Blackburn Community Volunteer Awards: who wins on 5 November?: key details

Politics Desk 2026-10-06 14:01 3 min read

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From Scout groups and hospice volunteers to community fridges and youth organisations, Blackburn with Darwen’s volunteering network will take centre stage at the Community Volunteer Awards 2026. The finalists have been revealed after more than 400 nominations, with winners to be named on Thursday 5 November 2026 at King George’s Hall in Blackburn.

The presentation evening will celebrate shortlisted individuals and groups from across the borough, giving finalists and community members a date to mark. The council’s announcement does not specify a start time, admission price, booking arrangements, public-entry conditions, transport or accessibility details; it should not be taken as confirmation of free or unrestricted entry.

A November evening at King George’s Hall

Community CVS and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council organised the judging in partnership. The panel met on Thursday 10 September and included representatives from all event sponsors, according to Blackburn with Darwen Council News, which published the shortlist on 1 October.

The November ceremony is the next confirmed milestone: the shortlist identifies those in contention, while the presentation evening will reveal the winners. Recognition extends across individual volunteers, organised groups, young people and those nominated for lifetime achievement.

Garth Hodgkinson, Chief Executive of Community CVS, described the range and quality of nominations as inspiring and thanked those who put forward an individual, group or organisation. He said the evening would celebrate finalists’ commitment and their contribution to communities across the borough.

Council leader Councillor Phil Riley also welcomed the response, highlighting the time and energy volunteers give to supporting others. His comments place the nominees’ everyday contributions at the centre of the occasion.

Blackburn Community Volunteer Awards: who wins on 5 November?: key details

The finalists across the borough

The published shortlist brings together people working through local charities, community projects, shops, youth services and voluntary organisations. For readers following a particular nominee, these are the names listed in each section:

People — Individual: Olive Bolton — Girl Guides Darwen; Luca Morini — SEND Youth Voice Forum; Graham Neild — Blackburn Districts Scouts.
People — Group: Age UK BwD; Darwen Ducks; East Lancs Hospice Creative & Support Therapies Volunteers.
Prosperity — Individual: Paulina Blasczak — Darwen Kindness Younited; Lisa Brabook — No.1 Coffee Shop; Susan Marsh — Shelter.
Prosperity — Group: Bam UK; Maggie’s Community Fridge; No1 Coffee Shop.
Planet — Individual: Maryam Abdulrashid — BwD Recycle Campaign; Sarah Muir — Shadsworth Community; Fiona Taylor — Darwen Kindness Younited.
Planet — Group: Canalside Activity & Environment Centre; East Lancs Hospice Darwen Shop; Rummage Rescuers.
Peace — Individual: Hina Ashfaq — BwD Carers Service; Rob Freedman — MMA; Naseem Khan — UCTV.
Peace — Group: Blackburn Magistrates Witness Service; Rummage Rescuers; Orange Button Volunteers of Blackburn with Darwen.
Place — Individual: Joanne Bates — No. 1 Coffee Shop; Stephen Bates — No. 1 Coffee Shop; Lisa Johnson — St James Community Centre.
Place — Group: Brama Group; Mill Hill Festival; Veterans Living Museum.
Participation — Individual: Lawrence Ashworth — Blackburn District Scouts; Fiona Dunn — Belmont Morris Dancers; Adam Esat — Blackburn Youth Zone.
Participation — Group: Blackburn District Scouts; BwD Police Amateur Boxing Club; St Francis Scouts.
Young Person: Scott Dingle — No. 1 Coffee Shop; Adam Esat — Blackburn Youth Zone; Ben Stubbs — Immanuel Scout Group.
Lifetime Achievement: Paddy Holden — Victim Support; Margaret Jepson — Samaritans; Eileen Walsh — BwD Girl Guiding.

Several names appear in more than one section. Adam Esat is shortlisted for both Participation — Individual and Young Person, while Rummage Rescuers appears in the Planet and Peace group shortlists.

Three further honours will be revealed on the night

The announcement leaves three honours for the presentation evening itself: Volunteer of the Year, Group of the Year and the CVS Special Award for Outstanding Service.

For finalists and community members planning around the ceremony, the confirmed appointment is Thursday 5 November 2026 at King George’s Hall, Blackburn. All three additional honours will be announced that evening.

Source: Blackburn with Darwen Council News

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The preview uses the supplied council announcement for the ceremony date, venue, shortlist and awards still to be revealed.

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The source states Thursday 5 November 2026 and King George’s Hall as the ceremony date and...
Finalists and their associated organisations were checked against the supplied shortlist.
Volunteer of the Year, Group of the Year and the CVS Special Award are reserved for announ...
Unspecified attendance and travel arrangements are identified together without assuming fr...

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