to travel.

It is important to celebrate this enormous contribution to wellbeing during challenging times and making a difference to so many.“