Celebrating 50 years of Community Action – Dudley CVS AGM and Community Awards

Since 1974, Dudley CVS has worked alongside people, groups and organisations, fostering resilience, and nurturing positive change within our communities. During our AGM and Awards evening in October, we reflected on our journey and the countless stories that have shaped our legacy – a vibrant tapestry woven with the passion, dedication, and spirit of those groups and individuals who strive to make a positive difference in communities across the borough.

During the evening we also shined a spotlight on some of the excellent work our dedicated staff team did during 2023/24. You can read more about our 50 year journey in our annual report for 2023/24 here.

Youth Empowerment Award: Generation Impact

Generation Impact was honoured with the Youth Empowerment Award for their transformative work with young people. This organisation was highlighted for the opportunities and support it provides for young carers and young people who are struggling with their mental health or have a disability. These opportunities have enabled young people to gain valuable skills, build towards their educational goals, have a break from their everyday lives, and improve their mental well-being and confidence. Their support starts at an early age with baby and infant massage classes where parents can learn techniques to help them create a strong bond with their child through positive touch.

Their breakfast clubs and after-school clubs provide a safe place for children to be themselves and develop through nurture. Children are provided with a healthy breakfast before school and a nutritious meal after school. Children are encouraged to learn new skills and try new hobbies.

The person who nominated Generation Impact shared examples of how this small and very new organisation provided holistic support which not only increased opportunities for their children but also improved their quality of life.

Sporting Champion Award: Ren Shin Kan

Ren Shin Kan is an entirely volunteer-led group that improves the physical and mental wellbeing of the community through a range of sporting activities. We wanted to celebrate the winner of this award not only for the work it does but for working in the community since 1968, making them one of the West Midlands’ oldest Aikido dojos.

They provide a safe space for individuals of all ages and abilities to engage in a range of activities that are volunteer-led, including the practice of Aikido, Tai Chi, Pilates, and mindfulness. Based in Halesowen, their facilities are also available for use by other organisations and collaboration is really important to them. They are active in their locality and they have worked with organisations like Phase Trust and Active Black Country to provide sessions for disadvantaged communities.

Over the last 56 years, the club has seen many hundreds of people through its doors, and long may it continue to improve the health, wellbeing, and happiness of our communities. Congratulations on your very well-deserved Sporting Champion Award.

Animal Advocates Award: Ravens Rescue

The Animal Advocates Award honours the vital work being done to advocate for animals in need. It recognises the services and support provided across the Dudley Borough to protect, cherish and care for all animals.

Ravens Rescue took home the Animal Advocates Award for their tireless work in protecting and caring for animals in need.

Founded in 2012, this charity is made up entirely of dedicated and experienced volunteers who give round-the-clock support and care to animals that have fallen on hard times. From volunteer trustees to volunteer fundraisers, their charity shop volunteers, supporters, and volunteer animal foster carers, they all work together to offer a safe space for all animals, ensuring no healthy animals are put down while in their care. This organisation has been highlighted for providing support and care for animals with additional needs, particularly those that other rescues may not be able to help, as well as palliative care for dogs and cats in need.

Based in Dudley borough, this charity works all over the UK, providing sanctuary to unwanted, abused, and abandoned animals. All of the animals that arrive in the care of Ravens Rescue live in volunteer foster homes while they are being assessed and treated by vets. Once assessed and rehabilitated, Ravens Rescue helps animals find their forever homes in families that are matched to them.

The charity also wants to keep pets in their homes and offers help and support to people who may have to consider surrendering a pet to explore if a workable alternative can be found.

Cultural Connections Award: Apni Zaroorat Community Network

The Cultural Connections Award honours organisations that enhance Dudley borough’s cultural life. That may be through creating new community connections across diverse cultures, making arts and culture more accessible to everyone, or coming together to preserve, protect, and celebrate culture, heritage and art.

Apni Zaroorat Community Network is a charity that aims to improve the lives of women, young people, and their families.  Over the last 16 years, they have offered a vital package of services to women in Lye, Halesowen, Stourbridge, and Dudley who are disadvantaged due to cultural, racial, and gender barriers. The team has dedicated time to working with women, children, young people, and their families who want to improve their skills, access training, and take the opportunity to improve their lives.

The charity engages young people in purposeful activities to dissuade them from anti-social behaviour and criminal activity and learn about responsible citizenship. This youth work is a great place for young volunteers to get involved too, developing their skills and confidence in the process. Volunteers have been supported to run the youth group and as a result have built bridges and relationships of trust with the police, enabling more sensitive issues to be addressed.

