Prosperity Café and the Ukrainian Social Club were among individuals, groups and businesses honoured at Richmond upon Thames' annual Community Heroes Awards.

The awards aim to highlight and celebrate those working and living in the borough who go above and beyond to make their community a better place to live, work and learn.

The event paid tribute to the more than 140 inspiring local heroes were nominated across ten categories. 

The Council's spokesperson for Communities, Equalities & the Voluntary Sector, Cllr Nancy Baldwin, said: "It has been wonderful to come together to recognise and celebrate all of our amazing, shortlisted nominees and their achievements.

"It's a privilege to live in a borough where we can see so many incredible examples of selfless service to others, and we are grateful for their continued contribution to our community.

"Congratulations to this year's shortlisted nominees and winners and thank you to all those who made submissions for their Community Heroes."

Council Leader, Cllr Gareth Roberts, who presented a special Leader's Award to The Ukrainian Social Club, said: "I am delighted that we have had a chance to recognise and celebrate the local effort to support those impacted by the war in Ukraine.

"Prosperity Café and the Ukrainian Social Club have had national recognition for the work they have done, but we feel very proud to recognise them here tonight, alongside all our other winners who do so much to improve the lives of those around them."

The winners:

Business Contribution in the Community

Prosperity Café & Restaurant for their vast support of Ukrainian refugees in the borough, turning their café into a donation hub and partnering with many members of the community to set up the Ukrainian Social Club, which provides critical support to those new to our borough and celebrates Ukrainian culture in Richmond.

Communities Together

Teddington Community Cafe for the work of volunteers to provide a safe space for people across the borough to enjoy new and old company, a warm drink and homemade treats, following periods of increased social isolation.

Community Group of the Year

GoodGym Richmond for the tireless work of volunteer runners, cyclists and walkers, who carried out hundreds of wide-ranging good deeds over countless hours within the community through 2022, as well as supporting day to day work and projects run by local groups and charities in the borough.

Community Project of the Year

Ruils & Cambridge Park Bowls Club for creating a positive and inclusive environment by partnering together to bring the sport of bowls to people who are disabled, have mental health challenges and are experiencing loneliness and isolation, which has helped members to learn new skills, make friends and share experiences.

Environmental Award

The Real Junk Food Project for their pioneer work in helping to reduce food waste and feed the community by collecting surplus food 7 days a week from local businesses, retailers, individuals and allotments and redistributing it back into the community, educating people along the way about the impact our food choices have on the environment.

Helping Hands

Theofanis Andrews for his efforts to, in his own time, develop the garden landscapes around Howorth House in East Sheen, providing a beautiful and uplifting space for the community to enjoy, cultivating all types of interesting plants and sharing his gardening knowledge with the community.

Lifetime Achievement

Christopher Bligh for over 18 years of volunteer service with the Whitton Network, including supporting hundreds of clients to hospital, dentist and GP appointments, setting up improved databases and automating processes and acting as a volunteer treasurer, ensuring the charity has continued to thrive amid difficult times.

Outstanding Volunteer

Rebecca Butler for her hard work bringing her enthusiasm for and knowledge of children's literature to hundreds of primary school children across the community, running many book clubs across the borough and instilling a love of reading in young people.

Trustee of the Year

Jane Kelly for her work as a Trustee at The Mulberry Centre, where she has volunteered for over 25 years, playing a key role in the launch of the charity and more recently building partnerships with local hospitals, businesses and community organisations, benefitting the lives of many local people affected by cancer.

Young Person Achievement

Caterina Bargioni for her inspiring work to launch and run a fundraising campaign, forging a partnership with the Richmond Foodbank and engaging her school and the wider community, ahead of Christmas, which provided over 150 individually wrapped presents and several pallets of festive sweet treats to local families with young children who were struggling with the rising cost of living

Read more about all of the amazing shortlisted nominees here – https://richmond.gov.uk/news/press_office/campaigns_and_events/community_heroes_awards/community_heroes_winners_nominees