The finalist and winners of the Community Inspiration Awards 2014 was announced on Friday 2nd May 2014 at the Al-Miraj Banqueting Suite. Hundreds of nominations were whittled down to 51 finalist to be considered for one of the 16 Award categories.

The Community Inspiration Awards has been organised by the Community Foundation, to recognise outstanding contributions made by staff from public sector organisations and members of the community, whose efforts have made a positive difference in the community and has inspired and motivated others.

The awards were presented by the Rt. Hon Lorley Burt MP, John Hemming MP, Shabana Mahmood MP, Phil Bennion MEP, David Owen OBE, Naz Khan Assistant Principal South and City College Birmingham, West Midlands Chief Fire Officer Phil Loach, and Chris Sims the Chief Constable for West Midlands Police.

The finalists and winners of each of the categories were as follows:

PUBLIC SECTOR CATEGORY

Community Reassurance Award Presented by: Chris SimsChief Constable WM Police

To recognise the outstanding contribution made by a member of the WM Police Service or a policing team who have worked hard with the community to successfully improve community safety and reduced fear of crime in an area.

Finalist:

PCSO Rob Cappella, WM Police, Lozells & Handsworth NT                          Nominator: Saidul Hoque, Citizen’s UK B’ham

Sgt. Russell Webb, WM Police, Yardley NT                                                    Nominator: Iqbal Soleman, Coalition of Civic Organisation

Winner: Soho Neighbourhood Policing Team WM Police                               Nominator: Sgt. Lawless, WM Police, Soho NTAwards

Public Services Award Presented by: Rt. Hon John Hemming MP

This award is to recognise an outstanding contribution made by an officer or a team from the council or housing association by going the extra mile to respond to the service needs of the community and improve customer satisfaction.

Finalist:

Ashok Patel Midlands Heart                                                                               Nominator: Cllr Waseem Zaffar, Lozells & East Handsworth Ward

Jobseekers Allowance 25+ (age group) Team                                                   Nominator: Michelle Price, Dept. Work and Pensions

Winner:

Dr. Mashuq Ally, Birmingham City Council                                                          Nominator: Cllr Waseem Zaffar, Lozells & East Handsworth Ward

Fire Fighter Award Presented by: Phil Loach WM Chief Fire Officer

This award is to recognise an outstanding fire fighter or a team who have worked hard to reduce fire risk to save people/property.

Finalist:

Stephen McLean, West Midlands Fire Service                                                Nominator: Adam Harper, West Midlands Fire Service

Sgt. Russell Webb, WM Police & WC Paul Bayliss, WM Fire Service             Nominator: Rob Davis, West Midlands Fire Service

Winner:

David Owen, Ladywood Fire Station                                                                 Nominator: Jason Jew West Midlands Fire Service

Health & Well Being Award Presented by: Rt. Hon Shabana Mahmood MP

This award is to recognise the significant contribution made by a health practitioner or a team to improve health and well being of the community though their continuous dedication and commitment to help others going beyond their call of duty.

Finalist:

Salma Lokat, Mashriq Challenge Resource Centre                                         Nominator: Jasbir, Sukhvir, & Jatinder Rai Service Users

Carers advice & Resource Establishment, Sandwell                                       Nominator: Tracey Smith, Sandwell Young Carers

Winner:

Steve Woods My Time CIC                                                                               Nominator: Perwez Iqbal, South and City College Birmingham

Education Award Presented by: Naz KhanAssistant Principal, South & City College Birmingham

This award is to recognise an individual or a team who has been innovative in creating opportunities for people to get into education or complete their education who otherwise would not have studied.

Finalist:

Gemma McSweeny, West Midlands Fire Service: Hay Mills                               Nominator: WC Paul Johnson West Midlands Fire Service

Steven Mclean, West Midlands Fire Service: Ward End                                     Nominator: Katrina Harris, Midlands Fire Service

Winner:

Nicola Walters, Handsworth Wood Girls Academy                                              Nominator: Saidul Haque, Citizens UK BirminghamA

Media Award Presented by: Rt. Hon Lorely Burt MP

This award is to recognise an individual or a media company that has promoted positive messages/productions to foster better community spirit.

Finalist:

Nazrul Islam (Riyad Ahmed) Channel S                                                               Nominator: Abdullah Ismail, Euroasia Legal Services

Joynal Islam, ATN Bangla Channel                                                                      Nominator: Iqbal Soleman, Coalition of Civic Organisation

Winner:

Ahmad Bosten, Unity FM Radio and Noor TV                                                      Nominator: Qudues Zafar, iEngage

Community Citizenship Award Presented by: Rt. Hon Phil Bennion MEP

This award is to recognise an individual or a team who has supported ex offenders or those at risk of offending  to reintegrate back into the community to become valued citizens.

Finalist:

PC Angela Warren Smith & Sergeant Leo Richards WM Police                           Nominator: Liz Astley, Birmingham City Council

Dennis Hamilton, Newtown Neighbourhood Forum                                              Nominator: Sergeant Michele Birch, WM Police: Aston NT

Winner:

Amy Freeman WM Police- Gangs Task Force                                                       Nominator: Soulia Yiasouma, Birmingham City Council

Community Organisation Award Presented by: David Owen OBE

This award is to recognise an outstanding voluntary sector organisation or social enterprise that has had a large positive impact on the community through their continuous dedication and passion to help the community.

