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The efforts of volunteers from across Caerphilly County Borough have been celebrated at the annual Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO) Awards.

The ceremony, held at Blackwood Rugby Club on Tuesday October 8, saw 14 different awards presented to worthy winners, while runners-up also graced the stage to receive certificates.

The first winner of the night was A Best Friend’s Handbook, which won the Most Innovative Social Enterprise award.

The initiative aims to help girls offer advice and support to friends experiencing male violence and harmful relationships.

The award was collected by co-creator Jo Payton, the first of three awards she would collect on the night.

The runner-up was Andrew Bond of Vision 21, which provides catering training and volunteering opportunities to young people and people with learning disabilities

The second award of the night was the Trustee and Director award, which was won by Lesley Brunton of the Senghenydd Youth Drop in Centre (SYDIC).

After her win, Mrs Brunton, who has managed the charity’s finances for 25 years, said she was “shocked” to be nominated.

Mrs Brunton told Caerphilly Observer: “I’m very proud, it’s quite an achievement. As a volunteer, you don’t expect to win things – you do it because you want to.”

The runners-up in the category were Chris Edwards of Cefn Fforest Eco Park, and Lesley Isaacs-Penny of Blood Bikes Wales.

The next award was for Food Sustainability, and was won by Caerphilly People First – a Gilfach-based not-for-profit organisation promoting self-advocacy for people with learning difficulties.

Amy Jones, of Caerphilly People First, described the win as “fab” and said: “It’s nice to feel recognised and appreciated.”

Finishing as runners-up was Sirhowy Valley Hub, which runs a food pantry in Cwmfelinfach providing affordable food for the community.

Meanwhile, the Sport and Leisure Award, which was sponsored by Caerphilly Observer, was won by Michelle Hooper and Leigh Tiley of the Welsh Wallball Association.

The pair have played a key role in reviving the sport of wallball in Nelson – home to the only outdoor three-wall wallball court in the UK.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer about their win, they said: “It’s fantastic, we did not expect that at all.

“But it’s not just our award, it’s a team award.”

Speaking about the growing interest in their sport, Ms Hooper said: “We’re trying to bring wallball back and keep the momentum running. It’s great to see so much interest in the sport.”

Caerphilly Tennis Club‘s leaders came runners-up. In 2024, the 32 volunteers have so far given up a combined 700 hours, during which time they have coached, held competitions and ran school holiday camps for children.

The next award was for Health and Wellbeing, with Wendy Williams and Geoff Crook of Blackwood Stroke Support Group crowned winners.

Wendy and Geoff, who are both stroke survivors themselves, have worked together to push for change – including a successful campaign for the return of a stroke survivors pathway to the stroke wards at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.

Sian Mainwaring, a one-on-one carer, nominated by her 97-year-old client Dorothy, was the runner-up.

The next award was the High Sheriff Award, chosen by the High Sheriff of Gwent, Helen Mifflin.

The winners were the youth ambassadors from Gwent N-gage, which is a service providing drug and alcohol support, information, and advice to young people, families and professionals.

Meanwhile, the Mayor’s Civic Award, chosen by Caerphilly County Borough mayor Julian Simmonds, was awarded to Nelson community councillor Laura Dufty.

Cllr Dufty was recognised for her dedication to numerous local causes, including foodbanks, collecting donations, running a craft club, and helping out with the warm space events at St John’s Church – as well as volunteering at Nelson Community Centre and being a governor at Llancaiach Junior School.

The next volunteer awarded on the night was Dennis Roberts, chairman of Deri Regeneration Group, who won the Community Advocate Award.

Since the group was formed 20 years ago, it has helped fund and build Deri Community Centre, gain funding for a new MUGA sports pitch, and maintain the local memorial garden – with Mr Roberts playing a key role.

Runners-up were the volunteers at Caerphilly East Social Club, based in Pentywnmawr, which helps adults with learning difficulties and provides a fun environment for them to meet friends – tackling loneliness and isolation.

Mechanical and electrical engineer Alan Harding, of Rhymney Furniture Revival, won the Environmental award. As part of his volunteer work, Mr Harding makes sure items being sold at the reuse shop meet re-sale standards, often assembling and repairing items, moving furniture onto the shop floor, and helping customers load furniture into their vehicles.

Finishing as runners-up were Valerie Hammond, who has been litter-picking in Lansbury Park and the surrounding areas for 15 years, and Caerphilly Uniform Exchange – which runs a school uniform recycling and swapping scheme, saving families money and stopping textiles from going to landfill. 

Meanwhile, Lucy Jones, who volunteers at Van Community Centre, won the Inspirational Young Person award, and said she was “chuffed” to have been recognised.

Lucy, who runs the weekly quiz at the centre, also sets up rooms for events and helps out in the community cafe, and organised a successful Macmillan coffee morning.

Runner-up was Olivia Underwood, who prepares arts and crafts activities at Valley Daffodils, which is a community group for children and adults with disabilities and additional needs.

Also coming runner-up was Esme Jones, who leads two girl guiding units, one rainbows unit and a guides group.

Dawn Clayton, girl guiding county commissioner for Gwent, said she was “so proud” of the “marvellous” job Esme has done.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer after the ceremony, Ms Clayton said: “Because of Esme, more people in Blackwood have had opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have had.

“She’s very inspirational. We need more people like Esme.”

Also winning on the night was the Toy Box Project – a 36-volunteer strong scheme taking in unwanted toys and rehoming them to children and families in need across south Wales.

James Morgan, who founded the scheme four years ago, said: “I’m so proud of all our volunteers, past and present, because they’ve helped create this essential service, helping families, schools, and community groups that need toys.”

Vicky Jones, who helps with Caerphilly Uniform Exchange, prepares meals at the community cafe in Van Community Centre, and volunteers at a variety of community events, was the runner-up.

Next up was the Inspirational Journey award, which was won by Simon Cook.

A volunteer at the Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service (GDAS), Mr Cook is also involved in Gwent Wildlife Trust’s ‘Wild Health’ project.

Having experienced his own personal struggles, he has since transformed his life and now devotes his time to helping others.

In second was Ceri Hooper, chair and founder of Valley Daffodils – a group which began meeting in her living room but has since grown to more than 100 members.

The penultimate award on the night was for Culture and Heritage, which was won by volunteers at Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall.

Volunteer Kathy Lye told Caerphilly Observer: “All the volunteers work so hard, I’m just so proud of them, and everyone who’s supported the workmen’s hall.

“It’s our centennial next year, and we’ve got big plans for the future – we want to make this the cultural and artistic centre of Caerphilly.”

In second place were the members of Blackvein Memorial Society, who work to commemorate Risca’s mining heritage.

The final award of the night was His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent Award – picked the Lord Lieutenant himself, Brigadier Robert Aitken.

It was won by Jo Payton, of A Best Friend’s Handbook – the third time she graced the stage having also gone up as a volunteer with Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall.

Cllr Sean Morgan, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, attended the event and said: “The awards are a celebration of the endless spirit, enthusiasm and dedication of our thriving voluntary sector and I am delighted and honoured to be a part of it. 

“Volunteers are an inspiration to us all as they play such a vital role in our society. Award ceremonies like this allow us to do our little bit to recognise the positive contribution they make to so many people’s lives.”