Sevenoaks Volunteers Awarded

The Making It Happen Community and Voluntary Awards have taken place in Sevenoaks.

Volunteers and community heroes been honoured at Sevenoaks District Council’s ‘Making it Happen’ Community and Voluntary awards.

Celebrity guests Dr Hilary Jones from Good Morning Britain and Lullingstone Castle’s Tom Hart-Dyke, were amongst the presenters at the ceremony held at St Nicholas’ Church, Sevenoaks.

The awards celebrate the amazing volunteers and community groups across the District who give up their time to help others.

There were twelve categories up for grabs, including Community Safety Group, Contribution to the Environment, Local Hero and the Healthy and Wellbeing Award.

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement award went to Jan Berry for her 20 years in the voluntary sector, helping to protect victims of domestic abuse, stalking and harassment.

Cllr Kevin Maskell, the Council’s Leader and compere for the evening, says: “We had a fantastic ceremony full of inspirational people who help our most vulnerable residents. It was wonderful to be surrounded by such selfless and caring people from across our community.

“With over 100 nominations, judging as always was very tough, as all who were nominated deserved an award.

“I’d like to thank Dr Hilary, Tom Hart-Dyke and all the other presenters and those who attended for making it such a special evening.”

For more information on the awards, visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/voluntaryawards.

This year’s winners:

• Charity Project of the Year - DAVSS (Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service)
• Community Arts Group of the Year - Sevenoaks Literary Festival
• Community Sports Group of the Year - Chipstead Sailing Club
• Youth Group/Project of the Year - The HOUSE project Edenbridge
• Local Hero under 18 - Emily Lingham and Amy Frazier
• Local Hero 18 and over - Simon Bull
• Volunteer Group of the Year - Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Community
• Older Persons’ Group/Project of the Year - Forget-me-not cafes - Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Community
• Community Safety Award - Protection Against Stalking Volunteers
• Contribution to the Environment – The Woodlands Group
• Health and Wellbeing Project of the Year - D'Vine Singers
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Jan Berry

Pictured are the team from the Forget Me Not Cafes with Dr Hilary Jones