All the winners of the Mayor’s Community Awards 2017 are pictured with the Mayor, Councillor Brian Bloomfield MBE; Gary Wilson and Rhonda Frew, Community Development Officer.

Seventy two volunteers and voluntary organisations from across the Lisburn Castlereagh area were recognised at the recent Mayor’s Community Awards held in the La Mon Hotel.

Guests included the Queen’s Representative, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim, Freddie Hall OBE DL, along with representatives from the Council`s partner organisations in the awards, Volunteer Now, the Education Authority and the South East Health & Social Care Trust. Musical entertainment was provided by the very talented Belfast Community Gospel Choir and the compére for the evening was Gary Wilson from the British Heart Foundation.

The Mayor’s Community Awards acknowledged all nominees with a certificate of recognition for their invaluable contribution within our communities. The following category winners also received a trophy:

• Brian MacDowell Life-Long Commitment Award

Robert Rea, Brooklands Youth Centre

• Young Champion of the Year Award

Matthew Cooper, Dromara Youth Group

• Team Spirit Award

Lisburn & Castlereagh Citizens Advice

• Arts & Culture Award

Peter Johnston, Moneyreagh Community Association

• Bringing Communities Together Award

Adrian Bird, Resurgam Trust

• Fundraiser of the Year Award

Steven Thompson

• Community Impact Award

Cedar Inclusion Matters

• Office Bearer Award

Julie-Ann Jackson, Seymour Hill & Conway Residents Group

The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Brian Bloomfield MBE, speaking about the event, said: “All our nominees, nominators and guests enjoyed the evening and I was very pleased to host this event which acknowledged the outstanding work undertaken by the voluntary sector in the Lisburn Castlereagh area. 

“The Scheme was refreshed this year to recognise the hard work and dedication of all those working within our communities, as well as those who give up their time to volunteer.  It is the selfless work of these individuals and organisations that help to build communities and make the lives of people of all ages better.

“It has been inspirational to see the amount of work that goes on within our communities and the valuable, constructive impacts that these deeds have had across so many areas of need throughout the Council area,” concluded Mayor Bloomfield.

This year the Council received nominations from all different sectors within in the Lisburn Castlereagh area including: community, health and well-being, active lifestyles, faith based, education, counselling and listening, environmental, conservation, supporting people with disabilities, women’s, men’s and youth groups, arts, sports and music.

The Mayor thanked the Council’s partners the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Volunteer Now and the Education Authority for their input to the Awards which demonstrated great inter-agency working.

Councillor Tim Morrow, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, speaking about the awards scheme, said: “The Council operates this Awards scheme through its Community Services Section to give back to volunteers within the Council area and to publicly acknowledge all the good work they do either at home or in the community.  Without these unsung heroes there is a lot of valuable work that would not take place in the Lisburn Castlereagh area and it is a privilege for the Council to honour the dedication of volunteers.”

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is looking forward to the 2018 Mayor’s Community Awards.