Kevin is a full-time unpaid carer who wants to help get the voice of the Learning Disabled community heard in Torbay, as well as help to improve things for the people who are Learning Disabled.

He helped, along with other unpaid Carers with The Big Plan, he sits as the Carers Rep on The Learning Disability Partnership Board, sits on the committee of Torbay Mencap and represents them on various forums, sits on the trust’s Treat Me Well group and has for many years been a volunteer for Healthwatch. Kevin fits this in around his caring role of caring for his two severely learning disabled adult sons, one of whom has had a stroke, and both still live at home.

Sadly, Kevin passed away in October 2025; therefore, the decision was made to dedicate the 2025 award in his name.

About 4 years ago, Bryan set up the Brixham Rugby Club’s Looseheadz mental health wellbeing group after a tragic incident when one of the First team players took his own life at the age of 34, because of Mental Health and other issues.

Bryan now has a large team of volunteers that work with him from all sections, from the youth to the senior teams and the wider club. He has, through educating, communicating, sharing and encouraging all players and visitors to the club to be much more open about their own mental health.

“He has inspired us all to be proactive and NOT to be ashamed of sharing how we feel.”

Angie supports victims of Domestic Abuse and triages them to helpful groups and services. She provides an incredible service for people in Torbay in need of guidance around a wide range of social issues and connects individuals to the best support for them.

“Angie always centres the individual in any support she arranges and is so quick to help. She uses her expertise to support the community in a way that makes a massive difference both to services and to members of the community. We are incredibly lucky to have Angie in the Bay, and the impact she has had on the community is amazing, running What’s Your Problem and the Standing Tall Partnership, which both support incredibly vulnerable clients to connect to a wide range of groups and services.”

Babs volunteers her time for two different voluntary groups – she is a committee member of Children’s Week (Torbay) and their Craft Lead, and she is a Brown Owl of a Brownie pack in Torquay. For Children’s Week (Torbay) – Babs takes on sole responsibility for organising and running our Craft Tent – she spends the entire year researching, sourcing and creating over 2,000+ craft activities for children to do during our August event (making over 1,200 plaster of Paris models to decorate, for instance) and other events such as Torbay Air Show, Christmas festivities etc. She is our Craft Queen and is spectacular for imagination and skill.

“For Girl Guiding – she runs her pack and organises everything, giving up her time to run weekly sessions, organise activities and outings and do everything a leader does! She always goes the extra mile and makes it truly special for the children involved. Babs always hides from the limelight – but truly deserves huge recognition for her years of voluntary work.”

There are regular school visits, where groups of 15-30 school children visit at a time and are divided into three smaller groups – one will learn about bugs and the insect life of the garden, another will be learning about herbs and other food including tasting and taking samples home, and the other group will either be planting or watering specific areas, then they swap around, with a well-deserved drink and biscuit before heading back to school. The schools also have their own little plots to maintain.

Referrals are also made to the space from local organisations such as Social Prescribers, Support Workers and Community Builders, where individuals can attend, who may have some mental/physical health issues.

An Educational Shed was added this year, along with four rescue chickens. Only organic methods are used, and gifts/waste from local organisations, for example, wood chippings or cardboard, are recycled.

During the better weather months, the garden puts on events that are mainly free where the local community can visit, look around the garden, hear about it and what its potential uses are and how it is currently used, raising funds through bake sales, crafting, potting up, and general maintenance of the site. It is truly a community garden, but a lot of it is down to the efforts of just two people – Jemma and Paddy Cain.

Torbay Rescue Coastguard Team volunteers help rescue people who have fallen or are taken ill on coastal paths, trapped on cliffs, cut off by tides or struggling in the water. They also undertake duties such as staffing helicopter landing sites, assisting police in searching for vulnerable and missing people or attending reports of possible unexploded ordnance on beaches, plus giving safety advice to seafarers.

