The Bristol Social Impact Awards is an evening celebrating the incredible organisations, projects and people making a difference across Bristol’s VCSE sector.
We awarded 12 trophies and countless certificates recognising outstanding contributions to our communities.
A message from Rebecca - CEO of Voscur
“We are aiming to shine a light on to the incredible people across Bristol who are driving forward real change for their communities and the city. It is important that we celebrate how powerful our communities here in Bristol are, to recognise the unimaginable dedication and commitment that everyone who has been nominated gives to better our society."
Our winners are...
The Partnership Award
Supported by the University of Bristol, recognises excellence in partnership working and celebrates collaborative leadership from social purpose organisations in the sector.
Won by BXCellence CIC!
BXCellence is recognised particularly for its collaborative partnership working with schools, prisons, community, and local authorities to provide trusted tailored training, support, mentoring, and advice and guidance.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on Common Ambition Bristol, Bristol Play and Youth Alliance, and Brigstowe.
The Environmental Award
Supported by the Society of Merchant Venturers, is for a social purpose organisation that has either taken actions to contribute to the target of a carbon neutral Bristol by 2030 or supported collective climate action in their community or city-wide.
Won by Sparks Bristol!
Sparks is being celebrated for its community efforts to bring sustainable shopping and environmental education to the city; for catalysing a movement for change in the high street, and for regenerating the building into an inclusive hub for creatives and diverse communities alike.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on Avon Needs Trees and, Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership.
The Batook Pandya Award for Inclusion
In memory of Batook Pandya MBE, founder of SARI, is for a social purpose organisation that recognises, promotes, and celebrates inclusion.
Won by St Pauls Carnival CIC!
The Carnival not only celebrates the legacy of African Caribbean arts and culture, bringing people together from St Pauls, the wider city, region, and nationwide – it is also recognised for being inclusive in its practice as an employer, as well as through all its community work and events.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on Better Biliengual CIC and Latinas in Bristol CIC.
The Lorraine Bush Award for Resilience
In memory of Lorraine Bush, one of the founders and former CEO of Hawkspring, is for an organisation that has demonstrated inspiring resilience.
Won by Mothers for Mothers!
Mothers for Mothers provide support to women and their families with maternal mental health and emotional wellbeing needs. They are celebrated for showing resilience in their service delivery and managing to extend their support network – particularly recently through a demanding period of unexpected growth following the closure of another charity.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on Postscript 360 and Spring of Hope.
The Bristol Innovation Award
Supported by Burges Salmon, recognises organisations leading innovative new approaches to tackling poverty and inequality in our city.
Won by SLEEC!
Survivors Leading Essential Education and Change (SLEEC) is a survivor-run organisation that changes conversation, supports survivors of rape and sexual violence, and is celebrated for their groundbreaking work striving to dismantle the roots of male violence.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on Esprit Concrete and Sparks Bristol.
The Volunteer of the Year Award
Celebrating individuals who have made a notable difference through their volunteer work in the community.
Won by Kyle!
Kyle joined Hartcliffe Club for Young People at the start of 2023 and is particularly recognised for supporting other children, and for his work to support the club’s “awakeathon” fundraising event for a homelessness charity.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on Ilyas who is a dedicated member of the Youth Board at Integrate UK, and Jasmine, known for supporting Springfield Allotment in Knowle, and We Are More afterschool club.
The Young Community Leader Award
Supported by City of Bristol College, is for a young person or group of young people that have made a difference in their community
Won by Youth Opinions!
The Youth Opinions group, a project of Youth Moves, are recognised for their amazing volunteering to ensure young people in South Bristol have a voice in the services they receive.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on Fun 4 Families UK; Ava, Chelsea, Konnie, Shayna. And Mariama for her activism work at Integrate UK.
The Cost-of-Living Crisis Response Award
Recognises an organisation that has taken unprecedented action and shown adaptability to respond to the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis.
Won by Mamas Bristol!
Mamas Bristol are recognised for their initiatives to meet the needs of the community – providing advice and signposting support, hosting free or low-cost fun and community events, and redistributing supermarket surplus, among other activities.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on Fun 4 Families UK and BS13 Cooking Club.
The Good Governance Award
Recognises social purpose organisations going above and beyond to implement great governance and celebrates the impact that this has on their sustainability.
Won by The Bridge Foundation!
Local leaders in mental health for over 40 years, The Bridge Foundation are recognised for their strong and innovative governance, through, for example, a Joint Leadership Model and an effective Diversified Income Model.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on Ara Recovery for All and Bristol Women’s Voice.
The Inspirational Community Leader Award
For an individual who has made a difference in the community, or the whole city, through volunteering, campaigning, or leading others to make a difference to our community life in Bristol.
Won by Michelle Meredith!
Described as an unsung hero of community support and inclusion, Michelle has worked tirelessly to support her community through her work with BSWN, St Pauls Learning Centre, Malcolm X, and Babbasa. Her values of fairness, integrity and equity shine through to demonstrate her commitment to communities in need of her help.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on Judith Davis and Desmond Brown.
The Equity and Diversity Award
For an organisation in the VCSE sector that has embedded equitable approaches throughout its strategy and delivery to achieve better diversity.
Won by WECIL’s Access and Inclusion Team!
Nominated for their innovative and unique contribution to equity and diversity in the city, WECIL’s Access and Inclusion Team, known as WAIT, is a team of disabled volunteers who selflessly give up their time to improve the accessibility of Bristol and the surrounding areas.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on ADHD Bristol Collective and South Bristol Youth.
The Team of the Year Award
Supported by KPMG, celebrates a team in a VCSE sector organisation that works exceptionally well together, for the benefit of the people and communities they aim to help.
Won by Family and Friends BS13!
Family and Friends BS13 is celebrated for all the efforts that they make to bring community together in BS13 and welcoming new people moving to the area. They organise events and support activities that enable members to be confident, allowing them to discover and improve their own skills and assets to share with the community.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on the Assessment and Triage Team at Bristol Law Centre and Mothers for Mothers.
