Dundee has won big at the UK Advancing Healthcare Awards for a new book helping expectant families

Dundee’s creative and healthcare sectors have scored a double victory at the prestigious UK Advancing Healthcare Awards, with a local collaboration taking home the Creative and Innovative Practice Award — and the Overall Award of the Night.

The award-winning project, titled “Hello There Wee One”, is the result of a powerful partnership between Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA), NHS Tayside, the University of Dundee, and Dundee City Council.

The initiative centres around a beautifully designed book gifted to expectant families at their 16-week midwifery appointment, completely free of charge. Created by local artist Louise Kirby, the book is a warm and welcoming introduction to pregnancy and parenting in Dundee, offering families a meaningful and creative way to bond with their unborn baby.

Already, over 600 families across the city have received the book, which has been thoughtfully translated into multiple languages — including Dundonian Scots, making it one of the few healthcare resources to embrace the city’s distinctive voice and culture.

The project was celebrated by judges as a standout example of cross-sector collaboration, creativity, and community impact — placing Dundee firmly in the spotlight for its innovative approach to maternal health and family engagement