Unsung heroes in the limelight at awards

And the winners were….

Community Action: Winner - Signposts (Stafford) Limited - Signpost Services. Highly Commended - Hearts and Hands Stafford. Special recognition - Josh Kershaw - Doing my bit to support those in Ukraine.

Social Wellbeing:

It was a night to remember as unsung heroes from across Stafford Borough were the big winners at an annual awards ceremony recently.

The Stafford Borough Council ‘Community Awards’ took place at the Rising Brook Community Church in Stafford.

And the roll of honour included volunteers, organisations and businesses who were among 44 shortlisted nominations attending the event along with the Mayor of the Borough, councillor Phillip Leason, and Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson.

All the winners and those highly commended across several categories were announced to an audience of more than 160 people.

Councillor Jeremy Pert, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Health, said: “It has been another incredible year with so many inspiring stories of those who had stepped up to the mark and helped others in their community over the last year.”

Nominations were open to all people, groups and organisations operating within the borough with projects that have been running during the previous 12 months.

There were six categories - Community Action, Community Learning, Sustainable Environments, Social Wellbeing, Sports and Leisure and Local Hero - as well as some special awards announced on the night.

Cllr Pert, said: “What a great evening it was being able to honour those unsung heroes from across the borough and to hear their inspirational stories.

“We are still living in challenging times and it is wonderful to see so many individuals, volunteers, groups and businesses stand up and be counted in many different ways.

“We know how strong the voluntary sector is in Stafford Borough but what has been delivered yet again has been amazing.”

He added: “It is one of the highlights of the year to be able to recognise their achievements. In my eyes everyone supporting our communities in so many different ways should be thanked, particularly as the last few years have been tough on so many and I hope the evening demonstrated to those nominated and shortlisted how much we value all they do to make our community a better place to live, work and thrive.”

Winner - Stone Alzheimer’s Drop in Club. Highly Commended - GP First - SOLVE (Stafford Organisation of Local Volunteers Events).

Sustainable Environments: WinnerSilkmore Primary Academy - Tiny Forest. Highly Commended – Rising Brook Groundforce.

Local Hero:

Winner - Lorraine Conkey - Stafford Walking Street, Hearts and Hands and Tuesday Club. Highly Commended – Paul Milgate-Scarott - Volunteer Photographer.

Special Recognition - Honor SuttonOperation Comfort - The Comfort Project.

Sport and Leisure:

Winner - Wedgwood Cricket Club Juniors 2022. Winner - Academy Club CIC - Sport and Mentoring in the Community. Highly Commended – Stafford Walking Netball Club.

Community Learning:

Winner - Tony Cooper - English for All. Highly Commended - The Youth Net.

Judges Award:

Winner - Staffordshire Women’s AidForWard House Refuge.

Commonwealth Award:

Winners - Anne Glover, Callum Lea, Chris Barlow, Jan Gittings, Margaret AinsworthHickman, Sally Kendrick, and Sue KneillBoxley.

Special Recognition for services to Stafford Borough: Winner - Martin Young - Supporting Stafford.