Finalist:

SWEDA (Sandwell women’s enterprise development agency)                             Nominator: Icyline O’Connor, Millie’s Foundation

Mark Harland, Street Teams                                                                                  Nominator: Mrs Maxine Barlow, Central Fundraising Services

Winner:

Iqbal Nasim, National Zakat Foundation                                                                Nominator: Mariam Malik, Greenland Primary School

COMMUNITY CATEGORY

Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by Rt. Hon John Hemming MP

This award is to recognise the outstanding achievements made by a person throughout their lifetime and is an inspiration to others.

Finalist:

Maurice Irfan Coles, The CoED Foundation                                                            Nominator: Mujahid Hussain, B’ham Darul Ulom Madrasa & High School

Sr. Helen Ryan, Sisters of Mercy at St Mary’s Convent                                           Nominator: Saidul Hoque Citizen’s UK Birmingham

Winner:

Dr. Molana Abdul Rahim Jami Masjid & Islamic Centre                                           Nominator: ATM Mukaram Hasan IFE Midlands

Duty to the Community Award Presented by Chris Sims Chief Constable WM Police

This award is to recognise a politician for their dedication to serve the community through thick and thin to bring about improvements in their constituent area or to a community.

Finalist:

Cllr Mariam Khan, Washwood Heath Ward                                                              Nominator: Qudues Zafar, i Engage

Cllr Majid Mahmood, Hodge Hill Ward                                                                     Nominator: Qudues Zafar, i Engage

Winner:

Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Lozells and East Handsworth Ward                              Nominator: Saidul Haque Saeed, Birmingham Citizen’s UK

Bringing People Together Award Presented by David Owen OBE

This award is to recognise outstanding individuals or a group who have improved community cohesion by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures to work together.

Finalist:

Mohammed Saghir, Faiz ul Quran Masjid                                                                Nominator: Mohammad Sultan Uddin, West Midlands Police

Sergeant Mustafa Mohammed, West Midlands Police                                            Nominator: Salma Khan, West Midlands Police

Winner:

Dominic Taylor, MY Time CIC                                                                                   Nominator: Jason Mistry, Locality Awards

Community Leadership Award Presented by Rt. Hon Phil Bennion MEP

This award is to recognise an individual who has shown leadership in their local area by working together with communities and or organisations to respond to a community need and made a positive impact in their community.

Finalist:

Mohammed Shafique, Asiana Community Project                                                   Nominator: Mohammed Ashraf, Sparkbrook Neighbourhood Forum

David Treadwell, Acocks Green Forum                                                                    Nominator: PC Victoria Manley, West Midlands Police: Acocks Green

Winner:

Syed Anwar Babu, IFE Midlands                                                                              Nominator: Abdullah Ismail, Euroasia Legal Services

Community Dedication Award Presented by Rt. Hon Lorely Burt MP

This award is to recognise an individual who has dedicated their time and energy voluntarily to an organisation or cause through which they have made a significant difference in the community.

Finalist:

Mr Charles le page, Sampson Road Residents Association                                   Nominator: Mr Javed Khan, Sampson Road Residents Association

Ms Janet Thorne, Christmas Day Together                                                             Nominator: Fr. Jeremy Dussek, Christmas Day Together

Winner:

Saidah Jameel Sultana, Pure Hearts                                                                      Nominator: Rana Nazir, British Kashmiri Women’s Council

Good Neighbour Award Presented by Rt. Hon Shabana Mahmood MP

This award is to recognise someone with a heart of gold, who is always on hand to help out their neighbours and make everyday life better for their neighbours

Finalist:

PC Ian NorthCott, West Midlands Police                                                                Nominator: Catherine Cotter, Birmingham Children’s Hospital

Special Constable Steve Smith, West Midlands Police                                          Nominator: PC Mohammad Sultan Uddin, West Midlands Police

Winner:

Dennis Hamilton, Newtown Neighbourhood Forum                                               Nominator: Sergeant Michele Birch, West Midlands Police

Environment Champion Award Presented by Phil Loach WM Chief Fire Officer

This award is to recognise an individual or an organisation who has been helping to make positive improvements to the environment

Finalist:

Umar Bahadur, Sparkbrook Neighbourhood Forum                                              Nominator: Mohammed Ashraf, Sparkbrook Neighbourhood Forum

Washwood Heath NT West Midlands Police                                                         Nominator: Cllr Mariam Khan, Birmingham City Council

Winner:

JunkBusters                                                                                                          Nominator: Peter Larkin, University of Birmingham

Sports Award Presented by Rt. Hon Phil Bennion MEP

This award is to recognise an individual or a club that has supported people to realise their full potential and sporting talent

Finalist:

Mr. Perry Smythe & Mr. Simon Davies, Bike North Birmingham                           Nominator: Bryn Lewis, Bike North Birmingham

Faruk Qazi, Forward Drive Cricket Academy                                                        Nominator: Amar Khalil, West Midlands Police, Handsworth NT

Winner:

Naz Khan, SOUTH&CITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM                                           Nominator: PERWEZ IQBAL, SOUTH&CITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM

Special Community Recognition Award:

Rt. Hon John Hemming MP

Rt. Hon Lorely Burt MP

Rt. Hon Phil Bennion MEP

Rt. Hon Shabana Mahmood MP

Awards Presented by organiser and community leaders

Nozmul Hussain

Iqbal Soleman & Jahid Choudhury

Abdullah Ismail