Community Inspiration Awards 2024

Community Inspiration Awards Ceremony 2024

We had an incredible evening at the 12th Community Inspiration Awards ceremony last Friday. A big congratulations to all the 39 runners-up and winners who received their awards from a lineup of high profile VIPs. Your accomplishments continue to inspire us all!  Keep up the good work.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the remarkable achievements and contributions of individuals from across our community, including those from the public sector, voluntary organisations, businesses, and social enterprises. With 300 attendees, we honoured the dedication of 65 finalists, carefully chosen from hundreds of outstanding nominations from the Midlands and beyond.

COMMUNITY AWARD CATEGORY

1. Lifetime Achievement Award

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

Award Presenter: Lucy Caldicott, Chief of Staff to the Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority

2nd Runner Up:

Syed Muhammad Faisal Sami - Faizan Global Relief Foundation United Kingdom

For 25 years of volunteering and leading impactful initiatives on laughing gas misuse, knife and gun crime prevention, anti-bullying, disaster relief, and COVID-19 support, profoundly impacting communities both locally and internationally.

1st Runner Up:

Marwan Bakaili - Halesowen/Dudley Yemeni Community Association

For spending over 20 years building a multicultural community hub in Halesowen and Dudley, raising £1 million, securing awards like the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, and securing grants, all while promoting integration and supporting local development despite ongoing funding challenges.

Winner:

Bob Rhodes - Lives through Friends CIC

For dedicating his life to service, leading social work, nursing, and services for people with autism and disabilities, founding LivesthroughFriends CIC, and championing community-based alternatives while advocating for the disadvantaged throughout his career.

2. Duty to the Community Award

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

Award Presenter: Siobhan Blake, Chief Crown Prosecutor at The Crown Prosecution Service

2nd Runner Up:

Davinder Kaur - Skills Work Enterprise Development Agency

For leading employment and enterprise services in Sandwell, co-founding SWEDA and Sandwell Consortium CIC, securing significant funding, and helping thousands of residents overcome barriers to work and business for 35 years.

1st Runner up:

Salma Yaqoob - Birmingham & Solihull Integrated Care System

For leading the ICB Health Inequalities strategy with exemplary leadership, fostering collaboration across Birmingham and Solihull, advocating for fair community remuneration, ensuring culturally appropriate pathways, and bridging gaps between systems.

Winner:

Ravinder Taggar

For establishing Count Me In, which empowers women's voices and fosters community inclusivity by addressing Domestic Violence, Crime, Street Cleaning through Street Watch Groups thereby challenging cultural norms and elevating women's visibility and influence.

3. Bringing People Together Award

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

Award Presenter: Siobhan Blake, Chief Crown Prosecutor at The Crown Prosecution Service

2nd Runner up:

Anes Ceric - Bosnia Herzegovina UK Network

For twenty years of work with Midlands Bosnian Refugee community activities, managing a 24-hour helpline, organising events, supporting families in Bosnia, and extending aid to Syrian and Ukrainian refugees.

1st Runner up:

Charlie McNeil - The Active Wellbeing Society

For organising a successful fencing outreach event at Ladywood Sports Centre in January 2024, drawing attendees from Surrey and showcasing her commitment to inclusion and diversity.

Winner:

Dawn Edwards - Erdington Litter Busters

For founding Erdington Litter Busters in 2018 to improve local cleanliness and greenery, leading the 'Adopt a Street' initiative with 189 members, transforming spaces, and fostering community connections.

4. Environment Champion Award

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

Award Presenter: Pat Carlvalho, Principal & Chief Executive Officer, Birmingham MET

2nd Runner up:

Soho Road BID CIC

For boosting its high street by offering 24/7 security, organising events, reducing anti-social behaviour, creating green spaces, and providing outreach support, serving as a vital resource hub for businesses and residents.

1st Runner up:

St Giles Pantry Coventry - St Giles Trust

For addressing food poverty and social isolation by offering weekly fresh produce, support with debt and health issues, and connections to essential services, assisting 144 new cases over the past year.

Winner:

Heritage Seed Guardians Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library

For conserving rare vegetable varieties by growing, saving, and returning seeds, producing about half of the seeds needed for conservation each year and supporting biodiversity.

