There are some truly amazing people within your communities, and we wanted to make sure that everyone is recognised for their achievements and contributions to making where you live a better, brighter place.
This year, you nominated in your hundreds to recognise the inspirational people and groups who are making a positive contribution to your neighbourhood.
Here’s a closer look at the heart-warming stories behind the winners and the differences they have made in your neighbourhoods!
This award celebrates an outstanding community project that has made a significant and lasting impact. This award recognises the initiative, collaboration, and dedication that went into creating a project that enhances and strengthens communities. Here are your winners:
CommUNITY Little Hulton
Community Little Hulton from Salford have delivered the community vision of a new Community Hub and much needed transformation of the Peel Park. Together, as a team, they have made Peel Park one of the best Parks in Salford for local residents. The park has transformed to a valuable community asset for all the residents of Little Hulton and the wider community. The team of volunteers, led by Alison Jones, have given up thousands of hours to support the vision.
Spark Oldham Young Leaders
The Young Leaders programme was developed by SPARK Oldham earlier this year. Thirty young people aged 16+ were recruited and received training to become young leaders for the school holiday activities over the summer. This group of young people were amazing over the four-week delivery of the project, really getting stuck in and acting as mentors to the younger people attending the sessions. They showed maturity, passion and commitment throughout the project and a great representation of their peers.
SV Galaxy Football Club
SV Galaxy Football Club based in Stockbridge Village is led by passionate voluntary members of the community. The club is made up of football coaches, safe–guarding champions, Health and Safety officials, social media managers, and dedicated parents to support the physical and mental wellbeing of children within the community. Young people who attend the session are proud to be part of the team. They have all found a place where they can be themselves, support each other and, regardless of ability, their contributions to the team are valued. The Club helps to form positive bonds, supports work ethic and sportsmanship.
This award celebrates an outstanding individual who has made contributions through their dedication, enthusiasm and hard work. This award recognises their achievements, positive impact and commitment to making a difference to their community. Here are your winners:
Matthew Heywood
Matthew volunteers his time supporting young people at BAYSE, which is his local youth club in Salford. When he first joined the club, Matthew was shy and lacked confidence. However, through the team’s encouragement, he found his voice and became involved in various activities. Matthew understands the importance of creating a supportive environment, and he creates that for others, making sure they feel valued and accepted. He serves as a role model, showing that with the right guidance, anyone can overcome their obstacles.
Ellie Smith
Ellie always puts her all into everything when she is helping to deliver sessions to young people in Fitton Hill. She is always stepping out of her comfort zone to try new things, has a passion for her work, and is always planning ahead. She is always willing to do any job she is set and will always do it to an amazing standard.
Jasmine McDonald
Jasmine started attending Play Streets sessions in Stockbridge Village when she was 5 years old and she is now 9 years old. From her very first session, she was always helping and staying behind to help clean up. Her eagerness to help others has carried on, with her assisting where she could at the sessions that took place this Summer.
This award celebrates a remarkable team that positively impact communities through their dedication. This award acknowledges their collaborative efforts, commitment and influence on improving and making a difference to their community. Here is your winner:
Stockbridge Ramblers
Stockbridge Village Ramblers are the oldest club in Stockbridge Village, and they have been around since 1984. They provide fortnightly walks for the adults in the community, helping to improve physical and mental health. They welcome all adults, helping to combat loneliness and isolation, taking people places they might not be able to go to such as Wales and the Peak District.
This award celebrates individuals who make a meaningful difference through dedicating their time to helping and supporting others within communities. Volunteers are supportive, helpful, and play a crucial role in making a difference to their community. Here are your winners:
Janine Conway
Janine has run the junior youth club in Fitton Hill for 23 years, which helps all the children on the estate to socialise. Janine also organises trips for the children to go on. There are a lot of children with additional needs that go to the youth club and Janine supports them to make them feel comfortable. Janine has given up her Friday evening for the past 23 years; she is an inspiration and is the essence of what a community member is meant to be.
Carol Gilligan
Carol is involved in multiple groups across Stockbridge Village making a positive difference to the community. She has been a leader for over 15 years for the Littlewood of Stockbridge Junior Rangers, attending every meeting, bringing ideas, providing time, and leading sessions for children in our local community. Each week, Carol works with a forest school in Littlewood, where she gives her time to support sessions for young children and their families. As a member of the Littlewoods of Stockbridge Association maintenance team, Carol maintains our woodland, spending hours upon hours keeping the space safe, clean, and beautiful for our community. As treasurer of the ramblers, Carol organises trips, sources funding, and supports other members. Carol is an unsung hero within Stockbridge Village, who dedicates her time to making the community better.
Francesca Ganz
Francesca is a key member of CommUNITY Little Hulton and she is friendly, welcoming and has a smiley face for all members to be greeted with. She is key to the running of many of their core activities; the setting up, delivery, and clearing up of the food club, organising/displaying the produce, and welcoming and advising members with food choices. She is always willing to help with the regular running of the organisation. She is generous in contributing her time, enthusiasm and kindness to the community.
Ian Carberry
Ian’s contributions to the Weaste and Seedley Social Club and the wider Salford community don’t go unnoticed. His dedication to fundraising for the club, consistently organising events, allows the club to stay open for local residents to visit and enjoy. Beyond the club, he actively promotes blood drives, understanding the importance of this life-saving service. He is also leading an upcoming project to plant over 100 trees in Salford, showcasing his commitment to environmental stewardship and community beautification.
Joe Hunt
Joe and his team of volunteers have recently set up a self-managed allotment site in Walkden. Joe and has developed and managed 37 allotment plots and has raised £70,000 of external funding from various grant bodies to develop the site. Joe goes that extra mile, not only managing the site daily, but also spending his own time writing funding bids and approaching local businesses for support.
John Lightfoot
John first joined Barton Gym when he was 7 years old and is now in his 70′s. He puts the young people and the members of the gym, who are local tenants, at the heart of everything he does. He gives up free time to manage the club and nurture the young athletes, often giving up weekends and evenings to ensure the club members have all they need and to make sure the club runs smoothly,
This award recognises an outstanding customer who goes above and beyond in fostering a sense of community. This customer demonstrates a positive influence, dedication and willingness to contribute to a strong sense of community. Here are you winners:
Janette Ball
Janette is an involved tenant that dedicates so much of her time to make sure tenants voices are heard and that a difference is made. Not only is she an active member of the complaints panel, but she is also the head chair of Scrutiny and the Community Voice in Salford.
Lawrence MacIntosh
Lawrence is always supportive of others in the community. He is an important member of the Community Voice, dedicated to making his local community thrive, and is full of supportive ideas with ways that this can be done.
Well done to all of the winners and thank you for all of your hard work this past year! Let’s continue to shout out and praise those who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a huge and positive difference to others. You really do make our communities a great place to live and the impact that you make does not go unnoticed.
We look forward to welcoming our winners of the 2024 Be Proud Awards at the Involved Christmas party towards the end of the year!
Latest News
03/12/2024
