Barnsley charity wins community award

Community groups, supporters and dignitaries from across the region came together to celebrate four decades of local giving and community impact at a special anniversary awards event hosted by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF).

The Exodus Project won the Barnsley Community Impact Award, presented by Anna Hartley, director of public health, Barnsley Council. Barnsley FC Community Trust was Highly Commended.

Around 130 guests attended the SYCF Community Celebration at Victoria in Sheffield, including Professor Dame Hilary Chapman DBE, Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire.

SYCF is South Yorkshire’s largest local grant-giving charity. Since being established in 1986, the Foundation has distributed more than £40 million in funding to thousands of grassroots organisations and charities across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Over the last 40 years, SYCF has supported projects tackling poverty, isolation and disadvantage, while helping communities create opportunities for people of all ages to thrive.

The event, hosted by Andy Kershaw, Training Manager for South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau (SYFAB), which is part of SYCF, included four regional Community Impact Awards recognising organisations making a lasting difference in their local areas.

Other award winners were:

• Edlington Community Organisation – Doncaster Community Impact Award, presented by Allan Wilshere, Service Director of Policy, Economic Development & Environmental Sustainability, Doncaster Council

Highly commended: Active Fusion

• Cortonwood Comeback – Rotherham Community Impact Award, presented by John Edwards, CEO, Rotherham Council

Highly commended: Harthill Tea and Day Social Club

• Family Voice and Ammi’s Kitchen – Sheffield Community Impact Award, presented by Kate Josephs, CEO Sheffield Council

Highly commended: Sheffield Mencap and Gateway

For more than 30 years, The Exodus Project has supported vulnerable and disadvantaged people across Barnsley through practical support, skills development and inclusive community activities.

Jack Dutton, Project Manager for The Exodus Project, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this award. It means so much to our volunteers, staff and everyone who has supported The Exodus Project over the years.

“Every day we see the difference that kindness, community and practical support can make in people’s lives. This recognition belongs to everyone who helps make our organisation such a welcoming and supportive place for local people.”

Professor Dame Hilary Chapman DBE, who is also President of SYCF, presented the SYCF President’s Award to Sparkle Sheffield in recognition of its outstanding commitment to supporting children and young people with additional needs and disabilities, while creating inclusive opportunities for families across the city.

She said: “South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation has been the cornerstone of voluntary organisations across our county, and it's overseen four decades of huge investment in grassroots charities.

“To have awarded £40 million since 1986 is an incredible achievement and demonstrates the extraordinary generosity, passion and commitment that exists across South Yorkshire.

“The organisations recognised during this celebration represent the very best of our communities. Their dedication, compassion and determination continue to change lives every single day.”

Guests were entertained by performances from the Sheffield Chinese Lion Dancers and talented young musicians from Sheffield Music Academy.

Anna Hartley, director of public health, Barnsley Council, said: “South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation is really important because they're brilliant conduit to get money out to the voluntary sector. Often, particularly grassroots organisations that sometimes have the biggest difficulties in our community, struggle to get funding. So, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation is really pivotal in making sure these groups achieve what they need to in order to deliver amazing services for their residents.”

Barnsley’s Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Ed Clancy also spoke during the evening, reflecting on his own upcoming 40th birthday and drawing comparisons between the dedication, resilience and teamwork needed to achieve long-term success in elite sport and in sustaining community impact over four decades.

Ed, who was appointed South Yorkshire’s Active Travel Commissioner by Mayor Oliver Coppard, said: “It's quite moving. There's been a few tears. I've seen these community projects on the ground and had a tear or two in my eye. I think in 40 years when I'm looking back on my life, I'll realise that the most meaningful measure of success is what you can do for other people.”

Martin Singer, Chief Executive of South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, said: “This celebration was about recognising the incredible people and organisations who work tirelessly to strengthen communities across South Yorkshire every single day.

“For 40 years, SYCF has proudly supported grassroots groups changing lives in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, and this event was an opportunity to reflect on the enormous impact local giving can have.

“What makes South Yorkshire special is the kindness and determination of its communities. We are incredibly proud to have worked alongside so many inspiring organisations and individuals over the past four decades.

“As we look to the future, our ambition remains the same. We are committed to ensuring communities across South Yorkshire continue to receive the support and investment they need to thrive for generations to come.”

For more information or to begin a giving journey with SYCF, visit South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation

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