North East VCS Awards

North East VCS Awards 2009

VONNE launches 2009 search for Sector’s Stars

The search is on again for the sector’s stars as we launch the North East Voluntary and Community Sector Awards 2009. Last October we were inundated with more than 130 nominations received for the inaugural awards.  The winners attended a glittering ceremony and were presented with their awards by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson.  The awards are organised by VONNE to celebrate the great work being done by volunteers and charities across the region.

The categories for this year are:

  • Most exciting project
  • Most inspiring campaign
  • Volunteer of the year
  • Outstanding organisation
  • Outstanding leadership
  • Young leader

Keith Willans from St Cuthbert's Hospice won the 2008 Volunteer of the Year award. After recognising that there were no in-patient facilities for the people of North Durham he inspired a group of volunteers to take on the design, project management and fundraising for a 10 bed in-patient hospice facility, offering 24 hour care.

As the project neared completion, Keith himself had a period of ill health, but continued to support the hospice and remained vice chairman during his treatment.

Volunteer of the year

Speaking when he won the award, Keith said: "It is very humbling but extremely gratifying to learn that using my spare time to do a bit of something for nothing has been so widely appreciated."

Jo Curry, chief executive of VONNE, said: "Last year we were flooded with examples of people who quietly get on with improving the lives of others day in day out.

"It was clear that those making the nominations welcomed the chance to celebrate the difference that those people make. I urge people to start thinking of those who deserve such recognition."

The awards are for any voluntary and community sector groups or individuals working in the North East region.  Anyone can make a nomination for an award including for yourself or your own organisation.

Download a nomination form and email to awards@vonne.org.uk The deadline for nominations is September 18th 2009.

 

North East VCS Award Winners 2008

     

    Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson

    The region's voluntary and community sector stars were honoured on Thursday 30 October 2008 at the North East VCS Awards held at the Quayside Exchange in Sunderland.

    Winners were presented with an award by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and other noted leaders of the voluntary and community sector.  The awards recognise the work of individuals and Voluntary and Community Sector organisations from across the region, in helping to develop our communities.

    The winners and shortlisted are:

    Most Exciting Project

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    Winner: A690 Youth Initiative
    Shortlisted:
    Recyke Y'Bike
    Pakistan Cultural Society
    Gap Project - Tyneside Cyrenians

    Most Inspiring Campaign

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    Winner: SmartJustice North East
    Shortlisted:
    Sadberge Village
    North East Home Insulation Partnership
    North East Right to Learn Campaign

    Volunteer of the Year

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    Winner: Keith Willans - St Cuthbert's Hospice
    Shortlisted:
    Pam Scott - RSVP North East
    Simon Baker - Gateshead Volunteer Centre
    Judith Turner - Stillington Residents' Association, Parish Council & Luncheon Club

    Support Organisation

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    Winner: SkillShare North East
    Shortlisted:
    Mental Health North East
    Stockton Residents' & Community Groups Association
    East End Community Development Alliance
    MVDA for Middlesbrough Community Network

    Sector Champion

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    Winner: Declan Baharani - Wansbeck Initiative

    Outstanding Leadership

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    Winner: Alan Millward - South Tyneside Football Trust
    Shortlisted:
    Dorothy Craw - Recyke Y'Bike
    Huffty - West End Women and Girls' Centre
    Jen Fettis - St Simon's Community Project

    Young Leader

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    Winner: Leanne Smith - West End Women and Girls' Centre
    Shortlisted:
    Simon Sundberg - Northumbria Students' Union
    Sam Lavender - EDDY People
    Amy Barber - EDDY People

    Compact of the Year

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    Winner: Hartlepool Borough Council
    Shortlisted:
    Northumberland Compact
    Sunderland Compact

    Outstanding Organisation

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    Winner: A WAY OUT
    Shortlisted:
    Hart Gables
    Escape Family Support
    ADDvance
    West end Refugee Service