Basildon Volunteer Awards 2026

Volunteers across the Basildon Borough were recognised on the 3rd March at the Basildon Volunteer Awards 2026 which was held at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon.

The event was hosted by Basildon Youth Council which the Mayor of Basildon Cllr Allan Davies was in attendance along with every volunteer who was nominated for the awards along with a new category which was Behind The Scenes Hero. There were also performances by T.I.M.E (Together in Musical Expression) and Unpuzzled Theatre Group.

One of the volunteers at Gateway 97.8 Abbeygail Hall was highly commended at the awards. With the main award going to Sandy Griffiths from Motivated Minds.

Here are the list of winners and those who were highly commended at the Basildon Volunteer Awards 2026:

Voluntary Group/Project of the Year sponsored by Leonardo:

• Winner: Basildon Catholic Youth Ministry
• Higly Commended: Basildon & Thurrock Samaritans

Young Volunteer of the Year (11 to 21 yrs) sponsored by Atlantic Pacific Global Logistics LTD:

• Winner Arthur Bishop from Basildon Catholic Youth Ministry
• Highly Commended: Madison Casselden from ATF (Achieve, Thrieve and Flourish)

Behind The Scenes Hero sponsored by Wigget Group:

• Winner: Maddie White from Towngate Theatre
• Highly Commended: Karla Cairns from Forget Me Not Baby Loss Charity

Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Wigget Group:

• Winner: Karla Cairns from Forget Me Not Baby Loss Charity
• Highly Commended: Joan Hegwein from Towngate Theatre

Community Star sponsored by Utilize PLC:

• Winner: Ange Neale from Wickford Guides and Essex Family Forum
• Highly Commended: Emily Shapland from BASIS

Inspirational Role Model sponsored by C2C:

• Winner: Sandy Griffiths from Motivated Minds
• Highly Commended: Abbeygail Hall from Gateway 97.8

Special Recognition Award:

• Winner: Basildon Fire Station

Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Clarion Futures:

• Winner: Sandy Griffiths from Motived Minds

Gateway 97.8’s Aston Avery was also in attendance and he spoke to some of the volunteers recognised at the awards and also with the Mayor of Basildon Cllr Allan Davies.

Aston first caught up with William Cassel from Basildon Catholic Youth Ministry.

Aston then caught up with Karla Cairns from Forget Me Not Baby Loss Charity.

Aston then spoke to Daryl Wossall from Basildon Fire Station.

Aston also spoke to Abbeygail Hall from Gateway 97.8.

Aston chatted with Sandy Griffiths from Motivated Minds.

Finally Aston spoke to the Mayor of Basildon Cllr Allan Davies.