Caerphilly Volunteering Awards 2026
Every year, our Volunteering Awards celebrate the incredible people across our four counties who give their time and energy to help others. We're delighted to announce this year's Caerphilly finalists!
Scroll down to see this year’s finalists, photo gallery and find graphics to share the news on your socials!
This year, we received 122 nominations across 11 award categories.
With so many inspiring stories and examples of volunteering to read through, our independent judging panel had the difficult task of selecting two finalists in each category.
We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a volunteer, and to all the volunteers whose hard work and dedication inspired those nominations.
We're delighted to announce this year's finalists!
Meet Our Finalists:
(Finalists are listed in no particular order)
Community Advocate Award
Sparrows ALN - WINNER
Founded eight years ago, Sparrows ALN Group brings families of children with disabilities and additional learning needs together. From steam train trips to swimming sessions and days out, the group creates opportunities for families who might otherwise struggle to access them.
Julie Lees – Pontlottyn Boys and Girls Club
Julie has spent 25 years as Chair of Pontlottyn Boys & Girls Club, helping keep an important local facility open and providing activities ranging from skateboarding to karate. Although she has stepped back from the Chair role, she remains involved with the club.
Culture & Heritage Award
Jessica McCabe – Cwmcarn Institute Book Nook
Jessica created the Book Nook, a pay-what-you-can community bookshop in a former library space at Cwmcarn Institute. The project has given hundreds of books a second life, made reading more accessible and introduced community book clubs.
Dean Summers – Rec Rock
Dean supports RecRock's live events, managing equipment and providing sound engineering. He also helps with youth projects, sharing his technical knowledge and encouraging young people to develop their skills.
Environmental Award
Theresa Heal – Ynys Hywel Allotment Volunteers
Theresa helps run Ynys Hywel Farm, where people can learn practical growing skills, gardening and wildlife conservation. The group also works with schools and the wider community to protect the area's rare waxcap fungi.
Uniform Exchange
Caerphilly Uniform Exchange collects and redistributes new and pre-loved school uniforms, sportswear and clothing. The group helps families save money while giving thousands of items a second life and reducing textile waste.
Family Champion Award
Crafting for Charities
This group turns crafting into fundraising, creating handmade items and donating 100% of the proceeds to local charities and organisations. To date, its volunteers have raised and donated nearly £20,000.
Ceri Jenkins – Bridging the Gap (Caerphilly Parents Network)
Ceri is involved with Bridging the Gap, a peer support group for parents and carers of neurodiverse children. The group connects families, brings services and professional advice into the community and gives parents a space to share experiences.
Food Sustainability Award
Ryan Hyde – Caerphilly Food Bank
Ryan combines two roles as Foodbank Manager and Youth Leader at Connect Life Church. He helps coordinate food support for people facing hardship while also supporting young people through mentoring, activities and opportunities to develop new skills.
St David's Community Cafe & Pantry – Rhymney
The volunteers redistribute surplus food through their community pantry, helping reduce food waste while making affordable food accessible to local people. Their café also provides low-cost meals and a place for people to meet and connect.
Health & Wellbeing Award
Cariad Davies – Woodchill
Cariad founded Woodchill CIC, creating accessible nature-based activities to support people's wellbeing. Through outdoor experiences, local partnerships and funded places, Woodchill helps people connect with nature regardless of their financial circumstances.
Caffi'r Ffynnon – Argoed Church Cafe
Set up by Argoed Chapel, Caffi'r Ffynnon provides affordable food and a place for local people to meet. Situated alongside the Valleys cycle route, the café has grown into a regular meeting place for residents, walkers and cyclists.
Inspirational Young Person Award
Rees Powell – Caerphilly People First
Rees volunteers at Caerphilly People First, helping run its weekly cookery group, from preparing ingredients to supporting activities. He also travels independently and is developing his Maths and English skills at Oxford House.
Gwen Rogers – Caerphilly Miners Centre
Gwen has volunteered at the Caerphilly Miners Centre since she was 15. She supports the Early Years Group, which welcomes around 15 families, and helps develop creative activities for young people at the Youth Drop-In.
Inspirational Journey Award
Jessica Newnes – TLC Cafe
Jessica supports individuals and families through her work with TLC Community Café and Ty Sign Families. She helps organise practical support, community activities and volunteering opportunities that bring local people together.
Coral Williams – Tirphil Community Centre
Coral has transformed Tirphil Community Centre into a busy local hub, securing funding, organising activities and managing the community shop. She has also developed its garden, with raised beds and produce shared with local residents.
Most Innovative Social Enterprise Award
Therapaws Wellbeing
Based in Bedwas, Therapaws Wellbeing Hub provides non-clinical support for people experiencing loneliness, anxiety, bereavement and isolation. Its activities include group sessions, one-to-one support and time with its wellbeing dogs.
Salvaged Creations CIC – I Make
Salvaged Creations runs woodworking workshops for young people and families across Caerphilly. Its youth provision in Markham offers activities at little or no cost, helping young people develop practical skills and confidence.
Sports & Leisure Award
Julie Boyce – Caerphilly Castle FC
Caerphilly Castle Football Club creates opportunities for girls and women to get involved in football. Alongside its teams, the club works with local schools to provide free sessions and runs activities that encourage participation both on and off the pitch.
Tomos Parker
Tomos plays wheelchair rugby with Aber Valley Wolves and Cardiff Blue Dragons, and has progressed to the Midlands Hurricanes championship team. His performances have also earned him selection for the Wales select side.
Trustee & Director Award
Mary Liverick - Helping Hands
Mary has volunteered with Helping Hands for 16 years, progressing from charity shop volunteer to Trustee and Chair. She continues to volunteer at the shop twice a week, supporting services for seriously ill residents across the Upper Rhymney Valley.
Hayley Thomas – HCT
Hayley founded HCT, supporting homeless and vulnerable people across Caerphilly, Newport and Torfaen. The team helps arrange emergency accommodation, provide regular meals and offer practical advice and advocacy.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
HIGH SHERIFF OF GWENT'S AWARD – Jessica Newnes | Ty Sign Families
A special congratulations to Jessica Newnes of Ty Sign Families, recipient of the High Sheriff's Award, personally selected by the High Sheriff of Gwent! 👏
Jessica goes above and beyond to support local families through food support, community meals, family activities and wellbeing projects. Her kindness, encouragement and ability to bring people together have helped tackle isolation and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued.
A wonderful recognition of someone whose everyday dedication makes such a difference.
HIS MAJESTY'S LORD-LIEUTENANT OF GWENT AWARD – Jessica McCabe | Cwmcarn Institute and Library
A huge congratulations to Jessica McCabe of Cwmcarn Institute and Library, recipient of His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent Award 2026! 👏
After transforming an underused former library into the Book Nook, Jessica has created a space where people can access affordable books, discover reading groups and connect with others. Her initiative also promotes reuse and helps secure the future of an important community building.
A fantastic recognition of the difference one person's vision and dedication can make.
Share the News!
We've created graphics in different formats for you to share on your social media or website and let everyone know you're a finalist! Simply click on the formats you need and download them directly from our website to share with your friends, family and supporters.
Volunteering Awards Photo Gallery