The team attend around 150 plus incidents a year, and their impact on keeping the coast safe is essential. The team are all employed or self-employed and regularly leave their jobs to attend incidents and drop everything they are doing, e.g. leaving in the middle of mealtimes with the family or in the middle of the night when it’s cold, wet and windy to attend incidents.

Jess is a busy young mother of four and a business owner, and she still finds time to get to know and help her neighbours and is devoted to improving her local community for all who live there.

She bakes cakes for neighbours’ birthdays, knocks on the door of newcomers and invites them for coffee and events. She also organises BBQs and invites all her neighbours around so they can get to know each other.

She does her neighbour’s shopping when they are sick and gives them lifts and goes with them to appointments when they need support. She’s the neighbour who’s noticed the old lady who’s not been around and knocks on their door, or calls social services to help them if needed. She’s the neighbour who takes the young single mother to the children’s groups to help build confidence and help them with their first baby.

“Everyone knows Jess in Melville.”

An international advocate making a major impact around the world. The Purple Angel program has ambassadors worldwide advocating to improve dementia care.

Norrms has started an amazing MP3 program that offers calmness to many, reducing anxiety, and bringing joy and hope back to individuals living with dementia, as well as their families and the professionals who care for them.

He started the World Rocks Against Dementia WRAD – a musical program that has also gone international, raising awareness and funds to improve dementia care. Norrms has helped expand the Memory Cafes as well.

He has inspired so many people globally to step up and step in to make a difference. His ability to communicate the true needs of those living with dementia and their families hits home with professionals and families. He has authored books and created more collaborations than most on a shoestring budget. He is recognised around the world for the difference he has made.

An international advocate making a major impact around the world. The Purple Angel program has ambassadors worldwide advocating to improve dementia care.

Norrms has started an amazing MP3 program that offers calmness to many, reducing anxiety, and bringing joy and hope back to individuals living with dementia, as well as their families and the professionals who care for them.

He started the World Rocks Against Dementia WRAD – a musical program that has also gone international, raising awareness and funds to improve dementia care. Norrms has helped expand the Memory Cafes as well.

He has inspired so many people globally to step up and step in to make a difference. His ability to communicate the true needs of those living with dementia and their families hits home with professionals and families. He has authored books and created more collaborations than most on a shoestring budget. He is recognised around the world for the difference he has made.

Ali gives unpaid Carers a voice, speaking up for those who support their family members or friends in a range of settings. Despite the fact that she has a son with learning disabilities and a husband with physical needs, she gives up a lot of her free time to support and to speak up for other unpaid Carers. She represents Carers on the Board of Governors of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, meaning that they hear how things are for real people who care for their family or friends. She, with another Carer, also spoke to the Care Quality Commission when they inspected Adult Social Care, telling them how it felt to be on the receiving end of Carers Services.

Ali is a great asset to the community of people who care for a family member with a learning disability. She strives to improve their situation by giving her time and ensuring their viewpoint is heard by the people who manage the services that affect them.

Up and Running Torbay provides running opportunities for adults of all ages and abilities. Belonging to Up And Running is like belonging to a family. Anita and Lisa have the groups well being at the forefront of their minds at all times. The annual fee also provides support to local charities. Additionally,  Anita and Lisa arrange seasonal runs which include collections for local charities. They promote fitness, wellbeing, community and fun.

They work tirelessly for the benefit of their members and the wider community. Their club ethos of mental and physical health is a very popular mix.

Paul supported his local community through St John Ambulance for more than 40 years, but wanted to do more to help local events, so he launched Riviera Event Solutions, a CIC designed to provide first aid support and other services to local community events, as the first of providing first aid at events was causing many smaller events to question whether they could continue. Riviera event solutions also provides first aid training in an affordable way to community groups so that more people can learn how to save a life.

If you cut Paul down the middle, it would spell community. As well as being a paramedic with the ambulance service, he has been involved in the running of children’s week (the longest running children’s festival in the UK) for more than 25 years, plus he chairs the English Riviera Events Collective, which is a group set up to support local events organisers and help them to share materials and services.

