The shortlist for the North East Charity Awards has been announced, recognising voluntary groups and their supporters from around the region. Organisations and individuals have been nominated in 12 categories, with the winners being announced at a ceremony at the Fed in Gateshead on September 10.
The awards are partnered by headline partner RBC Brewin Dolphin, alongside associate partners Community Foundation North East and Point North. Additional support comes from VONNE, Banks Group, Muckle LLP, Millfield House Foundation, Sage, and LGA Foundation.
Last Year's Winners
In 2025, the top prize of North East Charity of the Year went to The Junction Foundation, a Redcar charity supporting young people with employment, mental health, and careers advice. Other winners included Impact Family Services, Kye's Kick Off Group, and Veterans at Ease Enterprise Ltd.
This Year's Nominees for Charity of the Year
For 2026, the nominees vying to be named North East Charity of the Year are:
- Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care (Newcastle)
- Family Gateway (North Tyneside)
- Handcrafted Projects (County Durham)
- Teesside Hospice
Graeme Whitfield, editor of The Journal, said: “This year’s Charity Awards shortlist shows how much brilliant work is being done in the North East’s voluntary sector. It’s humbling to read of all the good work being done by these groups and the many that did not make our finalists. I can’t wait to hear more about these brilliant organisations at our awards in September. So many of these groups do great work with little or no recognition, and this an opportunity to turn that around.”
Full List of Category Nominees
Charity Champion of the Year – in partnership with Banks Group
- Alison Jones
- George and Kate Taylor
- Iris Stewart
- Jennifer Parvin
Charity Leader of the Year – in partnership with RBC Brewin Dolphin
- Anne Fry – Eating Distress North East
- Janet Murphy MBE – Escape Family Support
- Peter Darrant – OUT North East
- Sarah McPhie – Stockton Citizens Advice
Corporate Charity Partnership
- Accenture, Multibank and The Junction Foundation
- Karbon Homes and Building Self-Belief CIO
- RE:GEN North East and Back on the Map
- Sage and Newcastle Rugby Foundation
Outstanding Contribution to Social Change – in partnership with Millfield House Foundation
- Equal Arts
- Open Clasp Theatre Company
- Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland Activist Volunteers
- Recovery Connections
Outstanding Social Enterprise – Sage
- 2 Way Tenancy Solutions
- Cricketqube Initiative CIC
- Side by Side Arts CIC
- Sunshine Co-operative CIC
Rising Star
- Danny Wilson – Lifelong Ability North East
- Hannah Turney – Silverline Memories
- Kirsty Lumsden – Her Circle
- Tarik Alali – West End Refugee Service
Small Charity of the Year – LGA Foundation
- Gym Possible
- Newcastle Women’s Aid
- OUT North East
- Spectrum Holidays
Trustee Board of the Year
- Back on the Map
- Emmaus North East
- Northumberland County Blind Association
- Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland
Uniquely North East – in partnership with VONNE
- 4Louis
- Bensham Grove Community Centre
- Recovery Connections
- Unfolding Theatre
Young Charity Champion of the Year
- Aimee Wager (Building Self-Belief CIO)
- Elijah Wotton-Lidster
- Luke Hedley BCyA
- Will Palmer
A Special Recognition Award – in partnership with Community Foundation North East and Point North – will be announced on the night. For more details and to book tickets, contact event director Dawn Owens on dawn@hold-events.co.uk or 07789 666437, or visit northeastcharityawards.co.uk.
