Gateshead Award Nominees 2025
Find out more about the nominees in each category for the Gateshead Awards 2025.
Music Group/Musician of the Year
Voluntary/Charitable Organisation of the Year
Business in the Community Award - sponsored by Metrocentre
Age UK, Gen Exercise - run an inspirational range of activities and groups, to inspire fitness and community spirit for a variety of ages and abilities. Indoor Walking, Fitsteps and Chair Fitsteps are just a few on offer - and usually include tea, cake and a chat as part of the routine. Claire Hall heads a fabulous team of instructors and despite having battled her way through serious illness over the last year, never gave up on driving forward this project.
Tina Rose Hair Studio - has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the community through countless acts of kindness and generosity. One of their most remarkable contributions has been offering free haircuts and styling services to children, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds or facing challenging circumstances. This not only brings joy and confidence to these young ones but alleviates a financial burden for many families. They have also supported local events and mentored aspiring hairdressers making them a true community champion.
Aroha Healing - Nicola works with a diverse group of people of all ages and creates a safe space making everyone feel welcome, relaxed and comfortable. She offers a vital service that helps wellbeing and mental health. Helping those who attend her meditation and therapy sessions to overcome their fears of not being able to meet and make friends, bringing people together to make a positive change in their lives.
Carer of the Year
Michelle Anderson - is a carer for her two autistic daughters one of whom also has complex epilepsy and autism. Despite suffering with ill health herself including recently recovering from stomach cancer and also having a brain tumour, Michelle always tries her best even when she's having a bad day herself. Having lost her own mother to cancer seven years ago Michelle also takes the time each day to check on her mum's lifelong friend who suffers with dementia.
Music Group/Musician of the Year - sponsored by Northgate Vehicle Hire
Caedmon Choir - have had a busy year, performing, supporting charity events, staging workshops and raising money for charities, raising around £1,000 for the Comfrey Project's charity. Choir members also donated a large number of Christmas gifts to the children supported by the Peace of Mind charity. The choir continues to grow and currently boasts 80 members, led by choir director Eleanor Mooney who is now well into her second decade leading the choir.
The Glasshouse - In 2024, a new musical community was born: Share the Stage as part of The Glasshouse International Centre for Music's 20th anniversary celebrations. Aimed at bringing communities together through music, marking a significant milestone for both the venue and the region. Over 300 people, including local musicians of all abilities, Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus, and a star-studded line-up of soloists, performed Michael Tippett's choral masterpiece, A Child of Our Time. Share the Stage celebrated enjoyment and enthusiasm, inviting performers from all walks of life to join in. Many participants overcame significant barriers to join Share the Stage. The project was about building connections and creating a sense of belonging.
Catina Band - an open access music group/ensemble that has been running for just over a year. The musicians have adapted their teaching styles, through EDI and SEND training and research on how music making can be more inclusive. This has transformed the way they teach to reach more children and young people across Gateshead. They are now receiving referrals from the Gateshead SEND team as well as attracting young people from Cedars Academy, because of the inclusive nature of the music making taking place.
Sports Club of the Year - sponsored by Gateshead FC
Team Wheelers - has grown significantly and in 2024 welcomed 80 paying members to their regular weekly rides. Volunteers have carried out dozens of free bike repairs, provided free basic maintenance training to the wider community, and supported more people getting into cycling. Above all, the club has developed a tight-knit community of people caring for and supporting each other and the wider community. For many who keep coming back, the bike rides and better physical health are not the primary draw, but the benefits to mental health. This year the club organised a group trip to Arnhem in Holland, supporting another local cycling group made up of military veterans to make the trip over for the 80th commemorations for World War 2 and led the Santa's Bike Ride to four local primary schools and four care homes - all in full festive costume and freezing conditions!