Eight-year-old Daisy has been busy since October, fundraising, she’s been making sweets and selling them to raise money for a local charity. Daisy’s volunteering has had a significant and measurable impact on her community, driven by her compassionate mission that no child should go hungry, especially over Christmas. Her primary impact has been financial, raising more than £1,700 through her dedicated efforts selling homemade sweet bags. The tangible outcome of this fundraising is the direct provision of meals for vulnerable children. The funds raised contributed significantly toward the goal of feeding a total of 250 children before Christmas.

Her efforts began with a simple act of generosity: using her own money to buy initial supplies of sweets. This quickly escalated into a committed campaign. She spent hours and hours in the evenings, meticulously making up hundreds of sweet bags to sell, demonstrating incredible dedication and work ethic for her age. Furthermore, she actively approached local shops and successfully secured donations, showcasing initiative and persuasive skills.

Her compassion didn’t stop there. Over the Christmas period, she also made sweet bags specifically for homeless people to spread some festive cheer.

Daisy said, “No child deserves to go hungry, and my sweets will hopefully help. If I make one person smile, it’s all worth it.”

Sadly, Peter’s Dad became ill, and in April 2020, they found out he had kidney cancer. He had his kidney removed, but by Nov 2020, he began to get pains in his arm, shoulder and back, which were diagnosed as secondary cancer of the bones. He was quickly bed-bound, with Rowcroft visiting to sit and talk, provide pain relief and care for him. Rowcroft cared for Peter’s Dad, ensuring he was comfortable until he passed just before Christmas, on 18th December 2021. Then Rowcroft supported Peter and his mum through the bereavement. In 2022, when Peter was at Combe Pafford School, he decided to raise money for Rowcroft to thank them for the ‘fantastic job’ (his words) they did for his dad and family at an extremely difficult time in their lives.

First, a charity football match, then a cake sale, jumble sale, and non-uniform day – raising He has continued fundraising for Rowcroft in his new setting, at South Devon College.

To date, Peter, who is disabled and has challenges of his own, has raised £2,400 for Rowcroft, turning tragedy into something positive. His father would have been so proud see the wonderful young man he has grown into.

Macey voluntarily does four evenings a week, working with young sea scouts/cubs/beavers in the 11^th Torbay Sea Scouts, teaching them life skills and running events. At Christmas, she did a collection for less fortunate families across the Bay, getting gifts for their children. At 17, she has so much vision and wants to please other people first.

In the words of her nominator: “Macey is an outstanding young leader whose dedication, resilience, and compassion inspire everyone around her. As a young carer for her dad, Macey already demonstrates a level of responsibility and empathy far beyond her years.

Macey’s dedication, leadership, and ability to empower others is remarkable. She embodies the very spirit of this Award and is truly deserving of this recognition.”

Yazmin regularly volunteers at the Ellacombe Community Café and Help Hub, where she helps with all aspects of café duties. She ensures that everyone receives food and kindness in equal measure. She provides a welcoming, safe and friendly atmosphere for everyone who comes through the doors, regardless of their circumstances.

Many clients of the café face challenges such as homelessness, mental health issues, crises and substance misuse, but Yazmin’s warmth, respect and non-judgmental attitude have made the café a place where people feel truly valued. She has a natural ability to make everyone feel welcome and cared for, fostering a sense of belonging among those who often feel excluded. All this whilst juggling a bust teenage life and studying for GCSE’s.

In the words of her nominator: “She has faced her own challenges, yet continues to show up with kindness, empathy, courage and strength, offering the same compassion toothers that she has needed herself.”

William Taylor truly embodies the spirit of a Good Neighbour. For more than 50 years, he has consistently placed service to others at the heart of his life. His contribution spans generations and sectors—faith, civic leadership, environmental improvement, veterans’ support, and community wellbeing.

What makes William exceptional is not only the breadth of his service but the humility with which he has given it. Whether saving lives in extraordinary circumstances, supporting vulnerable children at Christmas, enhancing public spaces, or simply ensuring veterans have a place to gather and feel valued, William has always acted with compassion, commitment, and integrity.

