Gateshead Award Nominees 2026
Find out more about the nominees in each category for the Gateshead Awards 2026.
Maureen Chaplin Sports Achiever of the Year
Music Group/Musician of the Year
Voluntary/Charitable Organisation of the Year
Business in the Community Award - sponsored by Metrocentre
Bibliotheca Magica - have created a welcoming space for everyone, offering events, activities and opportunities to bring people together. They offer activities based on niche interests, such as Dungeons and Dragons, helping engage with people who may not enjoy traditional community events and have created a space where neurodivergent people feel understood.
The Bute Arms - has worked hard to create a community feel amongst residents - working with local artists/florists to dress the pub, sharing information about other local businesses in the area, working with Go North East for the Santa bus, involves local musicians and took part in the advent calendar windows
Winlaton Handyman Shop - providing constant support within the local community, not just selling a wide range of products but providing excellent customer service and advice, helping people to save time and money. All of the staff go above and beyond to help their customers and meet their needs and contribute to local community groups.
Carer of the Year
Alice Aitken - Alice stepped in to care for her niece, whilst also supporting her autistic son, her older daughter and a full time job. Her niece has Arnold chiari malformation and when Alice started to care for her was underweight, unable to speak well, had a gastrostomy and was on oxygen overnight. Alice has ensured she is now much stronger and healthier with no gastrosomy or oxygen needed.
Bethany Dodgson - has not let her own health conditions preventing her from being a carer, helping to care for her mother and her brother as well as being great support to her grandfather, helping him go shopping and socialise with his peers. Despite working full time Bethany is also a trustee of the Young Carers trust and runs the Blue light charity at the Hilton.
Julie Hardie - Julie cares for her 6 year old daughter and also visits her son, who lives in residential accommodation due to his disability. Julie's daughter was diagnosed before she was four years old and Julie fights on a daily basis to help her overcome the issues she faces. Her daughter must be cared for 24/7 and Julie uses pictures to communicate with her daughter
Donna Pegram - cares for both her adult son and her teenage grandson, who she has cared for since birth, both of who have different things to deal with day to day. Despite extremely challenging circumstances and her own health issues, having been diagnosed with cancer, Donna has always put the boys first whilst also helping others in the community.
Maureen Chaplin Sports Achiever of the Year
Isabelle Fisher - a phenomenal rugby player who represents Houghton u18s and is part of the 6 Nations u18s England women's rugby squad. Isabelle continues to study sports and exercise science at Gateshead College and plays county cricket for Durham and Northumberland.
Preston Leech - despite not being a contracted player Preston has, over the last 12 months, been one of the first at Gateshead FC to volunteer to do community visits and helps to coach the junior team. He has managed his college education alongside his training programme and continues to give back to the club every chance he gets.
Josh White - as a member of Heworth Golf Club Josh, 18, has represented Heworth men in the North Durham Golf League, he also won the league Divisional Player of the Year award. Josh was selected to represent Durham County Junior Golf Union and, having now secured a scholarship at the University of Wyoming, is playing on a very competitive US College golf circuit.
Music Group/Musician of the Year
Gateshead Music Hub ensembles - have over 50 children regularly attend the ensembles and, despite funding pressures, have managed to keep attendance free so everyone is able to join. This not only gives access to high quality music making but is also a safe space for young people to socialise.
Kev the care home entertainer - visits care homes to entertain all of their residents and helps to organise the Christmas lights for his local community.
Whickham Wind Band - have grown in numbers and skills through hard work and dedication. They bring people together to share a love of music and also raise money through their performances. Everyone is welcome and people look forward to their Christmas and summer concerts.
Sports Club of the Year - sponsored by Gateshead FC
Felling Amateur Boxing Club - having refurbished a bingo hall, but keeping training going throughout the refurbishment, the boxing club have gone from strength to strength engaging with lots of young people and training a number of champions - most recently bringing home four gold, one silver and one bronze from the golden girls in Sweden.
Red Kite Runners - provides a safe, inclusive, welcoming space for runners of all abilities helping people to be confident and exceed their original goals. The club helps to reduce isolation, hold many community events and organise donations for the local foodbank. They have also set up a mental health first aid team.
