Time2Volunteer Awards 2026: Finalists Announced & Tickets Now Available

The wait is over! We are delighted to announce the finalists for the Time2Volunteer Awards 2026, celebrating the incredible volunteers, community groups and organisations that make a lasting difference across the Humber region.

This year, we received an exceptional number of nominations, each telling an inspiring story of kindness, commitment and community spirit. Every nomination highlighted the remarkable impact that volunteers have on the lives of others, and our judges were incredibly impressed by the standard of entries received.

While we are excited to celebrate our finalists, they represent just a small part of the thousands of volunteers who generously give their time throughout Hull, East Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire. Whether they're supporting local charities, coaching community sports, protecting our environment, tackling loneliness, organising events or helping neighbours in need, volunteers are at the heart of stronger, happier communities.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our valued partners – Hull CVS, City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP), East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council – whose continued support helps make the Time2Volunteer Awards possible.

A huge thank you also goes to our generous sponsors: Active Humber, Umber Creative, Transwaste, Mitsubishi Chemical UK, MADL, Jane Brooks Law, KCOM, Smailes Goldie, Forrester Boyd and Eltherington. Your support enables us to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary contribution volunteers make across our region.

We are also incredibly grateful to our panel of judges, who gave their time and expertise to carefully review each nomination and select this year's finalists. Choosing a shortlist was no easy task, and every nomination reflected the passion and dedication of our local volunteering community.

Join us to celebrate

The Time2Volunteer Awards are a chance to come together and recognise the people whose kindness, generosity and dedication make our communities thrive. Whether you're supporting a finalist, representing an organisation or simply want to celebrate volunteering, we'd love you to join us for this special occasion.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 7 October 2026

Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Hull

Tickets: £20 per person (includes a welcome drink and sparkling light lunch)

To book your tickets email: awards@heysmilefoundation.org 

Congratulations to all of this year's finalists and thank you to every volunteer who was nominated. Your dedication, compassion and commitment make an incredible difference every single day.

Time2Volunteer Awards 2026 Finalists

Active and Sports Volunteer Award

Phoenix FC

William Wilson

Stuart Fynn

Behind The Scenes Volunteer Award 

James Gartshore - LetsTechTogether

Kay Page - Oldroyd's Corner Yorkshire CIC

Bruce Parkin - Southern Holderness Resource Centre

Ally English - Fitmums and Friends

Environmental Volunteer Award

Karyn Murby - Whole Team - Molescroft Wildlife Network

Antoinette Bamurange - Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation

Victoria Whitfield - Mid-Week Task Volunteer - The Conservation Volunteers Hull & Humber

Founding Volunteer Award

Sue Connor - Voices of Weighton

Lynne Maskill - Second Friends - HER Breast Friends

Ryan Gardiner - A Shining Light

Samantha Catanach - Chasing Rainbows Charity

Good Neighbour Volunteer Award

Christopher Palmer

Chloe Hart

Tim Potter - The Hinge Centre

Inclusive Volunteer Award

Pam Lawson

John Rutherford - Mires Beck, Special Stars Foundation, St Paul's Boxing Academy, FiND, Downright Special

Eunice Gatura - Refugee Council

Long-Serving Volunteer Award

Stuart Robinson - Hull and East Yorkshire Mind

David Howarth - Chair, Carers Advisory Group (CAG)

Andy Forsey - Hull & East Yorkshire Children's University

Older Volunteer Award

Maureen Mulligan - Welcome House

Pauline Young - Humber Wellbeing Hub CIC and Skidby Village Hall

Rene James - Sight Support HEY

Volunteer Team Award

Valued Minds - Space2BHeard CIC

Chelsey Dalee and Dawn Thompson - Mysterious Minds

Jane Dickinson - One Stop Volunteers, Salvation Army

Volunteer Trustee Award

Rajwant Kaur Singh - Concrete Youth

Janet Adamson - Hull & East Yorkshire Children's University

Corrina Matthews - Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation

Young Volunteer Award

Deborah Chidera Arikibe - Youth Aspire Connect Organisation

Quinn Watt - Platform Provision

Ellie White - Women's Fitness, Youth Programmes and Community Events, The Peel Project CIC