Dudley CVS AGM and Community Action Awards 2025 – Nurturing Hopes, Dreams and Aspirations

It was wonderful to see so many of you join us for the Dudley CVS AGM and Community Action Awards at Brierley Hill Civic, a special evening celebrating not only incredible community action across Dudley borough, but also the power of hope, dreams, and aspirations, the things that inspire, drive, and connect us as a community.

At Dudley CVS, we believe that nurturing people’s hopes and ideas creates lasting positive change. The Awards perfectly reflected that spirit, celebrating the volunteers, groups, and organisations who bring those hopes and ideas to life every day.

Throughout the evening, we heard uplifting stories from inspirational volunteers and community groups making a real difference. We also reflected on our work as a local infrastructure organisation, supporting the vibrant voluntary and community sector and helping individuals turn their aspirations into reality. You can explore more stories of from our work in our Annual Report 2024–25.

Soon we’ll share full highlights from the evening, including photos and videos, but for now, here’s a look at our wonderful winners and nominees who inspired us all.

Cultural Connections Award

The Cultural Connections award honours organisations, community groups and individuals who are having a cultural impact across the Dudley Borough, shining a spotlight on the connections being created over preserving, protecting and celebrating culture, heritage and art.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Creart Collective CIC

“For your outstanding impact in protecting and celebrating the diverse cultures in our communities.”

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Claire Tedstone

“For your outstanding contribution to culture in Dudley borough”

Congratulations to nominees in this category: DIYYA, Apni Zaroorat Community Network, Black Country Multicultural Day, Friends of Lye Library

Sporting Inspiration

The Sporting Inspiration award celebrates organisations and groups who have impacted and inspired the local community through physical activity, teamwork and sport, proving that physical activity can have a transformational impact on health, happiness and wellbeing.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Team Pumpkin Boxing Club CIC

“For your outstanding work demonstrating the transformational impact sport, teamwork and physical activity can have on health, happiness and wellbeing.”

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Libra Netball Club, Green Committee at Swindon Bowling Club, Cradley Town DC CIC

Community Champion Award

The Community Champion award celebrates the groups and volunteers that care for their local communities in a variety of ways, whether by looking after neighbourhoods and spaces that mean a lot to local people, or by keeping people connected. They play an enormous part in the vibrancy, diversity and life of our borough.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: West Midlands Police Dudley LPA Special Constabulary

“For your outstanding contribution to keeping our communities safe.”

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Candice Starkey

“In recognition of the enormous impact you have and your outstanding contribution to the mission of Midlands Air Ambulance.”

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Jasmine Road Community Gardens, Hawbush Community Gardens, Crafting for Communities, Dudley Lions Club, Woodsetton Litterpickers and Community Group, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Shop Volunteers, Riff Devin, Sandra Jones, Rose Blackham, Riyaz Mughal

Beacon of Hope

The Beacon of Hope award recognises the life changing work that is carried out by organisations and groups to support our communities and highlights the projects that offer people and communities hope for the future in challenging circumstances.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Alternat+ves

“In honour of your unstinting dedication to bringing hope to so many families around the world.”

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Goff Rowe

“For your selfless dedication to bringing hope to so many in your community, building friendships and making sure no-one gets left behind.”

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Black Country Foodbank, New Path of Life CIC, Black Country Mental Health, Provision House, Forward Carers CIC, Top Church Training, Alan Bedford, Shirley Stockdale, Jenny Styler

Stronger Families

The stronger families award recognises the vital work carried out by individuals and organisations making a significant difference within their communities by providing support, help and care to nurture families and increase their resilience.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Real Mama Tribe

“In celebration of your dedication to families across Dudley borough and for making sure they get the right support, help and care.”

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Brianna Dymond

“In honour of your selfless dedication to so many families in Dudley borough and for making sure they get the right support, help and care.”