5. Sports Award

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

Award Presenter: Paulette Hamilton, MP for Birmingham, Erdington

2nd Runner Up:

Warwickshire Cricket Foundation

For promoting cricket as an inclusive sport, managing Edgbaston Stadium's community activities, outreach for the club's EDI plan, funded by various charities and partnerships.

1st Runner up:

Mohammed Abdul Hai - Bright Future Association

For demonstrating unwavering commitment to young players' holistic development, instilling life skills and a passion for the game through Saturday morning sessions, impacting skills, integrity, and community cohesion.

Winner:

Saheli Hub

For organising the TRY-ATHON! event, which showcased women of all backgrounds, boosted their confidence and enjoyment, and fostered an inclusive environment for future physical activity.

6. Volunteer Award

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

Award Presenter: Shokat Lal, Chief Executive, Sandwell City Council

2nd Runner up:

Kenneth Thomas Hyde - Special Olympics Sandwell

For being a dedicated volunteer at Special Olympics Sandwell, supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities through positive engagement, administrative duties, and encouragement, significantly enhancing their experience and impact.

1st Runner up:

Sabrina Ffrench - NHS

For being a nurse who supports patient care and fundraising, volunteers for nursing charities, serves as a public governor, and addressing food waste as a charity trustee, significantly benefiting her patients and community.

Winner:

Alvina Ali and Secret Angels Volunteers - Secret Angels

For leading an impactful initiative in Wolverhampton since 2021, including a food bank, digital inclusion programme, and befriending scheme, addressing key community needs and enhancing well-being.

7. Good Neighbour Award

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

Award Presenter: Chris Payne, Assistant Chief Executive, West Midlands Fire Service

2nd Runner up:

Villa Cross Soup Kitchen

For serving the local community for 10 years, offering a safe space with diverse services, partnering with local organisations, and continuing support through the pandemic, earning recognition for its positive impact and contribution to the community.

1st Runner up:

Jill Fraser - Kissing it Better

For leading the charity since 2012 in creating imaginative healthcare projects, fostering intergenerational connections, and adapting to challenges like the pandemic, significantly impacting awareness, behaviours, and community support for isolated older individuals across Birmingham, the West Midlands, and beyond.

Winner:

Beatric Imielska - Inclusive Life Projects

For being a dedicated carer who advocates for underserved communities, playing a crucial role during the pandemic in reducing health inequalities, supporting NHS engagement, and promoting community equity in Birmingham.

PUBLIC SERVICES AWARD CATEGORY

8. Public Services Award

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

Award Presenter: Mike O’Hara, Assistant Chief Constable, West Midlands Police

2nd Runner up:

A Better Tomorrow

For empowering adults facing challenges through tailored support programmes, including abstinence and skill-building, with a notable impact and recognition from Telford and Wrekin Council for its contribution to public awareness and plans for expansion.

1st Runner up:

Ruth Forecast - Malvern Welcomes

For being a driving force behind Malvern Welcomes, coordinating support for families through Government and Local Authority schemes, leading a team of volunteers, and managing a range of services from education to fundraising, all whilst maintaining a high level of dedication and support.

Winner:

Caroline Phansi - Contento Social Homes

For significantly supporting domestic abuse survivors in the West Midlands by providing 30 safe houses for over 99 women and children, offering life skills and confidence-building sessions, and fostering empowerment and community awareness on domestic violence.

9. Community Reassurance Award

This award is to recognise the outstanding contribution made by a member of the community or a policing team who have worked hard to successfully improve community safety and reassurance.

Award Presenter: Simon Foster, West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner

2nd Runner up:

Jess Allan - Northfield Community Partnership

For effectively delivering the Neighbourhood Network for Northfield Constituency, connecting local residents with support services, promoting independence, and enhancing community engagement reassurance through various initiatives and grant programmes.

1st Runner up:

Dr Md Arafatur Rahman - University of Wolverhampton

For being a globally recognised academic leader in Cyber Security, IoT, and Wireless Communication, has significantly impacted academia, research, and industry through his extensive teaching, over 150 publications, and his roles in shaping innovative technological solutions and mentoring future researchers.

Winner:

Inspector Hanif Ullah- West Midlands Police

For making a lasting impact through his strong community engagement, significant crime reduction efforts, and recognition with multiple awards, now training new recruits as an Inspector.

