Community Awards 2025

• Laura received two separate nominations
• Both nominations highlight the many things Laura has done for the village and community of Sharnford – it’s a daily commitment
• Nearly five years ago, Laura took on the running of Sharnford Youth Club Charity – or the Sharnford Village Hall
• The hall has gone from strength to strength and hosts a range of groups and events, with Laura reported to spend her weekends going back and forth to the Hall
• making sure everything is set up and the hall is being looked after
• Laura launched the new, fast-growing Youth Club and she's organised inter-generational events, such as the VE Day celebrations with the Sea Cadets
• Laura has fundraised tirelessly, including successfully securing grant funding, to make improvements to the building and help ensure it is fit for purpose and sustainable for the future
• Laura also set up a Community Food Table, establishing relationships with local supermarkets to supply produce. The scheme supports dozens of households in need of a little extra help each week
• Perhaps unsurprisingly, Laura is also an integral member of the Village Fete committee – helping to plan the fete, and raise vital funds for local community groups
• Laura was described in the following ways by those who nominated her: “She is the glue that holds everything together”, “Without Laura the village would have nothing: she is the voice and the go to person”, she's a “tour de force”
• The panel was unanimous in choosing Laura as the winner for all that she has achieved and the positive impact she is making for so many different people on a daily basis

• Jack is described as a selfless and inspirational scout leader who has dedicated his life to scouting
• Over the last four years he’s been Group Scout leader in Countesthorpe as well as being on the county leadership team
• The Countesthorpe Group has grown into one of the largest in the county, with around 180 young people attending each week
• This is put down to Jack’s vision, dedication and ability to inspire others
• He ensures the group runs smoothly and offers all young people a welcoming and inclusive environment
• Jack is big on community too, and helps scouts to understand the importance of giving back
• Jack is also responsible for the annual scout pantomime – a cherished tradition locally - which he writes and directs
• Despite living with a disability, Jack works tirelessly and is a true role model and advocate for young people - helping them to aim and achieve high

• Our judging panel couldn’t split these two exceptional and dedicated young women from Winstanley School
• They’ve volunteered themselves for a wide range of responsibilities and activities
• Both are prefects in school and willingly lend a helping hand to both staff and students
• They both support a number of ‘Upstander Groups’ in the school, including the Stephen Lawrence Group – giving their time to support others and challenge discrimination and prejudice
• They’ve put themselves forward to speak at events and assemblies to promote equality, respect and inclusion, as well as being members of other groups such as Eco Club
• Both offer their time for school open events – guiding students and visitors; they help during school breaks on playground duty; and offer a listening ear to other pupils through the Christian Union
• Grace and Promise also volunteer their time outside of the school environment at Blaby District Youth Council – championing the voice of young people in the district
• They are the Chair and Vice-Chair respectively – positions for which they were elected by their peers on the Youth Council
• They both bring leadership skills and new ideas, they ensure the meetings run smoothly, and that projects are delivered, all the time making sure that everyone’s voice is heard and valued
• Both are currently in the process of helping to plan the annual Youth Conference next month

In her nomination, Grace is described as:

• "an exceptional young leader who embodies the spirit of volunteering and community"
• "she has made a lasting positive impact both within her school and the wider community"
• "Grace embodies what it truly means to be part of a community – getting involved, supporting others and making a real difference wherever she goes"

In her nomination, Promise is described in the following ways:

• "Her kindness, empathy and unwavering commitment to helping others make her an inspiration to her peers"
• "Promise’s compassion, reliability and positive influence reflect the very best of volunteerism and community spirit"

• This young man really impressed the judging panel
• Conor is a member of Blaby Spartans Pan Disability Football Club
• In addition to playing in one of the teams, Conor volunteers his time on Saturdays to help with the younger members’ training session
• He also volunteers on Fridays for Leicester Tigers wheelchair rugby team and has done this for several seasons now
• As part of this role Conor helps with setting up and packing away, coaching and refereeing, as well as fixing and repairing equipment for the players – such as when wheelchair tyres pop during a game!
• This is on top of Conor’s work for Leicester Tigers on match day, and at the elite athlete hotel in Loughborough

