Last Thursday evening over 150 guests attended a gala dinner to celebrate Barnet’s community heroes. Now in its eighth year the Barnet Group Community Awards ceremony was held at the Sangam Centre, and guests included nominees, sponsors, as well as board members and staff of The Barnet Group, with awards being presented by the Mayor of Barnet, Tony Vourou.

This year saw an incredible 49 nominations submitted by Barnet Homes and Opendoor Homes residents, staff, voluntary and community partners from across Barnet who wanted to acknowledge those who have made a positive impact in their communities.

Elliott Sweetman, Interim CEO of The Barnet Group said, “It is with great pride and joy that I present this year’s outstanding nominations and share the inspiring stories of the remarkable individuals and groups that make up our Barnet community. 2024 was a year of resilience and growth. Despite the ongoing challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis and a rapidly changing world, our community continues to thrive. The true strength of Barnet lies in its diversity and its ability to come together as one. These nominations are a testament to the incredible people who embody the spirit of unity and determination that defines our community.

The Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Tony Vourou said, “I’d like to thank all the volunteers – you do a tremendous job. I’m a great believer in community work, and everybody in this room wants to be here because you feel you want to make a difference in your community. Well done!”

The winners are:

  • Good Neighbour – Margaret Lacey
  • Community Project of the Year – Barnet Dementia-Friendly Walking Football Team
  • Community Group of the Year – Green Man Management Group
  • Voluntary Sector Group or Charity of the Year – Unitas Youth Zone
  • Young Volunteer of the Year (under 25) – Maryam Omer Ali
  • Volunteer of the Year (over 25) -Kelly Hui
  • Contactor Social Value and Customer Service Award – Vallectric

And finally, thank you to our contractors, without whose incredible support this event would have not been possible.