North Northumberland Voluntary and Community Awards 2026
The North Northumberland Voluntary and Community Awards 2026 was held on Wednesday 23 September 2026 at Berwick Rugby Club
This year the North Northumberland Voluntary Forum were delighted to work in partnership with Community Foundation North East, who supported this year award evening. 53 individuals and community groups were nominations in total across the six award categories - which goes to show how healthy volunteering is in North Northumberland.
The Grassroots Award is presented to those groups who have volunteers only with no paid staff; they must operate within North Northumberland (former Berwick Borough) and have been established for at least 12 months. Examples include scouts, junior football clubs, luncheon clubs etc. We want to celebrate the smaller groups who turn up week in week out to coach, support and enable others, and operate within a limited budget.
This year there were 12 nominations in this category and two community groups were shortlisted for this award
The 2026 Runner-up for the Grassroots Award was awarded to The Berwick Sight Loss Support Group.
The 2026 Grassroots Awards was presented to Berwick Darts Academy by Jan Casson, Vice-Chair of the North Northumberland Voluntary Forum
Berwick Darts Academy is a volunteer-led group supporting around 30 young people aged 9–17 from Berwick and surrounding areas. Launched in January 2025, it grew from a successful trial inspired by rising interest in darts. Meeting fortnightly at Northern View, the inclusive academy offers training, competitions, events, friendship and opportunities to meet world-class players. Volunteers work with kindness, humour and dedication, helping young people develop confidence, maths skills, focus, self-discipline and teamwork. The academy has built strong links with schools, community groups and darts organisations across the country. Supported by Northern View and RISE North East, it continues to thrive and inspire.
Project/Organisation of the Year
The project or organisation will need to have been established for at least 12 months; it must operate within North Northumberland (former Berwick Borough) and can have either have both paid and unpaid staff and volunteers. This year there were 12 nominations for this category.
The 2026 Runner-up for this award was The Liam Muckle Memorial Shield.
The 2026 Organisation of the Year was presented to Tweed Connections –Community Interest Company.
Tweed Connections CIC is a day care centre supporting older and infirm people across Berwick and North Northumberland. Opened over a year ago, it provides health and wellbeing programmes, recreational activities, assisted bathing, meals, refreshments and transport, while offering vital respite for unpaid carers. Growing from six clients one day a week, it now provides up to 50 places across four days, alongside an enabling service for those needing support at home. Its activities promote physical, cognitive and social wellbeing, independence and enjoyment. Supported by dedicated staff and volunteers, Tweed Connections has transformed lives, with families praising its compassionate care, support and the happiness it brings.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Awarded to an unpaid individual who has made a major contribution to the local voluntary sector in North Northumberland (former Berwick Borough) within the last 2 years, this is demonstrated by the level of commitment and the impact their volunteering has made within the sector. Out of 17 nominations Carol Griffiths and Rowena Redgewell were both shortlisted for this award.
The 2026 Runner-up for this award was Rowena Redgewell.
This year’s Volunteer of the Year was presented to Carol Griffiths by Lord Joicey, President of the North Northumberland Voluntary Forum
Carol Griffiths has volunteered with Citizens Advice Northumberland since February 2014, completing over 2,888 hours and supporting more than 1,432 clients. As a trusted adviser, mentor and advocate, Carol provides compassionate, patient and expert support, particularly with complex benefit applications including PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance. Her meticulous approach has helped individuals and families secure hundreds of thousands of pounds in vital financial support. Carol adapted seamlessly during COVID-19, embracing new technology and ways of working to ensure vulnerable clients continued receiving advice. Humble, reliable and kind, she is a valued colleague and an outstanding example of dedicated, selfless volunteering.
Commercial Business Support Award
Our next award is the annual Commercial Business Support Award and is awarded to the commercial business which has demonstrated outstanding support to the voluntary sector both financial and/or practically. The business must operate in North Northumberland. This years shortlisted finalists are Lowick Village Store and The Simpson McCreath Trust.
2026 Commercial Business Support Award was presented to Lowick Village Store by Melanie Deans, Directors of The North Northumberland Voluntary Forum with The Simpson McCreath Trust awarded Runner-up.
Lowick Village Store is far more than a shop and post office as it is the heart of the village and a vital community hub. Run by Lindsey and her daughter, this family business consistently goes above and beyond to support local residents. During storms and disruption, they keep villagers informed, reassured and connected, while their WhatsApp service helps those unable to travel. They organise community activities, including summer rounder’s, and provide a friendly face and listening ear. Recently recognised as Countryside Alliance Best Village Shop and Post Office regionally for consecutive years, their dedication is especially important to elderly and isolated residents. Lowick is incredibly fortunate to have them.
