The Team of Pride Award is awarded to teams of people who make a difference to other people’s lives and putting others needs before their own. This can include creating clubs, meetings or fundraising.
The 2026 Team of Pride Award is sponsored by Essex Life. Please click here to visit their website.
The Pride of Essex Team of Pride Award 2025 was sponsored by St Lawrence Holiday Park.
Sound and Vision Sensory CIC brings light and sound to those living in silence and darkness. For people who are blind, deaf, or deafblind, they are more than support workers: they are trusted companions and guides.
Their nominee wrote: "Ten years ago, I lost my sight. Without Sound and Vision Sensory , I would have become isolated. They helped me regain normalcy and arranged urgent support when I was unwell. They’ve become my eyes, my guides, and my trusted companions. They help me attend hospital appointments, understand consultations, and treat me with dignity and care."
The team, based in Feering, use specialist communication methods to reconnect profoundly deafblind individuals with the world. They’ve also helped profoundly deaf immigrants learn English, even when their first language is a different sign language dialect.
Sound and Vision Sensory work quietly and powerfully, shining light into lives that need it most. Truly, a Team of Pride.
For 20 years, Cross Keys Community Fund, from Thurrock, has organised Christmas pantomimes and parties for children at Changing Pathways Women’s Refuge and other disadvantaged groups.
Entirely volunteer-run and self-funded, Cross Keys has supported over 100 charities and groups, focusing on vulnerable and overlooked communities. Over the past 5 years, they’ve supported Knit and Natter groups and the Women’s Institute by providing materials, with finished items donated to care homes, homeless charities, and NICU units.
Cross Keys engages with 10 local primary schools through arts competitions and has donated thousands of prizes. Their annual Easter Egg Hunt has distributed over 1,500 eggs, even gaining national media attention. They sponsor three children’s cricket teams, encouraging outdoor activity and inclusion.
They’ve arranged brass band performances at care homes, donated to Thurrock Play Network, Talking Newspaper, Blackshots Bowls Club, and contributed to Tilbury’s Christmas lights, they support Mind Charity and Thurrock Community Hospital and recently donated a large TV for a sensory garden.They were recently honoured on Thurrock’s Mayoral Roll for outstanding service.
Off the Streets is a group formed in response to Southend’s high number of rough sleepers in 2018. After closing its shelter in 2020 due to COVID, it reopened a new one: the only local shelter for couples, for up to nine people. Guests are set goals around housing, health, or employment, broken into manageable “stepping stones.” They work with volunteers or independently, ready for the next step. Support continues even after guests are housed.
In the first two years, Off the Streets helped 119 people into accommodation. They earned the Excellence Standard in the Night Shelter Kitemark from Housing Justice, with a judge noting of the shelter: “This one feels like home.” Many former guests now volunteer.
Volunteers and Trustees have made a remarkable impact in Purfleet-on-Thames by establishing Thurrock’s first Community Pantry and Café. It offers essential groceries at low cost, and the Café provides affordable meals and drinks in a friendly environment, helping residents relax, share stories, and build friendships. The initiative has alleviated stress for families and individuals facing hardship, while the Café combats isolation by offering a space to socialize and connect.
Volunteers have raised over £3,000 to support ongoing work, refurbishing a derelict building into a community hub with help from businesses, and being added to the Mayor’s Roll of Honour. The Purfleet Community Pantry and Café have become a lifeline for many.
Friends of Treetops Special School is a volunteer-run charity dedicated to supporting pupils and staff. Their fundraising has transformed the school experience for children with special needs, providing opportunities and resources that would otherwise be out of reach. From refurbishing the soft play area and playground to funding proms and discos, their efforts ensure every child feels celebrated and included.
Since restarting after COVID, Friends of Treetops has raised awareness and funds for vital projects, creating inclusive, safe, and fun environments. Their work has led to a fully renovated soft play and sensory room, £30,000 in classroom resources, an outdoor exercise area with seating, and an outdoor classroom cabin.
The Pride of Essex Team of Pride Award 2023 was sponsored by St Lawrence Holiday Park.
