Awards up for grabs include the Good Neighbour Volunteer Award and the Environmental Volunteer Award
Past Time2Volunteer winners in 2024(Image: Submitted)
Selfless people who volunteer for their communities often do so without much recognition or reward. For one afternoon, the people in Hull and the East Riding who donate their time to make their community stronger will be recognised at the Time2Volunteer Awards 2026.
The awards celebrate the volunteers, community groups and organisations whose time, compassion and commitment make communities across Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire better places to be. Awards up for grabs include the Good Neighbour Volunteer Award, an Environmental Volunteer Award and an award for those who are hiding in plain sight: the Behind the Scenes Volunteer Award.
There will also be recognition in the Older Volunteer category and for the area’s best Young Volunteer, too. From supporting people through difficult times and reducing isolation, to creating opportunities for young people, protecting local green spaces, strengthening community organisations and encouraging participation in sport, culture and wellbeing activities, volunteers play an essential role in the life of the region.
This is a chance to pause, say thank you and celebrate those whose generosity helps local people and neighbourhoods thrive. Jamie Lewis MBE, chief executive at HEY Smile Foundation said: “Thirty five individuals and teams have been shortlisted across eleven award categories. This will be a truly inspiring afternoon, celebrating people who give their time, skills and energy to make life better for others.
“The finalists are remarkable, but the event is about much more than awards. It is about recognising the collective power of volunteering and the difference it makes to communities across Hull and the East Riding. We would love people to join us – whether they are volunteers themselves, supporters of a local charity, a business wanting to celebrate their community, or simply someone who wants to say thank you to the people who make a difference.’”
Guests will enjoy a welcome drink and two-course lunch, while the winners of the Time2Volunteer Awards 2026 are announced across 11 categories. Tickets are £20 per person or £200 for a table of 10. To book, email awards@heysmilefoundation.org .
The full shortlist is:
Active & Sports Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Active Humber
- Phoenix FC
- William Wilson
- Stuart Flynn
Behind The Scenes Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Umber Creative
- James Gatshore – Lets Tech Together
- Kay Page – Oldroyd’s Corner Yorkshire CIC
- Ally English – Fitmums and Friends
- Bruce Parkin – Southern Holderness Resource Centre
Environmental Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Transwaste
- Antoinette Bamurange – Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation
- Victoria Whitfield – The Conservation Volunteers Hull & Humber
- Karyn Murby – Molescroft Wildlife Network
Founding Volunteer Award – Sponsored by KCOM
- Sue Connor – Voices of Weighton
- Ryan Gardiner – A Shining Light
- Lynne Maskell – Second Friends, HER Breast Friend
- Samantha Catanach – Chasing Rainbows Charity
Good Neighbour Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Mitsubishi Chemicals
- Chloe Hart
- Christopher Palmer
- Tim Potter – The Hinge Centre
Inclusive Volunteer Award – Supported by MADL
- John Rutherford
- Pam Lawson – IntoUniversity
- Gatura – Refugee Council
Long Serving Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Forrester Boyd
- Stuart Robinson – Hull and East Yorkshire Mind
- Andy Forsey – Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University
- David Howarth – Carers Advisory Group
Older Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Jane Brooks Law
- Maureen Mulligan – Welcome House
- Pauline Young – Humber Wellbeing Hub CIC and Skidby Village Hall
- Rene James – Sight Support HEY
Volunteer Team – Supported by
- Mysterious Minds
- Valued Minds – Space2BHeard
- One Stop Volunteers – The Salvation Army
Volunteer Trustee Award – Sponsored by Smailes Goldie Accountants
- Rajwant Kaur Singh – Concrete Youth
- Janet Adamson – Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University
- Corina Matthews – Bora Shabba Refugee Community Organisation
Young Volunteer Award – Sponsored by Eltherington
- Deborah Arikbe – Youth Aspire Connect Organisation
- Quinn Watt – Platform Provision
- Ellie White – The Peel Project CIC
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