Birmingham: The Community Inspiration Awards ceremony took place on Friday, 20 September 2024, in Birmingham.
The event was hosted by Nozmul Hussain, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation, with awards presented by notable figures including Lord-Lieutenant Dr. Derrick Anderson from the West Midlands Lieutenancy, Siobhan Blake (Chief Crown Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service), Paulette Hamilton (MP for Birmingham, Erdington), Simon Foster (West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner), Chris Payne (Assistant Chief Executive of West Midlands Fire Service), Richard Kirby (Chief Executive of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust), Mike O’Hara (Assistant Chief Constable of West Midlands Police), Shokat Lal (Chief Executive of Sandwell City Council), and Pat Carvalho (Principal & CEO of Birmingham MET College).
Awards were presented in various categories, with the following winners: Lifetime Achievement Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Syed Muhammad Faisal Sami (Faizan Global Relief Foundation UK), 1st Runner-Up: Marwan Bakaili (Halesowen/Dudley Yemeni Community Association), Winner: Bob Rhodes (Lives through Friends CIC).
Duty to the Community Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Davinder Kaur (Skills Work Enterprise Development Agency), 1st Runner-Up: Salma Yaqoob (Birmingham & Solihull Integrated Care System), Winner: Ravinder Taggar.
Bringing People Together Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Anes Ceric (Bosnia Herzegovina UK Network), 1st Runner-Up: Charlie McNeil (The Active Wellbeing Society), Winner: Dawn Edwards (Erdington Litter Busters).
Environment Champion Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Soho Road BID CIC, 1st Runner-Up: St Giles Pantry Coventry (St Giles Trust), Winner: Heritage Seed Guardians (Garden Organic’s Heritage Seed Library).
Sports Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Warwickshire Cricket Foundation, 1st Runner-Up: Mohammed Abdul Hai (Bright Future Association), Winner: Saheli Hub.
Volunteer Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Kenneth Thomas Hyde (Special Olympics Sandwell), 1st Runner-Up: Sabrina Ffrench (NHS), Winner: Alvina Ali and the Secret Angels Volunteers (Secret Angels).
Good Neighbour Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Villa Cross Soup Kitchen, 1st Runner-Up: Jill Fraser (Kissing it Better), Winner: Beatric Imielska (Inclusive Life Projects).
Public Services Award: 2nd Runner-Up: A Better Tomorrow, 1st Runner-Up: Ruth Forecast (Malvern Welcomes), Winner: Caroline Phansi (Contento Social Homes).
Community Reassurance Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Jess Allan (Northfield Community Partnership), 1st Runner-Up: Dr. Md Arafatur Rahman (University of Wolverhampton), Winner: Inspector Hanif Ullah (West Midlands Police).
Health & Wellbeing Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Vision for All, 1st Runner-Up: Melody Bridges (Birmingham and Solihull ICB), Winner: Community Connexions (Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust).
*Education Services Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Zoe Bennett (Training Personified Ltd), 1st Runner-Up: Nimo Hirsi (SOS Education), Winner: Charlotte Maher-Butler & Hayley Turner (All Stars Senior Group).
Business & Enterprise Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Seven Stars Event Ltd, 1st Runner-Up: Susan Evans (Manor Farm Community Association), Winner: THIA CIA.
Community Organisation Award: 2nd Runner-Up: Halesowen/Dudley Yemeni Community Association, 1st Runner-Up: YMCA Sutton Coldfield, Winner: Nechells POD (SHINE@NechellsPOD).
Following the awards, a lavish dinner was served to the distinguished guests from both near and far.
Report by S M Irfan Tahir Photojournalist / Member National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Great Britain.