David Stanley began working with people with learning disabilities 24 years ago when he befriended a young man with Downs Syndrome. David played him the piano and sang to him. The reaction he got back in return so inspired David that, with Southend Mencap, he sought out more learning-disabled people to teach. He promised his new students that one day they would play the Royal Albert Hall. Twenty years later David fulfilled his promise when he presented two hundred of his students from across the UK at the Royal Albert Hall in a show called "Music is Magic". In the years between, David established The Music Man Project as a separate charity and enabled his students to perform twice at the London Palladium, to break a world record and perform to members of the Royal Family. His father Roland wrote to us and said, “David has helped Southend, Essex and the UK become a global exporter of accessible music-making. His next dream is a performance on Broadway and a purpose-built headquarters in Essex – the first of its kind in the UK. I am deeply proud of my son and can think of no more deserving candidate for a Pride of Essex Award”.
Based in Rochford, the Day centre is for adults with learning disabilities and additional needs. The centre also Provides support for twenty living houses. The staff act as one big family, planning lots of days out and activities, as well as teaching life skills and helping in the local community with volunteering projects. They are committed to ensuring that all individuals receive the highest quality care and support. The enthusiastic Team that run the Centre arrange their own fund raising to cover taking their group to fun filled outings. As well as raising monies for the outings they also raise funds for local charities and businesses who support the SEN community. One of their recent visitors wrote on their website, “What a lovely place with wonderful people and fantastic staff.”
For over 40 years, the club has been teaching the community, how to learn to kayak. Everyone involved, has given their time and love, tirelessly, to kayaking and those that want to learn. Not one person is paid for their time; they give everything, just for the love of the sport. They reach out to the young, and to the not so young. Their Chair Amanda Gilmore says, “We are just one family, caring both for the people we help, and for the environment that we paddle in.”
Sanctus volunteers are now 50 strong. They are people from all walks of life-some have been homeless, some vulnerable, some physically disabled, some retired, some elderly and some with life limiting and life shortening illnesses. But they all have one thing in common and that is to help those who are vulnerable, homeless, mentally and physically unwell, and often on the periphery of society. Sanctus volunteers collect food donations late at night, prep and cook healthy filling meals, counsel those in need, serve food and provide addiction support to those living life on the edge. They are an eclectic and wonderfully kind-hearted group of people; without them Sanctus could not carry out its great work.
The Whyman family, celebrated the birth of twin boys Raffy and Siddy, in April of 2021. In April of 2022, just one day after their first birthday, the twins were diagnosed, with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 1 (SMA). They were, the first set of identical twins, to be diagnosed with this terrible, mobility condition. Parents Jenna and Steve, were told that the boys were unlikely to live beyond the age of two.
However, through their perseverance and determination, the couple managed to have the twins undergo gene therapy, using a new and very expensive drug called Zolgensma. Mum Jenna, had to reside at Great Ormond Street Hospital, for several months, while the twins received therapy, and their progress was monitored. Their sister, Marnie, missed her Mum and brothers very much, whilst she stayed at home with Dad Steve, who took care of her, his work, and their home. All the family, are deserving in their own way. To see the determination, and effort of the twin boys, in moving their heads, is uplifting and inspirational. Young sister Marnie, is not only protective, but readily informs people, about her brothers’ disabilities, and is so inclusive. Parents, Jenna and Steve, juggle family life, appointments, making memories and working, to provide the best opportunities for their young family. They have continual costs to incur for both boys, double the cost of everything, such as private physios. Even mobility equipment, must be self-funded, as the NHS do not contribute, until a child is over the age of three. Jenna started a GoFundMe page, and their followers responded generously. As the family says on its funding page, “We have an extremely long road ahead of us, and with this drug being so new, there is still a lot of uncertainty around the future, but we remain positive and as a family, will stay strong together”.
The Pride of Essex Team of Pride Award 2022 was sponsored by St Lawrence Holiday Park.
