Derby Voluntary Sector Awards 2025
- Admin
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Brought to you by Derby Volunteer Centre and Community Action with support from Derby Homes, the Derby Voluntary Sector Awards celebrates the city’s amazing voluntary and community sector.
The Derby Voluntary Sector Awards 2024 were held on 5th June 2025 at the Museum of Making, Derby and we heard so many inspirational stories of achievements of individuals in Derby City who have been striving to make improvements to the lives of those in their local communities.
Derby Youth Alliance celebrates the youth sector of Derby City and would like to recognise the young people and volunteers who were winners at the Voluntary Sector Awards.
Youth Work Award - Empower Her
Empower Her was created by a group of young South Asian and Muslim girls. There young women saw a real need in their communities and came together to make a change. The group's aim is to raise aspirations and help girls believe in themselves. Empower Her runs monthly weekend workshops, reaching up to 50 girls at a time. The sessions give girls a safe space to talk, connect, and grow. One young volunteer, who was once too shy to speak in a group, delivered a powerful poem at a Community Iftar event in front of 200 people. Another delivers a Soccercise session in a setting where football isn't seen as a positive activity for Muslim women and girls. Empower Her stands out because it's not run by adults looking in - it's led by the very girls who understand the challenges first-hand. They're creating real change, showing what's possible, and inspiring others along the way.
Young Volunteer Award - Age 5-14 - Zach Bowles
Zach Bowles is an 8-year-old Junior Ambassador for me&dee charity. The sessions me&dee runs are focused on peer support and Zach has brought immense benefit to the charity's team of volunteers with his energy and passion. Through these sessions, Zach has been immeasurably helpful, engaging other children to get them involved in activities. Zach's support goes far beyond surface level help. He has been an invaluable member of the team in caring for one of the children me&dee support in particular, providing them with non-judgemental friendship and kindness in a time of real difficulty. The me&dee team is endlessly grateful to have Zach on the team and couldn't be prouder of him and the young man he is becoming.
Young Volunteer Award - Age 15-24 - Rashifa Ali
Rashifa Ali, a third-year law student at University of Derby, has become an outstanding volunteer for the University's Schools Taskmaster project. Over the last two years, Rashifa has lead on the project, which sees University of Derby students going into local schools and teaching key principles of relevant law to year 5 pupils through a series of fun tasks. Highly organised and dependable, Rashifa has shown energy and passion throughout the project. She listened to the pupils taking part and coordinated her peers, ensuring the young learners got the most out of the project. Rashifa will also play a key role in the regional final of the 2025 Schools Taskmaster challenge being held in the city's Kedleston Road University campus. Rashifa is an excellent role model and is invested in those younger than her, inspiring them with her energy and enthusiasm.
Well done to all other award category winners!
Anita Marbrow (me&dee) - Community Champion Award
Community Cafe & Storehouse Meal - Community Space Award
Surtal Arts - Arts, Culture and Heritage Award
Terrance Amalathas (Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity) - New Arrivals Ambassador Award
Chellaston Shelton Lock Community Hub - Hardship Support Award
Christine Charles - Overcoming Barriers Award
Derby Trailblazers Basketball Club - Sporting Award
Nigel Farrow (Umbrella) - Trustee of the Year Award
Rob Malcolm - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award
Connected Perinatal Support CIC - Health and Wellbeing Award
Thrivemind Village - Green Ambassador Award
Anthony Sandar (Derby Toc H Children's Camp) - Lifetime Achievement Award
For more information on the Derby Voluntary Sector Awards click here
For more information on volunteering opportunities in Derby City click here
