A charity supporting adults with disabilities, mental health problems and dementia scooped the top prize at this year’s Kent Charity Awards.

Spadework, based in Offham, near Maidstone, was awarded Kent Charity of the Year for its incredible work helping those in the local community.

In a ceremony held at Hollingbourne’s Mercure Hotel on Thursday, September 21, Kris Healey, CEO of Spadework, accepted the award on behalf of the charity.

During the acceptance speech, Kris said: “The powerful thing about this fabulous sector is the impact that we make to the lives of those we serve. The amazing thing about the Kent Charity Awards is the huge platform it provides to help shine a light on how vital the work that we do is. The charity sector is so hard right now, constantly having to deliver more, with less.

“As I look around the room there is more that unites us than divides us, but if we keep experiencing these devastating cuts then many of the fabulous charities in this room won’t be here next year. To councils and founders please support our charities, please help us to continue helping people to be more independent, feel less isolated and live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives.”

The awards, which are in their eighth year, also recognised the work of both large and small organisations from across the county in a number of categories.

The categories included Animal and Environment, Disability and Mental Health, Children’s, Trustees and Volunteers.

This year’s Volunteer of the Year for a Small Charity was awarded to Emma Thomas from the Hygiene Bank in Medway, while Bradley Russell from Porchlight received the award in the Large Charity category.

Clive Reddihough from Hi Kent, a Maidstone-based charity helping deaf and hard of hearing people, was the recipient of the Trustee of the Year award.

Upon winning the award, Clive said: “I’m delighted to be the winner of Trustee of the Year, very proud to be Chair of the Trustees for Hi Kent and of all the amazing work they do in helping the deaf and hard of hearing in Kent.”

This year, three special awards were also presented at the ceremony.

The Judges’ Special Recognition Award was handed to Francis Osei-Appiah from Reform, Restore, Respect.

Francis, who spent nine years in prison for gang-related crime, has spent his time since being released giving back to the community, including delivering workshops to more than 37,000 students across Kent to deter them from a life of crime.

“Winning this award means so much for our work in the county and keeping Kent safe for our children and young people,” said Francis. “It’s also important to recognise our founders and supporters who enable us to reach the thousands of children year-on-year. What an amazing awards gala evening organised by Kent Charity Awards this evening. All worthy causes and everyone is a winner tonight.”

The second special award of the evening was given to 83-year-old Nora Setterfield.

Nora, who has been part of the Thanet Disabled Riding Centre for more than 50 years, was the recipient of the Judges’ Special Recognition Award for creating a family-based centre where disabled people can ride horses and socialise in the tearoom.

The final judges’ award was for a Special Project, which was won by Swanley charity We Are Beams.

The organisation undertook a remarkable project to transform a rundown garden in Dartford and make it an accessible space for disabled children and young people.

The team raised more than £200,000 from sponsored walks, half marathons, donations, grants and a ‘buy a brick’ scheme which allowed We Are Beams to create the new space.

The judges were delighted by the volume of nominations for this year’s awards, but it made the selection process a challenge when choosing the winners.

Susan Robinson, Partner at Kreston Reeves and the Kent Charity Awards Head Judge, said: “The charity sector affects everyone either directly or indirectly where it plays a crucial role in underpinning the fabric of our society.

“A few bad apples can lead to a one-size-fits-all all approach. However, the reality is that the majority of the sector is doing incredible work, often under very difficult circumstances.

“Our charity awards are about recognising this work and in a small way being able to say thank you and well done. We look forward to an evening of celebration.”

The awards were founded by Josie Hage and Sarah MacDonald of Rise Communications who wanted to create a countywide award scheme aimed at the third sector to honour the commitment of charities and voluntary groups across Kent.

The full list of 2023 finalists and winners are below:

TRUSTEES

Clive Reddihough from Hi Kent (winner)

Marilyn Hodges from Young Lives Foundation

Peter Feacey from Ashford Volunteer Centre

VOLUNTEERS

Emma Thomas from the Hygiene Bank (winner)

Bradley Russell from Porchlight (winner)

Karen Stewart from Young Lives Foundation

Cathy Gundry from Demelza

Bill Hickmott from Kent Wildlife Trust

Gareth Johns from Community Lifesavers

CARE

Kenward Trust (winner)

Making Miracles

Carers First

BEST USE OF VOLUNTEERS

SERV Kent (winner)

Pathways to Independence

Demelza Hospice Care for Children

DISABILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

The Fifth Trust (winner)

Spadework

ADSS

Disability Assist

LARGE CHARITY OF THE YEAR

Demelza Hospice Care for Children (winner)

Kent Wildlife Trust

KASBAH

AMAT

COMMUNITY CHARITY OF THE YEAR

Catching Lives (winner)

Reform, Restore, Respect

Rubicon Cares

CHILDREN’S CHARITY OF THE YEAR

Embracing Arts (joint winner)

Dandelion Time (joint winner)

Curly’s Legacy

Children & Families

Life & Soul

KENT CHARITY OF THE YEAR

Spadework (winner)

This event is sponsored by Kreston Reeves, Kent County Council, Medway Council, The KM Group, CC Works, Kent Community Foundation, CAF Bank, AMEY, Brachers, Aplan Insurance, Financial Advice and Services.