Bradley Winstanley is the father of the 2021 Children of Courage, twins Freddie and Austin. Austin who has cerebral palsy had made amazing progress with the aid of his brother, his own great determination and therapy treatment. However, continued therapy treatment is hard to find in Essex, particularly now therapy Centre ‘Brainwave’ in Witham had closed. Bradley knew of other parents with similar difficulties so having discussed the matter with his wife Charlotte he decided to invest his life savings in creating the Ability Therapies centre at a converted barn within a farm in Bicknacre. Their stated goal is to help children to maximise every ability and reach their full potential. It has had great results with the treatment given there by their enthusiastic and gifted therapists, three of whom Kirsty, Melanie, and Emma are here this evening. One mother wrote to us saying, “My daughter is our miracle and Ability Therapies are our heroes.”
This amazing bunch of people are out every day cleaning up badly fly tipped rubbish and littered areas, planting bulbs and plants where they can.
The group was started by Michelle Squier who wrote, “When walking my daughter to school I saw the same litter every day, and no one seemed to be doing anything about it, so I decided to start a campaign myself. It’s great to see all our volunteers out and about collecting litter and seeing the incredible difference they’re making in the area. We have collected over 2,000 bags of litter and pulled out lots of rubble from the woods clearing the way for deer. We hope our work encourages others to come and join in and help us to keep Havering litter free.”
Colchester anti loo roll brigade was originally set up by Peter Dutch in response to the panic buying during the early days of the Covid 19 pandemic. The initial aim was to provide a support network for those who needed help to get through lockdown. As the pandemic grew, so did the group. They recruited a huge support network which became a lifeline for those Elderly, disabled and isolated in the community. The Anti Loo roll brigade arranged prescription delivery, education services as well as providing food, gifts and much needed positivity to local NHS and care homes, which included Elvis concerts and bagpipes to name a few! The Group quickly became extremely successful in supplying help where and when it was needed. Peter Dutch and his team have worked tirelessly for the local community ever since the first lock down providing assistance to vulnerable children and adults, and bringing a smile to faces wherever they go.
Over the past six years. Springfield Youth Group, together with the recently formed Baddow and Galleywood Youth Group, have been an inspiration to the young of their communities. They have helped so many young people (ages 11 to 17), and parents alike, by educating them on topical matters like internet safety and youth violence. They encourage young people to respect their society and often have projects that contribute to the community.
Their nominator Mr Kent Keetley wrote: “This team is truly an inspiration, none of them get paid for what they do, it’s all about trying to prevent youth problems in our communities. I feel it’s time as a community to say thank you for what they do”
Katie was our Pride of Essex Child of Courage six years ago. She was being treated by Brompton Hospital for an ongoing heart problem, and as a result she had started a charity called Katie’s heart appeal, which successfully provided equipment both for the hospital and for local schools. The charity began fundraising for Maple and Stanford Park with the aim of having a 24/7 public access defibrillator. Soon residents of Stanford Park approached and asked if they could help. Each year they raise funds with a very impressive Christmas light display. Christmas 2021 they wanted to raise money for Katie's Heart Appeal to help towards the defibrillators. BBC Essex did a couple of interviews about Katie's Heart Appeal and the Christmas light display. It went viral! They set out to raise £1,500 to buy the community defibrillator, the charity ended up raising £12,000!
Nominator Charlotte Davies wrote, “Our mission is to place as many defibrillators as we can in the community. Due to the hard work of the residents, fundraising every night throughout December, we were able to do this.”
The Pride of Essex Team of Pride Award 2021 was sponsored by Watson & Company Accountants.
This group has been supporting the community not only assisting the East Of England Ambulance service by attending 999 calls, but also, during the pandemic, the collection and delivering of prescriptions and shopping. The group is run solely by volunteers who even while working full time during the pandemic have still managed to support the Canvey community by going above and beyond their normal duties support the Ambulance service. They have also been instrumental in coordinating the roll out of Covid-19 vaccinations. They are not funded by the NHS which requires an individual responder to utilise their own vehicle with no mileage allowance for fuel.
Nominators ‘Clowns in the Sky’ specialise in helping Children with brain tumours. Their funding was suffering due to the great drop caused by the Pandemic. The day was saved due to the intervention of the Essex Mark Masons.
