FIVE district charities have won national recognition for a joint project aimed at reducing demand on overstretched hospital A&E departments.

The MAST – Multi Agency Support Team – initiative was amongst the winners in the annual Charity Times Awards.

It took the honours in the Charity Collaboration of the Year category.

The scheme – delivered as part of a collaboration involving Keighley-based Project 6, the Cellar Trust, Hale, Keighley Healthy Living and Carers' Resource – works with individuals at risk of frequent hospital admissions.

It provides specialist support to patients – while they are in hospital, as well as in the community following discharge – to improve their wellbeing and address issues that may lead to readmission.

The team has won high praise from local authority and NHS chiefs.

Lorraine O'Donnell, chief executive of Bradford Council, says: "This award is a great achievement for everyone involved and we are very proud of what the team has accomplished. In the Bradford district we recognise that collaboration is central to tackling many complex social issues, and it's good to see this approach being rewarded.

"MAST highlights the importance of shared values across all the agencies involved, and working in partnership in this way allows our practitioners to fully understand complex care needs and provide more successful outcomes for people."

And Professor Mel Pickup, chief executive officer of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, says: "MAST is a brilliant example of collaborative working across the NHS; voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, and local government. The team is a real asset within our hospitals, helping us to deliver better support for the people of Bradford district."

Since it was launched in 2019, the MAST project has expanded, and now has a presence in Airedale Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary.

A spokesperson says: "Last year we worked with 3,656 people, supporting them with needs around mental health, substance use, frailty and other social barriers.

"The team includes specialist workers from each partner organisation, sharing resources and expertise."

Kim Shutler, chief executive of the Cellar Trust, says: "MAST is a perfect example of what can be achieved through partnership working and dogged determination. This wouldn't have been possible without brave, innovative commissioning across Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership."

The Charity Times Awards aim to celebrate 'excellence and innovation' in the charity and non-profit sector.

The presentation ceremony was at Grosvenor Square, London.