At 91, he remains a respected figure and a true community champion, whose legacy is visible throughout Torbay. His lifelong dedication has strengthened community bonds, inspired others to volunteer, and left Torbay a better place for future generations.

The volunteer groups within Brixham RFC play a key role in ensuring the rugby club can function and grow as both a community-based entity and a significant, ongoing, profitable commercial business. Brixham Rugby Football Club is more than just a sporting club—it is the beating heart of a proud and resilient town. The volunteering efforts across the club provide a safe, friendly and positive environment for people of all ages and backgrounds to thrive individually and as part of a team.

The club is a lively hub of sporting activity, featuring rugby, darts, euchre and social events, and offers a comprehensive structure that caters to players of all ages and abilities. The club’s future remains a top priority, as evidenced by its four senior rugby teams, a Colts team, thirteen youth sides for both boys and girls, and a dedicated Rugby Cubs programme (for ages 3 to 6). Over 300 players represent the town each week. Additionally, the inclusion of a walking rugby team shows the club’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. The club is very much a part of the fabric of the local community, and its facilities/resources are used by a number of local community groups and charities, such as the RNLI, LooseHeadz and Slimming World Meetings.

To run Brixham RFC, more than 175 volunteers come together at various times of the week to ensure the club runs smoothly.

Mike leads the Friends of Clennon Lakes, who have been restoring Torbay’s most important wetland to its former glory for a decade. Without the work of Mike, Duncan, and all the volunteers who routinely meet up as working parties at The Lakes, one of our most beautiful and important wetlands would simply have disappeared. Along with the wide variety of wildlife that make Clennon Lakes their home.

The working parties not only work to defend the habitat for wildlife, but they are also a great way to bring the community together. All are welcome to join in and work through the structured maintenance projects that Mike and his team have set in place.

All ages go to the Lakes and enjoy each other’s company and share experiences.

Paul is a rider with South West Blood Bikes. Over the past year, he has volunteered his time to be on-call for Torbay Hospital more than any other volunteer in the charity’s South Team, responding to more than 300 urgent calls. He’s delivered more than 700 items of whole blood, & blood products, pathology and microbiology samples, donor breast milk, medical records, medical equipment, test kits and medications (Donor breast milk for prematurely born babies increases their chance of survival by 50%) Delivering medication to patients’ homes enables them to return home more quickly, freeing up a hospital bed for another patient.

Paul joined the charity as an emergency volunteer rider in Oct 2021. Since then, he’s volunteered more than 5,000 hrs. He has undoubtedly saved lives by transporting urgent blood from Torbay Hospitals, the Blood Transfusion unit, the South Devon Dialysis Unit, and other hospitals in Devon, riding in all weathers. Paul has also dedicated an additional 2,000 hrs to fundraising for the charity, which, in turn, has saved the NHS in Devon more than £400,000.

Carolyn moved to Brixham from the Midlands in 1988 and immersed herself in her adopted hometown. Her achievements are numerous, and here is just a flavour:
1991 – 2002 Treasurer for the Brixham Old People’s Housing Association, with a special interest in Laywell Residential Home until its closure
1998-2025 Treasurer of the Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir
2010-2020 Treasurer of the Brixham Horticultural Society
Over her years at Brixham Methodist Church, she has worked as a Pastoral Visitor, Communion Steward and member of the Church Council
Torbay branch of Parkinsons UK is taking on the roles of Events Officer and also becoming Vice-Chairman for 2-3 years.

For many years, Carolyn organised coach trips to other parts of the country to enable Brixham people and others to get away for short breaks has been associated with the Merchant Navy Association (Exeter Branch), serving them in the capacity of Treasurer and has been recognised for her work by being made a Life Member. Carolyn is an active member of the Diabetic Association of Torbay and has been on their committee.