10. Health & Wellbeing Award

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

Award Presenter: Richard Kirby, Chief Executive, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

2nd Runner up:

Vision for All

For significantly impacting the community by creating inclusive spaces and offering diverse services, including warm spaces, sports sessions, outreach, food banks, and mentoring, to promote behavioural change, safety, and positive youth development.

1st Runner up:

Melody Bridges - Birmingham and Solihull ICB

For tackling cancer delivery and screening in Birmingham and Solihull with innovative approaches, inspiring teams and improving outcomes despite limited resources, thereby addressing health inequalities and enhancing cancer diagnosis and screening.

Winner:

Community Connexions - Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

For adapting healthcare services to local needs by engaging approximately 400 participants through collaborative projects and community consultations to tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes.

11. Education Services Award

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/achieved the grades.

Award Presenter: Pat Carvalho, Principal & Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham MET

2nd Runner up:

Zoe Bennett - Training Personified Ltd

For significantly impacting the region by securing training contracts, organising awards events, and delivering a nine-month NatWest programme, providing education and support that has led to job placements, recognition, and business development for hundreds of disadvantaged individuals.

1st Runner up:

Nimo Hirsi - SOS Education

For fostering collaboration with the TUC and SOS Education to enhance learning and well-being among Somali and Sudanese communities in Birmingham, organised educational and well-being events, produced a film on mental health and domestic abuse, and improving community engagement and relations.

Winner:

Charlotte Maher-Butler & Hayley Turner - All Stars Senior Group

For establishing All Stars Youth Club for children with SEND and later founding All Stars Senior Group in December 2023, offering regular social events and activities for adults with SEND, significantly enhancing their socialisation opportunities.

12. Business & Enterprise Award

This award is to recognise businesses and social enterprises that have managed to ride the economic downturn or have made positive contribution to their locality and/or customers.

Award Presenter: Shokat Lal, Chief Executive, Sandwell Council

2nd Runner up:

Seven Stars Event Ltd

For providing excellence in food quality and raising the standards in the catering industry by providing a seven-star service to the community along with ensuring no food is wasted through their highly successful event food distribution scheme to the homeless and needy, providing food fit for a king to thousands of poor families throughout the year.

1st Runner up:

Susan Evans - Manor Farm Community Association

For leading impactful projects, securing vital funding, and enhancing community support, earning national recognition while promoting inclusion, compassion, and sustainability.

Winner:

THIA CIC

For playing a pivotal role in the BBM project as a cancer champion, raising awareness and fostering collaboration among seven organisations to address health inequities within Black African and Caribbean communities.

13. Community Organisation Award

This award is to recognise an outstanding voluntary organisation that has made a positive impact on the community through their continuous dedication and passion to help the community.

Award Presenter: Lord-Lieutenant Dr Derrick Anderson, West Midlands Lieutenancy

2nd Runner up:

Halesowen/Dudley Yemeni Community Association

For being a well-established charity since 1994, that passionately serves and unites the community by providing diverse services, fostering partnerships, and supporting inclusivity, earning prestigious awards and significant funding to continue its impactful work.

1st Runner up:

YMCA Sutton Coldfield

For supporting 800 children, young people, and disabled individuals annually, securing funding for a youth-led podcast, establishing a new youth club, and assisting 150 hidden young carers, with their impactful work featured on The One Show.

Winner:

Nechells POD - SHINE@NechellsPOD

For being a vital community hub in one of Birmingham's most disadvantaged areas, fostering inclusivity and cohesion through diverse events and activities that celebrate cultural diversity, promote respect, and have contributed to reduced extremism concerns.

APOLOGIES SENT DUE TO PRIOR COMMITMENTS

• Richard Parker, Mayor, West Midlands Combined Authority

• Shabana Mahmood MP, Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood

• Mary Creagh MP CBE, Member of Parliament for Coventry East

• Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley

• Liam Byrne MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North

• The Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts CBE

• Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Kings Heath PC OBE

• Councillor John Cotton, Leader, Birmingham City Council

• Councillor Ian Courts, Leader, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

• Councillor George Duggins, Leader, Coventry City Council

• Kevin O Keefe, Chief Executive, Dudley Council

• Emma Bennett, Chief Executive, Walsall Council

• Tim Johnson, Chief Executive, City of Wolverhampton Council

• Paul Johnson, Chief Executive, Solihull MBC

• Michael Harkin Vice Chancellor, University College Birmingham

• Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive, Aston University

• Sir David Nicholson KCB CBE, Chairman, The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust