We're proud to announce our finalists this year:

Best Newcomer Award
Sponsored by Sugarich

• Northants Litter Wombles
• African Youth Arise
• Blisworth Friendship Group

Trailblazer Award
Sponsored by Novacroft

• Chiral Communities
• Sound Foundation Early Intervention Psychotherapy Hub CIC
• Wriggle Dance Theatre
• 60 Miles by Road or Rail

Brilliant Group Award
Sponsored by University of Northampton

• The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation
• Renew169 Wellbeing Café
• Late Developers Photographic Group
• Power of the Mind Networks
• Dancemind

Edge Award
Sponsored by Bambino Mio

• KidsAid Foundation
• Community Court Yard
• Citizens Advice Daventry and District
• C2C Social Action

Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by Wilson Browne

• Daylight Centre
• Fermynwoods Contemporary Arts
• Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire
• Deep Roots Tall Trees

The awards also includes the Lady Juliet Townsend Award for Volunteering, the High Sheriff's Initiative Fund Award and The Inspirational Women's Annual Award, a category run in partnership with Avon.

Each award category aims to shine a light on the work, commitment and contribution of the voluntary and community sector to the local community.

CEO Rachel McGrath said: “We are absolutely delighted to be holding our Annual Awards for the first time in three years. The Awards Evening provides the foundation with an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the amazing work of local charities and community groups across our county and say a heartfelt thank you to our generous donors and partners who make the good work taking place across Northamptonshire possible.”

“The evening will honour local groups and unsung heroes as well as shine a spotlight on the extraordinary impact they are having to address a range of local concerns and social issues from tackling poverty to supporting good health and well-being and building safe and sustainable communities. Many of our nominees have been supporting our most vulnerable residents throughout the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis. Their work has never been so vital and it is important that they receive the recognition they deserve."

Awards 2019

Our last Annual Awards in 2019 received some excellent feedback from our guests. Here's what they had to say:

"I was totally gobsmacked when my name was called out for the Lady Juliet Townsend Award, such an honour. A big thank you to all who were involved in organising and presenting such an awe inspiring evening." Candice Sinnett, Kettering Community Unit & Winner of the Lady Juliet Townsend Award for Volunteering

"On behalf of TTN, I'd just like to say a big thank you to all at NCF and I look forward to another successful year for you. We don't know what the people of the County would do without the work of the groups you support." David Garlick, Transition Town Northampton

"As always, the NCF Awards Ceremony was inspiring. The most inspiring was Victoria's speech - you've done a great job." Charles Fox, Friend of the Foundation member

"I had a really good evening, really inspiring to hear all the stories and amazing work being done, and great to meet a few people including a couple from your team. A fantastic event, I'm really grateful that I could join." Ian Smith, UK Community Foundations

"All those nominated for ‘The Lifetime Achievement’ Award category showed fantastic commitment to serving the community. SERVE Rushden was a wonderful winner, whose work since the 1980s to support so many people in retaining their independence and helping them remain in their own homes has made such a difference. They are a great team, a great bunch of volunteers and another great news story that we need to let everyone in Northamptonshire know about. Wilson Browne Solicitors were delighted to support these awards again, as we have in previous years, and we look forward to continuing our association with NCF." Ed Rawlins, Wilson Browne Solicitors

"Eden Park is a truly unique community group, providing safe housing and ongoing parenting support for vulnerable families in need. They were more than worthy winners of the hotly contested Edge Award category which recognises ‘a group tackling a difficult or challenging issue effectively’ and we were thrilled to see their efforts recognised on the night. Congratulations also to the other nominated finalists in Northamptonshire Search & Rescue, Northamptonshire Crimestoppers and Youth Works Northamptonshire." Luke McAffee, Cave & Sons Ltd.