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Brierley Hill Babybank, The Friends of Alfie Johnson • Unheard Voices, Catherine Beaman, Hayley James

Caring for Communities

The Caring for Communities award recognises the amazing work going on across the Dudley Borough to support the physical and mental wellbeing of local communities. It shines a spotlight on activities and services that ensure individuals are supported through many different health challenges and stages of their life.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Disability in Action

“With gratitude for your tireless dedication to supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of communities.”

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Myles Scaife

“In celebration of your selfless dedication to supporting visitors and patients at Russells Hall Hospital, ensuring they are supported through their health challenges.”

Congratulations to nominees in this category: The Arts of Change Trust, Dudley CIL, DiscoverU, Fereday’s First Response, Headway Black Country, Action Heart, Holly Connor, Dawn Watters, Kevin Rutterford, Shamish Suleman, Rosemary Pitts

Heritage Ambassador

This award recognises the enormous contribution that organisations, community groups and volunteers make towards the unique history and heritage of Dudley, promoting our local traditions, buildings and histories for generations to come.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Stourbridge Glass Museum

“For making an outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion of Dudley borough’s history, heritage and traditions.”

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Karen Moore

“For your selfless dedication to preserving and celebrating the history of Dudley’s communities for generations to come.”

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Riverside Stourbridge CIC, Halesowen Abbey Trust

Environmental Guardian

The environmental guardian award highlights organisations, community groups and individuals who have stepped up to champion the environment. They provide local communities with creative activities, knowledge and essential support that promotes environmental protection and sustainability.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Ekho Collective CIC

“With gratitude for being a champion for our world and everything in it for generations to come.”

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Colin Mells

“In honour of your tremendous dedication to protecting our environment.”

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Friends of Wordsley Parks, Friends of Wollescote Park, Bumble Hole Conservation Group, The Coseley Pickers, Wild Earth Movement, Cradley Library Community Gardeners, Friends of Abbey Street Park, Friends of George VI Park, Kingswinford, Bringing the Stour to Life, Sandy Haddock, Christine Bate

Young Futures

The Young Futures award recognises organisations, community groups and individuals who are making a significant difference in the lives of young people across the Dudley Borough. It shines a light on the approaches, activities and support that address the unique needs of young people in our communities.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Strike Youth CIC

“In honour of your life-changing contribution to the lives of young people across Dudley borough.”

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Pheobe Carr

“In recognition of your selfless contribution and for being an inspiration for other young people in Dudley borough.”

Congratulations to nominees in this category: 1st Wall Heath Scouts, Jane Morgan, Jane Craddock

Abrahams-Lindsay Award for Long Service

The Abraham-Lindsey Award for Long Service celebrates organisations, community groups and individuals for their substantial contribution to local communities across a significant period, celebrating their long-term commitment to improve the lives of people across the Dudley borough. This award is in memory of Dudley CVS’s two previous long-serving chairmen – Gordon Lindsay and Mike Abrahams, who gave decades not only to Dudley CVS but to many organisations across Dudley borough.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Dudley Stroke Association

“In recognition of your substantial contribution to Dudley borough’s communities over many decades.”

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Cicely Thomas

“In honour of your decades of selfless and unstinting dedication to your community.”

Purrrrfect Community Spirit Award

“Seen as creating a great sense of well-being and community for local people. He goes above and beyond, and is described as improving the quality of life for those who use the train station in Stourbridge…“

WINNER: George the Stourbridge Junction Station Cat – for your purrrfect community spirit!

In Memoriam – Ann Reynolds

Among our nominees this year is sadly someone who is no longer with us, but their dedication and kindness continue to shine bright.

“Ann was nominated for her time volunteering at Discover U, which Ann continued to do up until she sadly passed away earlier this year.

Ann played a valuable role at Discover U and made a significant and lasting impact on the lives of those she supported. She consistently showed up with kindness, patience and a genuine desire to help, as well as bringing lots of laughter and smiles too.”

Thank you to our sponsors

Thank you to all our wonderful sponsors for supporting the Dudley CVS Community Action Awards and helping us celebrate the people and organisations striving to make a difference across Dudley borough.