The annual Broadland Community at Heart Awards were presented on 24 October at Royal Norwich Golf Club.
The Awards, organised by Broadland District Council, and sponsored by Clarion Housing, celebrate the extremely valuable work of volunteers, individuals, businesses and community groups in the district.
A judging panel chose the winners from nominations made by members of the public and each winner was presented with a trophy and £250 to donate to their chosen community group or voluntary organisation.
Finalists were also presented with a certificate congratulating and thanking them for their work in the community.
This year’s winners are:
Business in the Community Award – Red Panda Crafts Norfolk
Red Panda Crafts produce homemade gifts and host workshops to promote wellbeing. They also organise and fund the Norfolk Deaf Celebration Day and Crafts Fair. The event hosts entertainment from local deaf groups and deaf role models, and aims to educate the community about deafness and the roles that deaf people play in our community.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Elizabeth Cameron
Elizabeth has been volunteering her time to support residents in Strumpshaw for 50 years, organising and hosting village parties in her garden, as well as hosting children’s parties for many more years. She has also undertaken several voluntary community roles vital to her community, including Parish Council Clerk and Council Chair.
Volunteer of the Year – Claire Whitehouse
Inspired by playing a crucial role in saving the life of her neighbour who was experiencing cardiac arrest, Claire has fundraised and campaigned to have more defibrillators fitted outside community buildings in her local town of Thorpe St. Andrew, as well as supporting over 1000 local people to receive CPR training.
Young Achiever – Adam Farrow
Adam has volunteered as a St. John Ambulance cadet for over five years, giving up hundreds of hours of his spare time. Whilst volunteering on a match day at Norwich City Football Club, he played a vital role in ensuring a fan, who was taken seriously ill received the support they needed.
Community Organisation of the Year – Joe Dix Foundation
The Dix family’s lives changed in January 2022 when their son was fatally stabbed. They founded the Joe Dix Foundation in his memory to raise awareness around the dangers, signs, and consequences of youth violence, as well as gang and knife crime.
Pride in Place Award – Horstead Community Activity Days
The Horstead Centre and local Parish Council in Horstead with Stanninghall run successful community activity days. These events bring the community together and create environmental awareness, increase the understanding of local history and encourage physical activity.
Connecting Communities Award – East Coast Truckers
The East Coast Truckers’ annual Children’s Convoy brings visitors from across the country to witness the 80 plus trucks travel along the route from Norwich to Great Yarmouth. The money raised by this event enables the team of volunteers to organise free day trips and holidays
for disabled and disadvantaged children.
Green at Heart Award – Scrapbox
Scrapbox is a re-use store based in Reepham. The team have kept thousands of tonnes of perfectly reusable waste from landfill and offer it to the local community to be used for arts, crafts and other creative purposes. They have also recently begun offering free workshops for children in the area.
Healthy and Active Award – No Limits Norfolk
No Limits Norfolk host inclusive dance and accessible arts classes across the county. They work tirelessly to ensure they are able to include anyone who wants to attend their range of sessions that include different types of dance classes as well as a BSL singing choir.
