Dedicated members of the Winchester community have been acknowledged at an annual awards ceremony.

The Mayor of Winchester’s Community Awards took place in Winchester Guildhall on Thursday 12 March, when 50 award certificates were presented to a total of 105 people.  

Among those recognised on the evening were volunteers with local sports teams, nurses from the Nick Jonas ward at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, and representatives from volunteer groups and charities across the district, including Trinity Kitchen Crew, Winchester Go LD, Winchester Good Neighbours, Citizens Advice, Friends of the Family, the Meon Valley Active Retirement Association, Friends of King Alfred Buses and the Winchester Beacon.   

Also recognised were advisors from Active LD, a local CIC which empowers people with learning disabilities to get active, build confidence and boost wellbeing through regular exercise. Its forthcoming Winchester Personal Bests event will take place in Winchester Sport and Leisure Park on Thursday 3 September. 

Betty Chadwick, Executive Director of Active LD, said: “This was very special moment for everyone at Active LD. We are grateful to the Mayor of Winchester for acknowledging our LD Advisors with this award, which recognises the incredible contribution they make to our organisation and community. Active LD is proudly participant-led, and our amazing advisors play a key role in shaping everything we do to help people with learning disabilities become more active. A huge well done and thank you to Evie, Dave, Ryan, Daniel, Matthew and James – we are incredibly proud of you.”

The Whiteley Wanderers Pumas girls’ football team were also presented with an award. James White from Whiteley Wanderers FC said: “It was an incredible evening, and we are so proud of the Pumas who have been recognised by the Mayor of Winchester in this way. The girls are an inspiration, future leaders, and they are doing the club, their community and themselves proud.” 

The Mayor of Winchester Cllr Sudhakar Achwal said: “The Mayor’s Awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise individuals and groups across our district who go above and beyond in service to others. Much of what they do happens quietly and without any expectation of recognition, yet it makes a profound difference to the lives of people in our communities.

“The nominations tell a story of kindness, dedication and generosity of spirit, and together they represent the very best of our Winchester District.

“These remarkable individuals and organisations remind us that the true strength of our district lies not only in its history and heritage, but in the compassion, commitment and community spirit of its people. It has been a real privilege to recognise and celebrate their contributions.”