Caerphilly: Voluntary heroes celebrated at GAVO Awards 2025

Winners and sponsors at the 2025 GAVO Awards

The hard work and commitment of volunteers across Caerphilly County Borough has been celebrated at the 2025 Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO) Awards.

The ceremony was held at Blackwood Rugby Club on Tuesday October 7, with 13 different awards presented to worthy winners, while runners-up also graced the stage to receive certificates.

The first award on the night was for the Most Innovative Social Enterprise or Community Interest Company (CIC). Sirhowy Valley Hub were crowned winners, with Create Caerphilly runners-up.

Sirhowy Valley Hub's Mel Parker and Jamie Arr receive their award from GAVO's Edward Watts — Sirhowy Valley Hub’s Mel Parker and Jamie Arr receive their award from GAVO’s Edward Watts

The second award was for the Trustee and Director category, which was won by Menter Iaith Sir Caerffili, with the Toy Box Project in second place.

Next up was the Food Sustainability category, where the award went to the Caerphilly-based Connect Life Church. Nathan Rees, of The Parish Trust in Trethomas, came runner-up.

Meanwhile, the Sport and Leisure Award, which was sponsored by Caerphilly Observer, was won by the Welsh Wallball Association for a second year running – with Kacy-Leigh George, of Treowen Stars junior girls football team, scoring second place.

Kaci-Leigh George, left, of Treowen Stars Girls FC, receives her Sport and Leisure runner-up award from Caerphilly Observer's Joanne Burgess — Kaci-Leigh George, right, of Treowen Stars Girls FC, receives her Sport and Leisure runner-up award from *Caerphilly Observer*’s Joanne Burgess

YYFM, a community-focused hospital radio station running out of Ystrad Mynach’s Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, won in the Health and Wellbeing category, with Caffi’r Fynnon Argoed Café in second place.

Next up on the night was the High Sheriff’s Award, chosen by Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Griffin, the High Sheriff of Gwent. Winning this award was Toby Jones of The Parish Trust.

Following this was the award for Community Advocate. This was awarded to Brian Campbell, from SMART Group (GDAS) Barod, with Caerphilly People First claiming second place.

Brian Campbell, of SMART Group (GDAS) Barod, is presented with his Community Advocate award by Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd

The next winners on the night were members of the Sown and Grown Allotments group, run by Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly Youth Offending Service. The group won the Environmental award, ahead of runners-up Morgan Jones Allotments, and Platfform’s Perfect Fit project.

Also winning at the ceremony was Newbridge Memo’s Melis Ahmet, who was named Inspirational Young Person. Also nominated for the award were Riley Messer of Van Community Centre, and Abi Bowring of Caerphilly Miners’ Centre.

The tenth award handed out on the evening was the Family Champion award. This was awarded to Tracy Lintern-Davies of Van Community Allotments – the first of her two award wins on the night – with Danielle Cull and Jodie Rees of Neuroguard coming runners-up.

Tracy Lintern-Davies, of Van Allotments, receiving the Family Champion award from Paul Hartshorn of the Weston Group

Next up was the Inspirational Journey award, won by Rhymney Valley Food Bank’s Janie Hughes. In second place was Elise Brydon, of Caerphilly Miners’ Centre’s Glowyr Bach – a Welsh language stay and play group.

It was followed by an award win for Caerphilly Miners’ Centre’s Ann Lewis, for her involvement with the Glowyr Bach group. She won the Culture and Heritage award, with Newbridge Memo’s Barry Alder finishing as a runner-up.

Gwent Police assistant chief constable Vicki Townsend, presents the Culture and Heritage award to Ann Lewis, of Caerphilly Miners' Centre — Gwent Police assistant chief constable Vicki Townsend, presents the Culture and Heritage award to Ann Lewis and John Kirwan, of Caerphilly Miners’ Centre

The final award was His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Gwent Award 2025 – chosen by Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE. This was won by Van Allotments’ Tracy Lintern-Davies – her second award of the night.