Pelaw Bowling Club - The club has made amazing strides since acquiring the site via asset transfer prior to the pandemic. They have made major improvements, revitalising the pavilion site and have developed a series of activities for residents in the local area attracting a greater number of people than ever before. The club have created an environmental classroom for local school children and have established a bowling competition for local primary schools. They have created a warm space and weekly tai chi and support some of our most vulnerable residents. Their work continues to grow and see their role in revitalising Bill Quay Park so that it has facilities to enable people to enjoy the park and to increase footfall.
Gateshead Hockey Club - Established in 1957, Gateshead Hockey Club supports the local community through their coaching and camps also working in partnership with Gateshead Schools Sport Partnership (GSSP) providing support in organising hockey tournaments within the Gateshead community and with England Hockey in their 'Pick up Stick' initiative. The club is the first hockey club in Britain to receive the gift of a defibrillator from charity, RALPHH and has now become the most generous sporting club in raising funds for the national charity. The club now has over 150 members aged from six years old to seniors.
Whickham Cricket Club - this has been one of the most successful years in the club's history. The junior section has been thriving in recent seasons and success is now coming on the pitch. The under 11s won the league and were cup finalists, the under 13s won the league and cup double, while the under 15s won their division. The under 9s were county runners up in the softball performance league and new under 11s girls' softball played well in a number of festivals. Another huge successful story was the women's softball team. Starting from nothing in April and by the end of the season 30 women were enjoying cricket and developing their skills. Our junior coaching nights are always packed on Friday evenings with whole families involved in playing cricket and socialising. They have become a true community club!
Tackling Climate Change - sponsored by Gateshead College
Green Heart Collective - have made an outstanding contribution to sustainability, waste reduction, and environmental awareness in Gateshead and beyond. Diverting thousands of items from landfill by rescuing, restoring and reselling second-hand clothing, furniture and home goods, they extend the lifecycle of products, reducing waste and carbon emissions. They host sustainability workshops to educate people and inspire action. They encourage people to repair instead of replace by offering repair workshops, DIY upcycling sessions and demonstrations showing people how to give new life to old items. They also work with local councils, schools and community groups to help educate.
Gateshead West Uniform Scheme - the scheme estimates to have saved two tons of uniform from going to landfill. It enables people to buy uniform on a pay as you feel basis helping those who struggle to afford buying new, as school logo uniform donations are taken and redistributed to children in Gateshead. Donations of coats, wellies, football boots and fancy dress are also offered. They have also diversified their offer by using Vinted to sell surplus stock with the income raised helping towards their rent.
The Regeneration Shop - is an innovative community shop which does a great job to reduce Chopwell's environmental impact and are having a very positive impact on the community in Chopwell and further afield. Managed by Chopwell Regeneration Group, they repair household items, including electrical goods, clothing and garden tools, with the support of their talented volunteers. They sell repaired and upcycled second-hand goods that would otherwise go to landfill. Earlier this year they were also awarded their first national award 'Going Green' from the Rural Community Business Awards.
Voluntary/Charitable Organisation of the Year
2 Way Tenancy Solutions CIC - help make a big difference in people's lives providing help for people with complex issues through a range of support which includes face to face tenant interventions, training, support and help with the transition through the benefits system. The team are committed to improving the lives of tenants and residents by providing a service which is dependent on the client's needs. They also provide training courses to other support organisations on topics such as mental health.
Birkhead Wild - have worked with children of all capabilities teaching them about the outdoors and nature and have various programmes to help young people tackle isolation and achieve their goals and dreams.
NE Youth - makes a positive difference to the lives of young people running sessions in the community as well as well as projects aimed at building skills, such as employability, life skills, first aid, leadership and communication. In the last year they have also launched two new sessions, including the Barmoor Inclusive Hub for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. They also provide support, advice, funding and signposting to 185 member organisations.
Volunteer of the Year - sponsored by Crossling Plumbers
Wendy Young - as Secretary of Low Fell Gardeners and Secretary of Low Fell Forum, Wendy leads on the planting and maintenance of all Low Fell's planters and baskets securing plants, bulbs and equipment and helping organising planting events, awards and Remembrance and Christmas Lights Switch ons and is an active member of the Friends of Saltwell Park. Wendy has also taken on the role of Secretary of the Volunteer Gardeners and the Forum following the retirement of her predecessor in 2017/18.
