Celebrating the charities which make a difference
More than 250 charity representatives, voluntary workers, community champions, supporters and business leaders have joined forces to recognise the charities which are making a difference at a celebration hosted by Suffolk Community Foundation.
The Foundation’s Annual Review, together with The High Sheriff’s Awards, took place at The Hope Centre in Ipswich yesterday (11 March). The afternoon was compered by BBC Radio Suffolk’s Wayne Bavin and saw keynote speaker Sir Nick Young, former CEO of British Red Cross, talk passionately about the importance of volunteering and the difference it makes.
Guests were treated to performances by Kenzie Perry from innov8 Workshops and Unscene Suffolk, a community theatre and music project for visually impaired adults, before High Sheriff of Suffolk, Gulshan Kayembe DL presented awards to:
- Future Female Society, which runs creative projects, workshops and programmes to raise the aspirations and confidence of girls and women in Suffolk.
- Waveney Surf Lifesaving Centre, which provides life-saving training for people of all ages in Lowestoft.
- P.H.O.E.B.E, an Ipswich charity offering specialist advice, information, casework, advocacy and support and counselling to black and ethnic minority women and children.
- Forge Community Church in Debenham, for its Moses Project, which supports new families in need by gifting them baskets full of baby products, handknitted clothes, toiletries and wipes.
Short films showcasing the work of each of the charities were also shown to help the audience understand more about their work, before Suffolk Community Foundation reflected on its achievements over the past year and the challenges faced by the voluntary sector.
George Vestey DL, Chair of the Foundation, said: “It has once again been a challenging 12 months for many of Suffolk’s fantastic charities, with the current economic climate continuing to bring added pressures amid high levels of demand. Against this backdrop, the vital work carried out by Suffolk Community Foundation and our partners has become ever more important.
“During the past year, we are proud to have awarded £3.8million to 362 charities and community groups to help them tackle inequality, loneliness, poverty, poor health, disability and lack of opportunity. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who has made this possible, including our donors, trustees, ambassadors, volunteers, staff and partners
“It was great to see so many of those supporters at our Annual Review event and shine a spotlight on some of the county’s charities, celebrate their positive work and reflect on the real and lasting difference it is making to people’s lives.”
Hannah Bloom, Chief Executive of Suffolk Community Foundation, said: “I am immensely proud of everything our team has achieved over the past 12 months, and grateful to our supporters who have generously donated to help voluntary organisations improve people’s lives across the county.
“We are now asking others to follow their lead to focus efforts on local support. Charities keep people healthy, safe and engaged in learning, volunteering and employment which reduces pressure on other services. We can make Suffolk a better place to live for everyone by giving or doing what we can to help others, because it is needed now more than ever.”
The Annual Review’s main sponsor was CCLA. With Larking Gowen, Suffolk Building Society, Barratt and Cooke sponsoring the High Sheriff’s awards.
To view the films, please click on the links below:
Future Female Society, Waveney Surf Lifesaving Club, P.H.O.E.B.E, The Moses Project
Photo credit: Foyers.Photography