Tyne United Rowing Club - Juniors have had incredible success over the last year fielding more competitors than ever before in regional competitions, winning the Bill Golightly trophy at the Durham Regatta and having crews competing at the British Rowing Club championships. The junior squad is also reaching more young people within local communities.
Tackling Climate Change
Chopwell Community Food Growers - have transformed a community allotment - donating produce to the Chopwell Centenary community meal, the local community café or auctioning it to raise funds. Have also organised the purchase of items to encourage people to grow their own food at home and have set up a food preservation project rescuing food from the bin in a variety of ways and composting 2400 of compostable vegetables.
Derwent Valley Car Club - provides transport, through electric vehicles, to help those with limited access to public transport to attend health appointments, social engagements and for practical needs such as shopping. They are also representing views in relation to mobility in this area.
Hope Beyond Borders - provides essential support to vulnerable families, refugees, asylum seekers and low-income households. Giving advice on grants, housing, access to health services, translation services and helping people get access to essential household items, they also help with talks about the consequences of climate change, workshops using vegetarian food and how to re-use fabric/second hand clothing.
Voluntary/Charitable Organisation of the Year
Birkheads Wild - provide sessions for young people which ensure a safe nurturing environment so young people can thrive outdoors. The environment provided allows young people, particularly those with mental health issues or special needs, to learn at their own pace in a relaxing outdoor setting.
Brysons Animal Shelter - a lifeline for animals in Gateshead, taking them in when they can't be looked after, feeding them and providing veterinary care. Around 300 animals are rehomed each year. From caring for the animals, helping people be responsible pet owners, offering volunteering opportunities and being a lifeline when pet owners are in crisis the shelter is a safe place for animals who will help them find a good home.
Out North East - has delivered high impact work for the LGBTQ+ community, whilst also arranging inclusive community events, such as Pride in Gateshead and the Emerald 55 exhibition. This year the ONE Centre has opened, the region's first LGBTQ+ hub of its kind, which is not only a safe welcoming space but somewhere that advice, support and social connection is readily available.
Wardley Wombles - have transformed overgrown land on public footpaths, planted flowers and shrubs, created a garden of Remembrance, removed litter and organised different community events to help people take pride in their local area and encourage everyone to love where they live.
Volunteer of the Year - sponsored by Crossling Plumbers
Hakan Akarli - through NEDES Hakan has helped to support disadvantaged families, established the Saturday School and helps families to access education, volunteering opportunities and community activities. As a Gateshead Community Bridge builder he has helped different organisations work together more effectively strengthening community connections.
Lindsay Blair - created a breastfeeding support group, which has enabled new mothers to have support and create friendships. Boob club takes place each week and welcomes hundreds of mothers and babies throughout the year ensuring they have the right support from like-minded women who may have faced similar emotional difficulties.
Leslie Burns - as chair of the Eighton Banks Village Hall Les has arranged various events to bring people within the local community together, such as the Christmas social meal and afternoon tea.He looks after the website and social media and has been working to extend the kitchen to make it more user friendly.
P Burn - runs Smug Club - an informal running club for anyone who wants to walk/run before work or the school run in the company of others. For those who want to this is followed by a drink in a local coffee shop. Helping to address social isolation, build friendships, get people out in the fresh air and nature the club has gone from strength to strength. Paula also regulalry volunteers with Red Kites.
Young Achiever of the Year
Kacie Burns - having started as an apprentice in business admin, Kacie became a job coach and joined the board of directors for Gateshead Community Organisation. She uses her lived experience of mental health challenges to support others with empathy and insight.
Krystal Howlett - is passionate about supporting young people, with empathy. She volunteers at the Young Women's Outreach project, is a peer researcher at Youth Focus North East, is researching health inequalities for young people in Gateshead and has become a sessional youth worker.
Wardley Primary Vex Robotics - a group of four children who competed in the 2025 VEX Robotics competition, making it all the way to the worlds in Dallas. The group competed in multiple competitions, locally, nationally and internationally and had to help raise funds for thei trip.