Blackburn organisations and individuals have been praised for their volunteer work and contribution to the community at an awards ceremony.
Blackburn with Darwen Council and Community CVS teamed up to host the the Community Volunteer Awards (CVS) earlier this month.
The ceremony, which was held at King George’s Hall, reward individuals and organisations for the great work they do in and around Blackburn with Darwen.
The awards cover 12 categories including The Good Neighbour Award, Volunteer of the Year, an Environment Award, Grassroots Award and the Community Involvement Award.
Blackburn Rovers Community Trust (BRCT) charity won two awards at the 2022 Community Volunteer Awards at King George’s Hall.
Kelcey Firth, a volunteer on the Blackburn Rovers Neighbourhood Youth Offer, won the Young People’s Award.
After turning 18 earlier this year, Kelcey’s hard work was rewarded as she became a paid full-time member of staff at BRCT, with the Trust continuing to create employment opportunities for young people.
Kelcey said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the opportunities I have been given by Blackburn Rovers Community Trust.
"I love that I was able to give back by volunteering and helping to change the lives of other young people."
BRCT’s Men in Sheds programme won the group Health and Wellbeing Award.
Men in Sheds is a project ran in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council, with the aim of helping men in our community discuss their mental health and develop new skills in a safe environment.
The group has 18 members, and they all meet up on a weekly basis, and have developed close friendships courtesy of the Men in Sheds programme.
Ilyas Patel, Men in Sheds lead for Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, said: “All the credit must go to the participants for making this happen.
“They are a fantastic group, and they consider one another as family after developing close relationships after meeting on the Men in Sheds programme.
“Men in Sheds is a great way for people to communicate, receive support and listen whilst also providing to create brand new friendships.
"I’d like to also say thank you Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn Rovers Football Club for their support in helping run the programme.”
Secret Santa, a charity that gives underprivileged children in the Blackburn with Darwen district Christmas presents, were named winners of the Young People's Award 2022.
Managing director, Phil Boulding, said "We're so humbled and pleased to pick up this award for all of the people that have supported us, currently support us and are thinking of doing so.
"Secret Santa is called this because it's not about us, but about the children and families across BwD that we support.
“The room was full of hundreds of likeminded, amazing people delivering a huge amount of support services for free across our wonderful borough.
"Everyone attending in our minds was a winner, award or not and they fully deserve our applause."
Julie Johnson, a volunteer, added: "It was a great night and we were able to share what Secret Santa is about.
"Personally, I like to volunteer because it gives me the opportunity to support those in need, but it also gives me chance to mix and work with amazing people."
Community group Shad Chefs - The Council Estate Food Connoisseurs, won a Grassroots Community Action Award Group for their mental health group.
The community group launched the ‘Man Hub’ in February, a support group where men can meet up to talk about any issues they have without facing judgement or criticism.
READ MORE: Blackburn: Shad Chefs launch ‘Man Hub’ to tackle male suicide
Group secretary, Graham Turner, said the award means a lot to the team.
He said: “We are elated to have won the award.
“We’ve only been running it for nine months and to win this award after such a short time is fantastic.
“When we were nominated for the awards we thought we would go along for the fun of it and didn’t expect to win.
“We were shocked when our names were called out, it’s a great thing for the group. It’s nice to be recognised for the work we do.”
Graham said the Man Hub is a “lifeline” for some people.
He said: “People can talk about their problems, addictions and general mental health state. It is a space where they can get things off their chest.
“The hub operates off volunteer work, the money comes out of our own pockets and we don’t charge our members for coming.
“In February we had two people come in and now we are getting 20 or more.”
Here is a full list of winners:
• Health and Wellbeing Award – Anne Crook
• Health and Wellbeing Award Group - Men in Sheds
• Prosperity, Learning and Employment Award – Alison Atherton
• Prosperity, Learning and Employment Award Group – St George Scouts – Canalside Activity Centre
• Grassroots Community Action Award – Hasti Jahanghiri
• Grassroots Community Action Award Group – Shads Chef – Man Hub
• Young people’s Award – Kelcey Firth
• Young people’s Award Group – Secret Santa
• Renee Black Award – John East
• Environment Award – Tommy Topping
• Environment Award Group – SAMS Community and Business Partners
• Community CVS Special Award for Outstanding Service – Mohammed Khan MBE
• Culture, Leisure and Sport Award – Uzair Patel
• Culture, Leisure and Sport Award Group – BwD Carers Walking Group
• Lindsay Dunn Award – Ismail Esat
• Lindsay Dunn Award Group – Sliding Doors
• Community Involvement award – DARE
• Good Neighbour Award – Delroy Chung
• Volunteer of the Year Award – Hannah Goldthorpe
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Christine Connell
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