• Kate has volunteered at Countesthorpe Cricket Club for eight years, dedicating two or three evenings a week and her weekends to the Junior Section
• The Junior Section is made up of 130 children - boys and girls - aged 6-19 years
• She organises, arranges and manages all age group games and practice sessions
• During the winter, she organises the indoor coaching and training sessions every Sunday afternoon, as well as all the planning that is required to organise 100+ children (and their parents) prior to the actual practice sessions taking place
• Without Kate, the Junior Section of the club would just not function  
• Kate is part of the management committee and she keeps up to date with all the relevant legislation for the club
• She also gets heavily involved in the social side of the club: selling tickets and arranging many events, such as BBQs during the summer, as well serving behind the bar at every junior event and ordering all bar supplies, co-ordinating deliveries and stock control
• On top of all this, Kate is involved in Junior Cricket in the wider South Leicestershire area

• Last year Katie started coaching a group of 14 ladies teaching them how to play netball
• Katie advertised on social media and just one post generated a lot of interest: in just a few months there are now 70 ladies turning up each week to play netball!
• She arranges the courts (inside or outside depending on weather), keeps track of who can come each week, manages seven WhatsApp groups and turns up every week to run the sessions
• Each week there are now three back-to-back matches which Katie umpires
• The sessions are friendly, easy going, competitive, but most of all fun
• Katie's netball club has instilled confidence and helped create friendships and a community network, as well as improving fitness and helped some members to lose weight
• The nomination included some wonderful feedback from members of the group: "We laugh so much. It's the best night of the week. It's better than therapy!", "Katie boosts every single lady in a way they need", "She's not just a coach to us. She's everything we love about Thursday nights!"

• This group received multiple nominations and nearly 600 votes, making up just under 20% of the public vote
• Cosby Crafters Group is part of Gather Create Grow – which was set up by Nat and Mel in 2021
• Cosby Crafters are described by one nominator as “the beating heart of Cosby Yarn Bomb” – which is how this group is best known
• They are responsible for the fantastic displays that appear each Summer throughout Cosby
• What was clear from the nominations is that this is not just a hobby group: this is a group that has wellbeing at its heart
• As one person put it in their nomination: “Cosby Crafters is a remarkable community group that uses the power of creativity to bring people together, strengthen connections, and support mental wellbeing... What began as a small gathering of local makers has grown into a much-loved hub of friendship, compassion and creativity”
• The group involves people from all generations, bringing them together and sharing experiences
• It’s clear that everyone involved feels a real sense of belonging and purpose creating displays for the yarn bomb or making items to donate to charities or those in need
• New skills are learned and friendships are made
• As another nominator put it, “this group brings joy”

• The Inclusive Team at Vipers Rugby Club came about thanks to Louise Holmes and Gavin Bodicoat who took this idea to the Club committee
• They wanted to start the first Inclusive Touch Rugby Team for adults and young people of all needs in the county
• They held their first session in September 2024 – with only a couple of players, including Louise’s son – and the team has grown from there
• The sessions take place on Friday evenings during the rugby season: they provide not only exercise and a whole lot of fun, they build confidence in the young people that go along
• Louise in particular has put a lot of time into applying for grants and getting sponsorship to ensure the team is self-funding
• Louise and Gavin are both strong advocates for the team and passionate about inclusion in sport: they recently went to County Hall to talk to parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to promote what this rugby team can offer
• The nomination was made to recognise and thank Louise, Gavin and all the coaches for the time and hard work they have put into building this team and making rugby inclusive to everyone

Central Co-op has sponsored the Young Volunteer of the Year award for the last five years. Each year, The Winstanley School has put forward some truly exceptional nominations in this category. The school - and its staff - was given special recognition for their role in championing volunteering not just within the school, but within the wider community.

The school is dedicated to creating opportunities and encouraging their pupils to get involved in different activities of community benefit, for example the Community Fridge that has been set up and run by pupils at the school, many of whom attended the awards ceremony as well. The school was awarded a voucher from Central Coop towards the community fridge.