Lifeline Award: Cadrene Supported Living

The Lifeline award recognises and honours the life-changing work carried out by organisations that support people who find themselves in crisis. This might include organisations that provide a refuge for people fleeing domestic violence, addiction support organisations, groups that help people experiencing poverty and insecure housing, mental health support groups, or organisations that support people in debt. These are all considered lifelines to the people who find themselves in challenging situations.

The Lifeline Award was awarded to Cadrene Supported Living, a relatively new charity that has made a big impact in a short space of time, offering non-judgemental support to anyone trying to get their life back on track. The volunteers at this organisation are recognised for how they help anyone who comes through their door, including those who are on the verge of becoming homeless, those who require food or clothing, or people who need help to claim or appeal benefits. While support is wrapped around the individual, based on their unique circumstances, everyone is welcome to the charity’s warm and hospitable hub with hot food and drinks, games, and company to help combat loneliness and isolation.

Cadrene Supported Living is dedicated to reducing poverty, social isolation and helping people regain a sense of purpose. The charity works with individuals to address any immediate needs, such as accessing food, clothing, or benefits, while supporting them longer term to build their confidence, unlock their talents, improve their resilience, and experience an improved quality of life

Health and Care Award: Bee Well Schools

The Health and Care Award celebrates the amazing work happening across the Dudley Borough to support the physical and mental wellbeing of local communities, shining a spotlight on activities and services that ensure individuals are supported through many different health challenges and stages of their life.

Bee Well Schools received the Health and Care Award for their groundbreaking work in children’s mental health education. They are recognised particularly for their educational mental health programme delivered in schools across the borough. This provides essential knowledge and practical tools that make a difference in children’s behaviours, emotional responses, and the management of their mental health.

The programme recognises the need for all children to have access to mental health education and creates a space where a positive learning experience can take place. Through this children can recognise, regulate, and validate their mental health.

Environmental Champion Award: Wild Earth Movement

The Environmental Champion Award highlights organisations and groups who have stepped up to champion the environment. From friends of parks groups to litter picking teams, groups that look after their local green space, and community recycling and repair schemes, these organisations offer creative activities, knowledge, and support to promote environmental protection and sustainability.

Wild Earth Movement was honoured with the Environmental Champion Award for their innovative and inclusive approach to environmental stewardship. From litter picks to plastic-free crafting, and educational sessions to waste-free children’s parties, this community group truly involves the whole community in caring for our planet. This organisation has a mission to include everybody. They are passionate about equality and diversity and want to break down whatever barriers stand in the way of people being able to connect with nature and our planet. The events run by this organisation attract individuals of all ages and have been recognised for making a difference to both the communities involved and the areas where they live.

Wild Earth Movement hosts all sorts of zero-waste, plastic-free events and activities. This includes community litter picks in our borough’s green spaces, eco-friendly children’s parties which are growing in popularity, and multiple plastic-free, sustainable markets that benefit smaller businesses. These events take place throughout the West Midlands and attract thousands of visitors.

The Strong Families Award recognises the vital work carried out by organisations to make a significant difference within their local communities. In particular, this award spotlights the valuable support, help, and care that strengthens families across the Dudley Borough.

The Abraham-Lindsay Longevity Award honours those organisations and groups that have made an enormous contribution to local communities over a significant period of time. It celebrates the enduring dedication of Dudley borough’s voluntary and community organisations and the people that steward them to enhance, nurture and support our communities.

The prestigious Abraham-Lindsay Longevity Award was presented to CHADD for its dedication to supporting vulnerable individuals. CHADD was selected for their substantial and long-standing support and the life-changing impact they have on some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community. They have been recognised as a safety net and lifeline for many thousands of people over a rich 46-year history.

With a rich history of providing refuge and support, CHADD’s holistic services have transformed countless lives. Their collaborative approach and commitment to young people and marginalized communities ensure a lasting legacy of compassion and resilience.

Founded by a local vicar and a probation officer in response to increasing levels of homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence to support people on the margins of society, this organisation established the first women’s refuge from domestic abuse in Dudley borough, the first homelessness service which became supported housing for young people. Our winner now provides emergency bed units available 24/7 in addition to good quality homes for young people, victims of domestic abuse, and their children, with facilities to encourage a sense of wellbeing, therapeutic recovery and aspirational goals. They now also provide specialist support for LGBTQ victims, older people as survivors of abuse, and a sanctuary community service.

Each year, 135 people fleeing domestic abuse and 220 children go through CHADD’s refuge accommodation and receive support. CHADD’s first job is to provide people with a place of safety and then to help them create a home and recover before moving on to independent housing in the community. Their flagship refuge service provides holistic and wrap-around support, enabling women and their children to find restoration after breaking the cycle of abuse.