Nominator Donna Byrne, development officer of the charity, said, "We have been able to continue delivering smiles to children in hospital because of generous people like the Mark Masons of Essex. Their generosity has provided the Phoenix Ward at Broomfield Hospital with a portable arts crafts and sensory trolley. They also gave their recommendation that the charity should be put forward for even more Essex funding.""
The team at Walton Pre School has worked tirelessly through the pandemic to ensure that no child or family goes without food or clothing during these difficult times. They have reached out to provide during all the school holidays to anyone who needs it. They have given new clothing, blankets, coats, flasks, PJs, socks and provided duvets to keep people warm. They have recently introduced a slow cooker club which provides families with a slow cooker and ingredients for hot family meals to last a six-week period. They have accessed grants to provide support with winter fuel costs and have provided access to white goods when needed. The team is committed to ensure that no family or child is disadvantaged through circumstances beyond their control. The small team deals with all this on top of their day job of providing childcare for 26 families.
James Taverner was instrumental in setting up Goodgym in Colchester. He came to our attention as it was he who nominated Dan Norkett, one of his volunteers since he joined the group three years ago. Goodgym itself began in London in 2009 as an organisation dedicated to putting to good use the energy spent in gymnasiums to include ‘Good Deeds’ such as Litter picking and tree planting. Helping the elderly with difficult tasks, such as clearing gardens, changing light bulbs, also making social visits to lonely isolated people. They now have 58 established units across the country. Colchester being an example. James described Dan as quiet and unassuming but consistent and dedicated too. He had helped out 86 times and was currently running 5 Kilometers a day to raise funds for the World Wildlife Fund. All at Goodgym seem to be keeping fit while get stuck-in to all their tasks whether it is cleaning food banks, litter picking or digging allotments.
There are several NHS employees at each of our Essex Hospitals who are employed to bring fun and distraction to children in hospital. Perhaps most importantly to the medical staff, they act as distractions whilst procedures are being undertaken, sometimes even in operating theatres. They are friendly, approachable, flexible, re-assuring, compassionate, and caring. Nominated by Donna Byrne of Clowns in the Sky who wrote, “The ladies have their own lives, some with young families but remain devoted in their support to the children on their wards”.
The Pride of Essex Team of Pride Award 2020 was sponsored by Watson Accounting.
The Essex Freemasons Fund, established in late 2019, has been a critical support system for communities across Essex, particularly in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially set up to award grants to local charities and organisations, the fund made an impressive start by issuing six grants of £10,000 each in 2020. However, as the pandemic unfolded, the fund’s focus expanded to address urgent needs, such as providing PPE to essential workers and supporting vulnerable groups. Key contributions include a £20,000 donation to bolster antibody testing, pledging an additional £100,000 to fight the virus across the East of England, and delivering 50 litres of hand sanitiser to Essex Search and Rescue volunteers.
Among other initiatives, the fund provided £10,000 to the Essex Child Death Review Team to ensure families continue receiving vital support during bereavement, despite pandemic-related funding shortages. Over £10,000 worth of visors were supplied to over 320 care homes, ensuring the safety of staff, along with protective equipment for community mental health teams, district nurses, and air ambulance crews. Ambulance staff received personal bottles of sanitiser as a gesture of appreciation for their efforts. Each item was hand-delivered by Essex Freemasons volunteers, exemplifying their dedication to serving the community during a time of unprecedented need.
Sanctus operate a cafe in Chelmsford for those in need. The primary aim is to feed people with at least one hot meal a day. Demand is growing and has increased from 20 people a day visiting the cafe 8 years ago, to now between 60 and 80 people a day. Sanctus also offer mentoring and one-to-one support to help those with general day-to-day life issues, such as severe drug addiction and alcohol dependency. Sanctus is mainly funded by voluntary donations, however their aim is to develop into a sustainable operation. Main trustees, Emma Hughes (Springfield) and Emma Goldie (Little Baddow), work tirelessly to help keep Sanctus going. Nominator and volunteer strategist Stephen Drury says, “Without them the Chelmsford homeless would have had very little unconditional help over the last 8 years. I cannot recommend Sanctus, and both Emmas highly enough for Pride of Essex recognition.”
The Charity operates from a base in Great Baddow. They support the most vulnerable young people in our county with issues, which include peer relationships, bullying, risk of exclusion and school avoidance. Experienced Mentors are also trained to support those with more complex and long-term difficulties that stem from family dysfunction, social isolation and loneliness, domestic violence and abuse. The aim is to give them the opportunity to engage in activities and experiences that broaden their horizons, develop their social and practical skills as well as building self-esteem to work towards helping them to engage positively in their education. Those at Kids Inspire quite literally provide a lifeline to children and their families. As one grateful parent wrote, “Thank you for all you do. Without Kids Inspire I have no idea where we would be, but it wouldn’t be in a good place.”
It appears that everyone who lives and works at the Centre truly understands the meaning of ‘community spirit’. For example resident 94-year-old Ann took part in a challenge to do 26 crosswords in 26 days to raise money for local SNAP (Special Needs and Parents) The ‘Crossword Queen’, completed the challenge in no time at all, finally raising the impressive sum of £552.00. Another example is the encouragement and promotion of a pen-pal scheme working with local education service ‘Guided Learning’. Linking residents with young people aged from 6 to 16 making new friendships whilst helping to improve the self-confidence of the youngsters.
The home is especially proud of their recent work with the Brentwood Food Bank, raising awareness and donating much needed food for those in need within the community. Each month, the management team and staff set about fulfilling a wish list of items that are running low. They worked incredibly hard to collect as many donations as possible. The final amount of supplies, were boosted further by a generous donation from Care Home itself. Client Relations Manager Sommer Turner wrote, “We believe that the whole of the Brentwood Care Centre Family, our residents and our team, are deserving of recognition for their ongoing commitment to reach out, support and care for those in need within the local community.”
Since 2013 they have provided weekly cookery workshops for young people aged 12 to 25 years at Teen Talk’s centre in Harwich. Many of the young people supported, face a range of difficulties in their lives, anxiety, low self- esteem, lack of confidence, stress, loneliness, bullying and relationship difficulties. All can have a significant impact on their ability to participate in activities. The workshops provided by the Rotary Club volunteers offer them an activity that is relaxed and adaptable to their individual needs to make sure that everyone feels welcome and able to participate. The sessions are great opportunity for young people, to take the first steps in trying something new and meeting others of their own age. The volunteers are able to share knowledge and experience and help to build their skills in the kitchen and their understanding of healthy eating while also building their confidence and self-esteem.
Rotary Volunteers are welcoming, considerate and passionate about helping they also help with maintenance and sharing skills through other activities such as woodwork and a wildlife project. Nominator Emma Blabber of Teen Talk wrote, “The support the Rotary Club has shown Teen Talk over the years is greatly valued, we would be pleased to see them recognised for their great work in supporting the young in our community.”
The Pride of Essex 'Top Teams' Award 2019 was sponsored by Watson Accounting.
The initials stand for Brighter Opportunities for Special People. BOSP is a very small charity working out of Pitsea. They provide respite to disabled young people and children from all across Essex. BOSP aim to provide a fun and safe environment, with the opportunity to try new activities, and meet up with others. It also allows families to have some respite from caring, and perhaps allow other siblings some time with their parents. The effect on the young person attending, and the whole family, cannot be underestimated. They survive on charitable donations and work above and beyond their remit.
The family of one young girl wrote, "Thank you BOSP you make a big difference to our lives."
This is an event held in Brightlingsea, throughout February, called WinterFest. It makes the whole town come alive with a huge range of activities including music, arts and crafts, comedy, film, and spoken word. The festival was started five years ago to help community spirit flourish and to dispel winter gloom. It has gone from strength to strength. Funds raised are shared between the mental health charity MIND and a new WinterFest Wellbeing Fund which gives grants to people in the town to help them take part in activities that will improve their mental and physical health. The first round of grants of £2,000 has just been awarded. WinterFest is run entirely by volunteers, to date over £20,000 has been raised for the great causes.