Her nominator summed it up well: “Carolyn may be a ‘blow-in’, but since her move to Brixham, she has made every effort to be a part of the community and has utilised her financial skills to the town’s benefit. In this, she has asked for no reward other than the personal satisfaction of doing a job well and in this, the true spirit of volunteering comes through. As described above, she has been involved in a cross-section of the town’s organisations as well as in the wider area of Torbay.”

For more than 40 years, Major Ron Goodwin has been a very active member of the Royal British Legion in Paignton, supporting its fundraising, helping arrange events and being there for veterans and the whole community. He effectively saved the Branch from closure 23 years ago, then helped build it up into one of the most active local branches in the country. It operates almost entirely with volunteers, helping raise nearly £50,000 a year for the Poppy Appeal. After the former RBL Club in Paignton closed, Ron refocused the branch on its core objectives: Remembrance, Comradeship and Welfare.

Despite being in his early 80s, he still actively engages with the next generation to ensure the stories of what war and conflict mean to those taking part are heard by another generation, including the stories of those we remember.

The work of the Paignton Branch of the RBL, including its drop-in advice sessions and events for veterans and their families, would simply not be happening if Major Ron had not stepped up 23 years ago to keep the branch going. Since then, it has raised not far from £1m for the poppy appeal, helped tackle loneliness amongst those who have served, provided support and friendship to those dealing with the impacts of military service and ensured the next generation hears the stories of remembrance.

Tanny was the founding Director of Play Torbay (formerly known as the Torbay Play Forum), promoting children’s play in the Bay. The aim of Play Torbay is quite simple: to provide fun, accessible play opportunities all year round, including playground adventures, play days and special events, based on an understanding that play is the single most important developmental process in any child’s life and a fundamental human right.

Tanny has been the inspiration and driving force behind Play Torbay, which has touched the lives of so many people over the last 25 years. Play Torbay has brought fun and joy to children’s lives and given hope to many families, who have found it a lifeline. Play Torbay has given children the opportunity for children to be creative and use their imagination through the adventure playgrounds at Indigos in Brixham and Wildfox in Paignton, simply to be children. Tanny has shown what we can all do when we care for each other. She has brought together collaborations of arts, playworkers and children that have given them a voice and helped them find their place in the world. Tanny has inspired others and given them room to grow. Without Tanny, there would be no Play Torbay. Tanny has also served on a number of national committees and developed policy and practice at a national level on children’s play. Tanny has developed nationally recognised play work training in England and Wales. Tanny has presented her work with Play Torbay at national and international conferences and, in doing so, has put Torbay on the map as a place where great things can happen.

Tanny stood down as Director of Play Torbay as of 31st December 2025 after 25 years, but she will continue her work in the local community and has taken on a role with Play England to support national policy on children’s play.

Tanny was the founding Director of Play Torbay (formerly known as the Torbay Play Forum), promoting children’s play in the Bay. The aim of Play Torbay is quite simple: to provide fun, accessible play opportunities all year round, including playground adventures, play days and special events, based on an understanding that play is the single most important developmental process in any child’s life and a fundamental human right.

Tanny has been the inspiration and driving force behind Play Torbay, which has touched the lives of so many people over the last 25 years. Play Torbay has brought fun and joy to children’s lives and given hope to many families, who have found it a lifeline. Play Torbay has given children the opportunity for children to be creative and use their imagination through the adventure playgrounds at Indigos in Brixham and Wildfox in Paignton, simply to be children. Tanny has shown what we can all do when we care for each other. She has brought together collaborations of arts, playworkers and children that have given them a voice and helped them find their place in the world. Tanny has inspired others and given them room to grow. Without Tanny, there would be no Play Torbay. Tanny has also served on a number of national committees and developed policy and practice at a national level on children’s play. Tanny has developed nationally recognised play work training in England and Wales. Tanny has presented her work with Play Torbay at national and international conferences and, in doing so, has put Torbay on the map as a place where great things can happen.

Tanny stood down as Director of Play Torbay as of 31st December 2025 after 25 years, but she will continue her work in the local community and has taken on a role with Play England to support national policy on children’s play.