Irene Simm - has volunteered for FACT (Fighting Against Cancer Together) for the last five years and raised over £5,000 in the last year. In addition, she also supports Embells and Hebburn Helps charities and has even converted her home garage for use as a drop off centre for charity donations. She is a valued member of the Gateshead community with her charitable work attending school fetes running raffles and tombolas to generate funds for the charities. She has supported many vulnerable neighbours and friends with addiction and life-threatening illnesses.
Sara Muzaffar - inspired by her own experience as an asylum seek, Sara set up Peace of Mind to create a safe space for any asylum seeker in need of help, providing a safe space, food and advice for any subject or topic. She provides English classes to those who need them, helping to gain confidence and support. The organisation has grown significantly over the years and she now has volunteers, who are people she previously helped.
Susan Moody - started out with helping as a volunteer for Big Local but soon progressed to running it. Sorting out the mass of food donations so that she can open the shop to help local families who are struggling financially. Susan always has a kind word and time to listen to many of the older people who come and need the lifeline of a conversation as well as food.
Young Achiever of the Year
Maya Baggaley - a young carer to her younger sister who has Down Syndrome, learning Makaton to communicate and develop her sister's speech and signing. She also regularly helps at Gateshead West Uniform Scheme market helping with repairs and volunteers with Down Syndrome North East, where she looks after fundraising at family events and is a regular at the monthly playgroup session. Maya is a volunteer coach at her local gymnastics group and she also runs her own sewing business, which she uses to fundraise for charities, all whilst studying for her GCSEs.
Billy Bowmaker - following an Autistic burnout which left him too ill to attend school or complete his GCSEs, Billy was home schooled for his last academic year and managed to sit one exam. Just before turning 17, Billy was diagnosed with ASD and then ARFID and has struggled for several years with anxiety and burnouts. In the last twelve months Billy has achieved level 2 and 3 AAT in accountancy and volunteers at Oxfam one day a week in the accounts department
PAC Group - passionate advocates for social change, the PAC Group are a team of five young people with lived experiences of school exclusion and serious youth violence who are using their experiences to support others and create a safer community for others. The group have worked on social action projects, supporting and engaging over 100 young people in the area and are planning their second research project looking at trusted adults, safe spaces, healthy relationships and identifying potential solutions for serious youth violence incidents and school exclusions amongst many other things, including developing Q cards on key topics for Gateshead students.
Brandon Bartrop - volunteers for activities with Big Local for the last four years. This last year he has been involved in the monthly meetings and sub-groups, planning and organising open air play sessions for youngsters, a Halloween spooky walk, litter picks, allotment and supports in the shop. He has also agreed to become a trustee of the charity. All whilst overcoming his own personal challenges.
Armed Forces in the Community - sponsored by Komatsu
Brian Gray, Gateshead Sea Cadets - Brian has dedicated his time to leading the Gateshead Sea Cadets. Helping them learn life skills such as cooking, baking and interpersonal skills by taking the groups to other parts of the country to meet other cadet groups. Through activities and adventures the cadets learn teamwork, respect, loyalty, self-confidence, commitment and self-discipline as well as how to be the best version of themselves. They also support the council's Remembrance Sunday and the North East Field of Remembrance, providing a full unit on parade and a guard of honour at the Field of Remembrance. Due to the lack of funding the sea cadets receive, Brian was also instrumental in helping to obtain a proper uniform for the cadets.
Gateshead Armed Forces Veterans Association - set up following the closure of the Gateshead Royal British Legion Branch in 2013, the Gateshead Armed Forces Veterans Association and members of the group have supported Gateshead Council in each military event held, offering support, guidance and expertise in the military field. This work is done in their own time and they volunteer to support the council, in all weathers and in force. They arrange the attendance of the Standard Bearers from each military unit so that events such as Remembrance Sunday are a fitting tribute to those being remembered.