Young Person or Youth Group Volunteers of the Year Award
To celebrate intergenerational work the Young Person or Youth Group Volunteers of the Year Award is presented to an unpaid individual or youth group who has made the greatest contribution to the local voluntary sector in North Northumberland within the last 12 months. The youth person volunteer or youth group needs to be 18 years of age or under and be able to demonstrate commitment and the impact their volunteering has made within the sector. Examples include regularly helping with sports coaching/training, helping with various after school clubs (cubs, scouts, brownies and guides), community/environmental campaigning or various fundraising activities within the local community.
Lucy-Ann Taylor and Grace Wilce were short listed for this award.
Lucy Ann Taylor was awarded Runner-up and the Youth Volunteer of the Year 2026 was presented to Grace Wilce by the High Sheriff of Northumberland – Dr Anna Charlton.
Grace Wilce, 18, is an inspiring ambassador for autism and neurodiversity. A member of the North Northumberland National Autistic Society since 2016, she has transformed her lived experience into positive action for her community. Grace has delivered six talks on autism, ADHD, sensory needs and education, helping families better understand and support autistic young people. She has also helped facilitate seven days of autism training, encouraging children to speak openly and confidently. Grace represents young autistic people at local authority meetings, supports craft groups and helps Duke of Edinburgh participants. Her honesty, knowledge and enthusiasm have strengthened understanding, inclusion and confidence across North Northumberland.
Lady Rose Crossman Life Time Achievement Award.
This award is dedicated to Lady Rose Crossman who sadly passed away in August 2017. Lady Rose was our first President and she supported numerous local and national charities.
The Lady Rose Crossman Life Time Achievement Award will be given to an unpaid individual who for the last 10 years or more has made a major contribution to the voluntary sector and is a true inspiration to others.
Nominees must display an outstanding contribution to charitable causes, going significantly beyond the normal expected involvement. Take into any personal information supplied for example ill heath but continued to volunteer and help others. This award recognises someone who has dedicated their time and made exceptional effort to advance the profile of the voluntary and community sector in Berwick-upon-Tweed and North Northumberland. Brenda Frier and Richard Patterson have been short listed for this award.
The Lord-Leiutenant –Dr Caroline Pryer and Margaret Shaw the recipient of this award last year presented the Runner-up to Brenda Frier.
Richard Patterson was awarded the 2026 Lady Rose Crossman Life Time Achievement Award and congratulated by The Lord-Lieutenant and Margaret Shaw.
Richard “Dick” Patterson has dedicated almost 30 years to strengthening and protecting the community of Holy Island, including more than 25 years as Chair of the Community Development Trust. His leadership has delivered lasting change, from 11 affordable homes helping local families remain on the island, to support for the harbour, fishing community and vital year-round employment. He has helped preserve and improve treasured community and heritage assets including the Heritage Centre, Gospel Garden, Lifeboat House, Reading Rooms and Lookout Tower. Combining strategic vision with hands-on commitment, Dick continues to champion residents’ interests and Holy Island’s future. His quiet determination has created a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Closing speeches from The Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland following by Lord Joicey.
The award presentation was followed by a buffet and an opportunity to celebrate the amazing achievement made by the volunteers and community groups who had been short-listed out of 53 nominations this year.
Jan Casson, Vice-Chair of the NNVF said “Our annual awards evening celebrates the dedication and commitment of the voluntary groups and individuals who make such a huge difference to our communities and to those who need support most. This year’s awards evening was inspirational, humbling and deeply moving at times, reminding us all of the compassion, generosity and quiet determination at the heart of our communities. The Community Foundation North East understands just how vital this voluntary contribution is to community wellbeing, and we are delighted to have celebrated with them again this year.”
The Community Foundation North East an organisation that connects generous people with important community causes across North East England. Through its grant-making, the Foundation helps hundreds of local charities and voluntary organisations each year, building stronger communities and tackling issues from social isolation to youth development.
In recognising the important and vital work carried out by volunteer and community organisations in North Northumberland Ross Wilson, Senior Philanthropy Advisor from Community Foundation North East said: “For Community Foundation North East, it makes perfect sense to sponsor the North Northumberland Voluntary Awards. Grassroots organisations continue to make up the bulk of our grant-making, and it is they that often rely the most on the work of volunteers. Without the tireless efforts and sacrifice of these individuals, the sector wouldn’t be anywhere near as strong, and it is important that we celebrate the role that they play.”
@North Northumberland Voluntary Forum
Community Foundation North East Helping Charities in the North East | Community Foundation
Sept. 26