Dudley CVS AGM and Community Action Awards 2026

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.

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 from our work in our annual review here.

We’ll be sharing photos soon, but for now, here’s a look at our wonderful winners and nominees who inspired us all. 

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Cultural Connections Award 

The cultural connections award pays tribute to the groups and volunteers who make a cultural impact across the borough, honouring the connections being created over preserving, protecting and celebrating culture and art.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: General Office Gallery

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Antonia Barnsley

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Halesowen and Dudley Yemeni Community Association,  Creart Collective CIC, Friends of Gornal Library, Vanessa Smith

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Community Champion Award

This award celebrates the groups and volunteers that care for their local communities in a variety of ways, whether by caring for 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: Jasmine Road Community Gardens

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Mick Morgan

Congratulations to nominees in this category: The Stourbridge Jigsaw Library, Random Act of Kindness CIC, Crafts at Home (Springs Church), Talkin’ Tables, Brierley Hill Community Enterprise Guild, The Fine Collective CIC, Apni Zaroorat Community Network, Mary Stevens Hospice volunteer team, Ken Parsons, Gail Lee, Jean Bailey, Brenda Dixon, Goff Rowe, Christine Bate.

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Beacon of Hope 

This award recognises the life changing work that is carried out by organisations and volunteers to support their community, and shines a spotlight on the projects which turn lives around and give people and communities hope for the future.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Dudley Crossroads 

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Lynn Winstanley

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Brierley Hill Babybank, Age Concern Stourbridge & Halesowen, Black Country Foodbank, New Path of Life CIC, House of Comfort CIC, Top Church Training, Michael Guest, Dawn Copson

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Stronger Families 

This award recognises the vital work carried out by organisations and volunteers making a significant difference within their communities by providing support, help and care to strengthen families across the Dudley Borough.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Dynamik Advocacy CIC

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Mary Morgan  

Congratulations to nominees in this category:

Real Mama Tribe, Sensory People, J & D’s Inclusive Adventures, Unheard Voices, New Baby Network CIC, Louise Bennett, Catherine Beaman, Katie Newell, Brianna Dymond

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Active Inspiration

The Active Inspiration Award celebrates the organisations and people who have inspired the local community through physical activity, team work and sport. They show how physical activity can have a transformational impact on health, happiness and wellbeing.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Ramblers Wellbeing Walks volunteers

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Stephen Austin  

Congratulations to nominees in this category:

Park Active volunteers, Rebekah Hurley

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Caring Communities 

The Caring Communities Award celebrates the amazing work to support the physical and mental wellbeing of local communities, the activities and services that ensure individuals are supported through many different health challenges and stages of their life.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Crafting for Communities

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Leanne Dublin 

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Access in Dudley, Happy Hours Club, Stepping Out, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Dudley Stroke Association, Fereday’s First Response, St John Ambulance Dudley and Sandwell, Me Myself and I, Integrated Plus Buddy Volunteer Team, Hannah Foulkes, Judith Morris, Cicely Thomas, Healthwatch Dudley Volunteers, Trish Bradley

 

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Heritage Ambassador 

The Heritage Ambassador Award recognises the massive contribution of groups and volunteers to the unique history and heritage of Dudley, preserving and celebrating the traditions, buildings and histories for generations to come.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Halesowen Abbey Trust

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: PAUL FLOYD

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Stourbridge Glass Museum, Friends of Sedgley Beacon, Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust, Stourbridge Lion 2029

 

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Environmental Guardian 

The environmental guardian award celebrates the good causes and individuals who’ve stepped up to champion the environment. They provide ways for communities to access nature, share knowledge and support that promotes environmental protection and sustainability and make our spaces more welcoming.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Friends of Abbey Street Park

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Julia Marks

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Friends of Wollescote Park, Woodsetton Litter Pickers and Community team, Wild Earth Movement, GORNAL, Ami Woodlands, Charlotte (Charly) Nickless

 

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Young Futures 

The Young Futures Award recognises the organisations and young people who are making a significant difference in the lives of young people across the borough, celebrating the positive and youth-led activities that help young people to flourish.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: PHASE TRUST

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: William Weston

Congratulations to nominees in this category:  Students at Glasshouse College

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Business Supporting the Community

The Business Supporting the Community Award recognises the businesses and people in them who make life easier for communities and not-for-profit organsiations through their generosity, willingness to share and their supportiveness.

AWARD WINNER: Iverley View Care Home

AWARD WINNER: Rebecca Cottingham

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Animal Advocates Award

The animal advocates award honors the vital work going on to advocate for animals and their humans, recognising the services and support provided across local communities to protect, cherish and care for all animals.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Stour Valley Cat Rescue

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: RYAN PRICE

Congratulations to nominees in this category: Ravens Rescue

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Abrahams-Lindsay Award for Long Service 

The Abraham-Lindsey Award for Long Service celebrates organisations and individuals for their substantial contribution to local communities across a significant period of time. The Abrahams-Lindsay Award is named in memory of Dudley CVS’s two previous long standing chairmen – Gordon Lindsay and Mike Abrahams.

GROUP AWARD WINNER: Black Country Foodbank

VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER: Judith Morris CSTJ BEM

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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. 

• The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
• Neill Bucktin
• Amblecote Christian Centre
• West Midlands Police
• Black Country Radio

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A special thank you 

Dudley CVS would like to give special thanks to the following: 

• Dudley CVS Trustees for their continued dedication and support
• Our staff for their hard work, passion and commitment
• Discover U who have made our fabulous trophies
• Lunch on the Run for the cakes and the shortbread
• Dudley Peoples Archive for the loan of archive materials helping to celebrate Dudley’s history and heritage.
• Billy Spakemon for bringing the history of the Black Country to life through words.
• Stitchers in Time – Dudley for lending their artwork to help celebrate Dudley’s people, places and stories.