Impact on the Community Awards 2023
Impact Awards recognise East Staffordshire and Derbyshire community heroes
Eleven East Staffordshire and Derbyshire -based individuals, organisations and local businesses were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the community at a recent event to celebrate Trent & Dove’s 17th annual Impact on the Community Awards. The event was held in partnership with Burton Albion Community Trust for the second year running.
The awards shine a spotlight on the people and projects that are “Transforming Homes, Lives and Communities” in the region. This year over 50 entries were received from across East Staffordshire and Derbyshire.
The event, which was held at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton upon Trent was hosted by Paul Sinha, one of the six chasers from the ITV game show, The Chase. The celebrity was ably assisted by Burton Albion’s very own players, Joe Powell and Adedeji (Deji) Oshilaja.
Among the winners, Eric Moorhouse (8) from Hatton won the under 18 category for his creative and fundraising efforts for setting up ‘Eric’s Bookmarks for Ukraine’ aged just seven, raising nearly £2,700 for the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal. His parents, Jessica and Tony collected the award on his behalf as he was too young to attend the event.
Mum and Dad, said “Eric has met and touched the hearts of so many people and through their generosity and that of local businesses he's managed to completely smash his initial target of £500, having now raised £2,690! Eric's compassionate and selfless approach to help those in disastrous circumstances is truly an inspiration, especially for someone of such a tender age, he thoroughly deserves this recognition and we’re thrilled for him.”
Rachel Thompson received a special recognition award for her impact on the environment after she transformed an unused plot of land in her hometown of Uttoxeter into a community orchard with the help of local volunteers.
Brothers George and Harry Preston also received special recognition for their efforts and dedication in collecting food parcels and donating them to Burton HOPE. George initially started the project as a three-month community initiative to support his Duke of Edinburgh Award in 2020 but carried on doing weekly collections for a further two years and was soon joined by his brother Harry. To date, the boys are still doing fortnightly collections.
Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium Vaccination Centre was the only organisation to receive a special recognition award for its contribution to the community. Since it opened in December 2020, the centre has delivered over 500,000 lifesaving jabs.
The event is organised and subsided by Trent & Dove as part of its aim to transform homes, lives and communities. However, it wouldn’t have been possible without support from headline sponsors, Novus Property Solutions, alongside sponsors Savills, Sustainable Building Solutions, PH Jones, Efficiency East Midlands, CCSS Ltd, Hardy Signs, Shakespeare Martineau, Tricas, Anthony Collins, Harvey & Clark, Chocolate Cake Media, Conference Works and The Housing Finance Corporation.
Martyn Hale, Neighbourhoods Director at Trent & Dove, said: “It was a wonderful event. All our winners and nominees are hugely deserving of their awards and recognition. It’s always incredibly compelling and inspirational to hear the stories of people, organisations and local businesses who are doing wonderful things to make our communities better places for everyone. Enabling people and communities to thrive and enjoy life is at the heart of Trent & Dove’s mission, and we host this annual event to recognise and celebrate those working tirelessly and selflessly to help others.
“I thank all of our partners who sponsored the fantastic event. Without their generosity, it would not be possible to reward the sterling work that individuals and community groups do.”
For videos of all the finalists and winners please click here.
-
Impact by a Community-led Project
Impact by a Community-led Project sponsored by Sustainable Building Solutions
Burton HOPE. A local charity for the local community in and around Burton Upon Trent, which is
100% staffed by local unpaid volunteers and 100% funded by donations from the community. The charity focuses on those in society that struggle to get the help they need from anywhere else and makes the public aware of what is happening in their own area. Judges’ comments: “They have a remarkable impact on the community demonstrating incredible examples of real, meaningful help, year after year.”
-
Impact on the Community by an Organisation
Impact on the Community by an Organisation, sponsored by Savills
Your Emotional Support Service (YESS). The charity provides professional and invaluable mental health support across the county helping more than 5,500 individuals since it formed in 2011. YESS provides a range of assistance, from directly supporting someone through a difficult time to signposting to a more suitable organisation or simply offering them a chance to talk.
Judges’ comments: “Mental Health is such an important topic, we all talk about physical health, but our mental health is often overlooked. YESS bring mental health to the forefront, helping the local community to benefit from a quality, safe, secure service, run by a dedicated team.”
