Selfless acts of Torfaen recognised at Community and Volunteer Awards

In front of over 200 guests, the Torfaen Community and Volunteer Awards, in partnership with Torfaen Voluntary Alliance, Coleg Gwent, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Bron Afon Community Housing and Melin Homes took place on Friday, 21 October 2022 at the Parkway Hotel & Spa.

The awards recognised those who regularly do good across the voluntary sector, business, and the local community, and this year’s event was full of incredible and heart-warming stories.

Hosted by Smooth Radio’s Jason Harrold, guests including the Lord Lieutenant also enjoyed a performance by 15-year-old harpist Anieri Richards, dance students from the Performing Arts of Coleg Gwent and singer Ffion Bassett. Students from Coleg Gwent also gave up their time to support with photography, videography, social media takeovers and developing the night’s programme.

Earlier this year, nominations were invited to allow local people to nominate in the twelve categories. This then went to an impartial seven-person panel made up of people from different organisations across Torfaen who then would’ve scored each nomination on its merit.

The full list of winners were: 

1. Arts, Culture & Heritage sponsored by Blaenavon Forgings Ltd is Evan Smith Blaenavon Town Band
2. Health Volunteer sponsored by Carlisle Brakes is Akin Agbaje & Mr Patrick Smith
3. Sports Volunteer/Group sponsored by Uddr – The local app is Steve Malson & Jamie Leonard
4. Young Volunteer sponsored by Pro Steel Engineering Limited is Morgan Fish
5. Business of the Year sponsored by Coleg Gwent is High Street Fitness
6. Community Leader sponsored by Mental Health First Aid Wales is Leanne Morgan
7. Children & Youth Group sponsored by Bron Afon Community Housing is Girl Guiding – Eastern Valley Division
8. Adult Volunteer sponsored by Gwent Police & Crime Commissioner is Vicki Randall
9. Civic Award sponsored by High Street Fitness is Stuart Evans
10. Trustee of the Year sponsored by Pontypool Community Council is Tracey Blockwell
11. Environmental Award sponsored by Melin Homes is Cwmbran South Allotment Association
12. Heart of the Community sponsored by Torfaen Voluntary Alliance is Steve Malson & Craig Lear

Aimi Morris, Operational Executive Officer at TVA, said, “The awards successfully recognised and celebrated the amazing contribution volunteers continue to provide our local communities on a daily basis.

“It was brilliant to see so many new and familiar faces at the glitzy event itself and we look forward to returning for the 2023 awards. If you know of someone who deserves to be acknowledged on stage like this year’s winners, please keep them in mind for when nominations open in June 2023.

“A big thank you all our sponsors and staff as well as Coleg Gwent students Charlotte Pitt & Alfie Burton who developed tonight’s programme, Claire McCarthy and Cheyenne Lewis who showcased their extraordinary skills in Photography & Videography, and finally Evan Sellick, Millie Mulligan and Lily Bigham for assisting with the social media content. We couldn’t have done it without all the support we kindly received.”