The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) is delighted to share that our Innovation and Research Team won the Silver Award at the British Journal of Nursing (BJN) Awards for their work around our film Invisible, which shines a light on fathers’ mental health. This was in the ‘Nurse/Nursing Team of the Year’ category and the only entry involving public health nurses/ health visitors, so we are really thrilled!

Dr Sharin Baldwin (Senior Health Visitor Research Lead, iHV) and Hilda Beauchamp (Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Lead, iHV) attended the Awards at BMA House in London on Friday 20 March 2026. The BJN Awards celebrate excellence in research and practice while recognising outstanding achievements across the nursing community.

From left: Dr Sharin Baldwin and Hilda Beauchamp

It is such a proud moment to receive this recognition, and we are delighted to have our work acknowledged at such a high-profile event. It highlights the importance of the subject at the heart of Invisible — the often overlooked emotional and mental wellbeing of fathers during the perinatal period – and the growing acknowledgement of fathers’ mental health as an important public health issue.

From left: Dr Sharin Baldwin and Hilda Beauchamp

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to The Burdett Trust for Nursing for funding this vital work. Their support has enabled us to bring greater visibility to an issue that too often remains hidden. We also acknowledge the exceptional contribution of creative director and producer Chris Godwin (Founder and Creative Director, Inner Eye Productions), whose thoughtful and sensitive approach was instrumental in shaping the film.

The film was grounded in the research carried out by Dr Sharin Baldwin, exploring men’s experiences in the transition to fatherhood. Alongside Sharin’s research, Invisible was shaped by interviews with practitioners, researchers, fathers, and parents from diverse backgrounds, whose experiences and insights brought depth and authenticity to the film.

We will be conducting a full evaluation of the impact of the film one year following its launch, so please watch the film and complete this short evaluation form INVISIBLE Film  Feedback Form  – Fill in form.

Sharin said:

“This recognition is incredibly meaningful, not only for our team but for the fathers whose experiences shaped my research. Invisible was created to bring attention to this overlooked aspect of perinatal mental health, and this award helps amplify that message, highlighting the importance of recognising and supporting fathers as an integral part of family wellbeing.”

Hilda said:

“The iHV is extremely proud of Invisible and of the growing impact it is already having. We have already incorporated it into our Fathers’ PIMH Training programme where it is reaching multi-agency audiences. We would encourage all practitioners, services, educators and partners to watch Invisible, share it within their networks, and use it as a conversation starter to support improved awareness and practice around fathers’ mental health.”

To support your practice, please enrol on a future iHV Fathers’ PIMH Training (see here) or for further details contact [email protected]

Together, we can help ensure that no father remains invisible.

On Thursday 17 July, we were delighted to host our latest iHV Insights webinar: ‘Invisible: Exploring Fathers’ Mental Health’

This webinar was funded by The Burdett Trust for Nursing and was open to everyone – not just iHV members! Please share this link with all your health visiting colleagues: https://vimeo.com/1103126010/f344df2e7b?share=copy

At least 1 in 10 men are known to experience poor mental health in the perinatal period. Suicide remains the leading cause of death in men under 50. There is strong evidence that fathers’ mental health has significant impacts on their babies’ health and development, and the health of their partners, during pregnancy and beyond.

Yet services for families, including health visiting, remain strongly focused on mothers, leaving many men feeling ignored, excluded and reluctant to ask for help if they are struggling.

The iHV has collaborated with Inner Eye Productions, with funding from The Burdett Trust for Nursing, to produce a powerful new film Invisible. The film follows Luke’s story as he navigates new fatherhood and seeks to understand the complexity of emotions this evokes.

Our iHV Insights webinar ‘Invisible: Exploring Fathers’ Mental Health’ included:

  • A special screening of Invisible
  • Reflection on the powerful medium of film to effect change
  • Information on how to use the film and its associated training package
  • Q&A session with our expert panel

To watch this iHV Insights session see below or click here