Special recognition Award
Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium Vaccination Centre. Opened in December 2020, the Pirelli Stadium vaccination has delivered over 500,000 lifesaving jabs and has been recognised for numerous awards, including the EFL’s Project of the Season for the 2021-22 campaign.
-
Impact on the Environment & Sustainability
Impact on the Environment & Sustainability, sponsored by Efficiency East Midlands
The Globe Foundation. A not-for-profit organisation providing volunteering opportunities. It operates a zero waste shop enabling local people to recycle items free of charge that would otherwise go to landfill and a repair workshop where volunteers give their time and expertise to repair items, again, helping to reduce waste.
Judges’ comments: “This is an incredible example of waste reduction. They’ve worked tirelessly over the years to improve the environment for the local residents.”
Special recognition Award, sponsored by Shakespeare Martineau
Rachel Thompson. Rachel identified a plot of unused land in her hometown of Uttoxeter and with the help of local volunteers transformed this into a community orchard. The orchard has been successful in encouraging the community to meet outdoors, become educated about wildlife and wildflowers, and growing their own produce.
Judges’ comments: “Rachel is dedicated to creating a beautiful space, transforming unused land for the good of the community. She’s not only teaching new skills but also providing opportunities for people to socialise outdoors.”
-
Impact on Young People Award
Impact on Young People Award, sponsored by headline sponsors Novus Property Solutions
Eton & Horninglow Community Scheme CIC. Parish councillor, Sharon Fox set up this scheme to help young people and their families in the local community despite living with chronic daily pain and multiple disabilities.
Judges’ comments: “So lovely to hear about someone who is putting their own struggles aside to establish a community scheme and help others.”
-
Volunteer of the Year
Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Hardy Signs
Jessica Kinnear. Jessica is dedicated to helping local people in need with a wide range of support including via her counselling service, community activities, free wellness breakfasts, wellbeing boxes and yoga sessions.
Judges’ comments: “An outstanding example of the impact an individual can have when they have a personal motivation and determination. The level of personal involvement/commitment and drive really comes across.”
Special recognition award (posthumous)
Carol Eager (20/02/61-08/10/22) This award is dedicated to the memory of Carol. Carol was known to everyone in Winshill. She was a familiar face at the Neighbourhood Resource Centre. She’d dress up as the Easter Bunny, and the Grinch at Christmas, she wanted to ensure the children had lovely memories. She was the first to be there to lend a hand, from creating a community garden to packing food bags and leading community events, all whilst being a full-time carer to her son, Aslan. Judges’ comments: “A life dedicated to serving her community. She was a friend to all and is deeply missed every day.”
-
Impact on the Community by an Individual
Impact on the Community by an Individual sponsored by PH Jones
John Anderson. John works tirelessly to help homeless people in his community spending every weekend actively supporting them on the streets until the early hours. He’s also a volunteer with Burton HOPE, a school governor and gives talks on homelessness and the devastating impacts of addiction in schools and colleges.
Judges’ comments: “He really is “Mr Community!” Amazing achievements and dedication. His work cuts across so many areas and people. There aren’t any more words to describe how much he’s accomplished with the support of the community.”
-
Achievement by a Younger Person (Under 18)
Achievement by a Younger Person (Under 18) sponsored by Tricas
Eric Moorhouse (8). In March 2022 aged just seven, Eric was so moved by the events he saw unfolding in Ukraine that he had to do something to help. He set a target to raise £500 for the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal and started making and selling bookmarks for £1 under the guise of ‘Eric’s Bookmarks for Ukraine’. The family lost count of how many bookmarks Eric made and estimated it was close to a thousand. To date, his fundraising efforts have raised nearly £2,700.
Judges’ comments: “An incredibly and inspiring example by one so young. Please, never lose your enthusiasm to help people. Such dedication and drive from someone so young. Eric has met and touched the hearts of so many people.”
Special recognition award sponsored by CCSS Fire & Security Ltd
George and Harry Preston. The two brothers received special recognition for their efforts and dedication in collecting food parcels locally and donating them to Burton HOPE. George initially started the project as a three-month community initiative to support his Duke of Edinburgh Award in 2020 but carried on doing weekly collections for a further two years and was soon joined by his brother Harry. To date, the boys are still doing fortnightly collections.
Judges’ comments: “It is wonderful to see the positive impact undertaking the DofE Award has on not only a young person but their wider community too. Such incredible dedication over a long period from two young people who set an example to us all.”
