A six-year-old who organised a community Christmas dinner in Northallerton and helps the homeless was among the winners at the county’s annual community awards.
North Yorkshire County Council’s annual community awards, now in their fifth year, celebrate and showcase voluntary work by individuals and organisations that make their neighbourhoods better places to live.
The judges, including representatives of the county council, volunteer organisations and young people, was impressed by the quality of the nominees.
This year, there were 55 nominations for 41 groups and individuals.
The winners were announced at the North Yorkshire Wider Partnership Conference at The Pavilions, Harrogate.
Among the winners was six-year-old Amirah Stones, who won the young people volunteering award.
She is the youngest volunteer who helped to organise a community Christmas dinner in Northallerton.
Amirah also saves her pocket money to buy hats and scarves for the homeless.
Sporting Memories Foundation, in Topcliffe, won the best community group category.
The group provides sporting reminiscence, cognitively stimulating games and physical activity facilitated by trained volunteers.
Tony Jameson-Allen, co-founder of the group, said: “Winning the award is absolute testament to the volunteers that run it.
“There are five who have been running the club week in week out, making sure that everyone gets everything they possibly can from the sessions. This prize money will help us to continue to support the volunteers, but also buy some more equipment for the club and hopefully have a celebration event as well.”
County Council Chair Councillor Jim Clark, who co-presented the awards, said: “It is a privilege to be able to say thank you with these awards to some of the thousands of volunteers across North Yorkshire who give their time and skills so generously to help others.
“I’d like to extend that thanks to every volunteer in North Yorkshire who gives their time so freely. Without the tens of thousands of hours of support they give each year, life in North Yorkshire would be poorer for many people.”
Guest speaker the Rt Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Ripon, said: “We are celebrating a really important group of people, our volunteers.
“I work in the life of the church and we are connected into all sorts of communities, and that word, connection, is a really important theme in this conference. It is the volunteers that enable some of those connections to happen and come to life, so it is great to be here to celebrate their work.”
Kim Leadbeater, an ambassador for the Jo Cox Foundation, spoke at last year’s awards ceremony and returned this year to present the awards.
She said: “I am delighted to be in Harrogate for the second year where I have the honour of presenting the community awards for North Yorkshire.
“It is a very special event, because it really recognises people in communities across the county who are doing amazing work day in and day out to bring people together and to make a difference, so it is an absolute honour to be here.”
The winner of each category receives £1,000 for the project, group or nominated relevant local charity in the case of the individual awards. Two runners-up in each category receive £250.
The winners are:
Best community project
The SMILE project, Skipton: Since January, SELFA has been working with different care homes on its SMILE project. The inspiration was a Channel 4 documentary, Old People’s Home for Four-Year-Olds, an intergenerational experiment designed to tackle the increasing problem of loneliness and isolation among older people. SELFA’s ambition is that friendship between the two generations will blossom and the children will learn to appreciate the elderly members of the community. From baking to movie nights and craft session to trips out, each session is different but enjoyed by all.
Runners-up: Mosaics for Schools; Weaponness Window
Best community group
Sporting Memories Foundation, Topcliffe: The foundation provides sporting reminiscence, cognitively stimulating games and physical activity facilitated by trained volunteers. The therapeutic activities can help to trigger memories to reinforce identity, connect people and improve personal confidence and mental wellbeing. The inclusive sports include indoor curling, boccia and activities to support strength and balance. The club also provides networking opportunities, signposting and respite for families and carers.
Runners-up: Grassington Hub; Parents of Special Children, Hambleton/Richmondshire. Highly commended: Tadcaster Swimming Pool Trust Volunteers
Volunteer of the year
Natalie Davies: Natalie is the volunteer Commanding Officer for Scarborough Sea Cadets. Running a centre with more than 100 cadets from disadvantaged families, they offer a wide range of largely free activities, including sailing, windsurfing, rowing, navigation, engineering, first aid, music and catering. Natalie can put in up to 40 hours a week to take the young people on the water, help them to take apart an engine or teach them first aid. The activities are heavily subsidised, enabling young people from low-income families or single-parent families to take part.
Runners-up: Emily Towers; Glennis Hobbs. Highly commended: Linda Moore
Young people volunteering award
Amirah Stones: Six-year-old Amirah is the youngest volunteer who helped to organise a community Christmas dinner in Northallerton. Each month, her chosen day out is to go to York taking gifts for the homeless and, more importantly, to speak to them. She saved her pocket money and spent it in charity shops buying sleeping bags, hats, gloves and socks for the second year in a row to take to York on Christmas Eve and give out around the centre.
Runners-up: Oliver Webster; Young People’s Council
Find out more about the winners and their projects at www.northyorks.gov.uk/communityawards.
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