Lazy Salsa Sunday is an event made by Salsa dancers for Salsa dancers, it began as a once a month meet in Epping on a Sunday afternoon. The crew, Steve, Darren, Nina, Steve, Teri King and Roger give up their own time to set up and run the event. They usually arrive at midday and often don’t get finished until 7.30pm. They became so popular that two years ago they had to move to a larger venue in North Weald. Dancers come from all over Essex from Clacton to Southend, and as faraway as Bedford and even Bristol. The entrance fee and money raised from the sale of homemade cakes is donated to local charities. The last two years donations of £1500 were made to Haven Hospice for children, and St Elizabeth's Hospice. They also donate to a charity nominated by the dancers. This year as well as their usual charities the crew presented a cheque to the RBL for £1200 for the poppy appeal, as some of the crew and dancers are British forces veterans.
Brian McGovern is co-founder of this community organisation, which supports rough sleepers throughout Essex. They carry out regular outreach on a 100% voluntary basis, serving food, supplying essentials such as sleeping bags and toiletries. Thousands of items have been distributed; they also offer advice and support. Brian has made regular TV and radio appeals to highlight the plight of rough sleepers, and is now advising Chelmsford City Council on issues relating to them. Cool to be Kind have an educational department giving regular assembles to educate the pupils in the danger of rough sleeping. Cool to be Kind are responsible for raising thousands of pounds in order to purchase items that they can distribute to their service users. They work tirelessly to help the vulnerable. Brian is currently unemployed yet he gives hours of his time every week. You will often see him and his volunteers, in the centre of Chelmsford checking on the guys and girls on a human level. Cool to be Kind has been responsible in getting many service users off the street.
Every member of staff on the ward goes above and beyond. The house-keepers, play specialists, nurses, consultants, clerks, everyone makes this ward the best. In the darkest of days, when being a mum and keeping your child well, is taken out of your control Phoenix Ward is there. When you, as well as your child, are scared they take the nervousness away. When your child calls the nurses uncles and aunties you know they have a special place in your heart, we see them more than our own family. We have been to many hospitals and had many admissions elsewhere, none compare to Broomfield. Dr Datta has given my son Finley a new lease of life. If you didn’t know it you wouldn’t how poorly he is.
It’s down to these amazing doctors and nurses who fight for you and give the most fantastic care. I trust them with the most precious items I am lucky to have, my children. There isn’t anything more we could do to show how much we appreciate them but a Top Team award from the Pride of Essex would help demonstrate our total appreciation.
The Pride of Essex 'Top Teams' Award 2018 was sponsored by Watson Accounting.
The Maldon Orchestra has been a key part of the town for over 60 years, providing an opportunity for amateur musicians of all ages and skill levels to perform and raise money for local charities. The orchestra holds approximately six concerts a year, with all proceeds going to support causes in the Maldon District.
Membership ranges from 21 to 79 years old, creating a diverse group that enjoys rehearsing and performing together. The orchestra operates on a no-audition policy, making it accessible to anyone who wants to be part of the team. Despite being an amateur group, the orchestra has grown significantly in recent years, doubling its membership.
Through their hard work and dedication, the orchestra continues to make a meaningful impact on their community, offering both music and support to local charities.
The Pride of Essex Team of Pride Award 2017 was sponsored by Easy Mobility Services.
Gemma lives in Witham but the Big Sing has many choirs in Essex. Maldon, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Rayleigh, Halstead, Basildon and of course Witham. It started just a few years ago when Gemma and husband Howard decided to use their professional musicality to encourage all and sundry to increase the enjoyment of life by joining a choir. Such was Gemma’s enthusiasm that, from a stand still start, the Big Sing can now boast of over 800 members, a few of which entertained you tonight at our reception. The Big Sing gave birth to a charity just about a year ago called SOUL... it has already raised over £21,000. The Big Sing was nominated by Jodie Sainsbury who said, “Gemma’s dreams are big but her heart is bigger.”
Do you know a team in Essex whose selfless achievements deserve to be celebrated? Nominate them for the 2026 Pride of Essex Team of Pride Award now!
© Pride of Essex Awards 2026