It’s that time of year again when the North Tyneside Business Forum reaches out to residents for help to decide the winner of one of its prestigious awards for 2022. This will be the sixth year of the Heart of the Community Award, an award that recognises North Tyneside businesses that go the extra mile to help their local community.
The Heart of the Community award was first voted for in 2017 and since then, five worthy winners have received the accolade following nominations and voting from members of the public.
Nominations for the 2022 Heart of the Community award are now open and you can make your nomination at https://northtynesidebusinessawards.co.uk/nominate-heart-community/
Here’s a rundown of the previous winners of the award:
2017 – Move it Studios
Move It Studios is based in Wallsend and offers classes in dance, gymnastics, and fitness for children from walking age right through to young adults. The business was nominated by several parents who felt so strongly that the team worked hard to create opportunities for children and young people in the local and wider community.
2018 – Carney Consultancy
North Shields based health and safety business, Carney Consultancy won the 2018 because of the team’s active membership of several Northeast charities. They also champion women in the construction industry and raise awareness of health and safety to small building firms.
2019 – Morrisingh’s
Morrisingh’s in West Allotment is a village shop providing groceries and other services to the local community. Morrisingh’s won the award for the work they do in their local community and the help they provide that go beyond the usual, day-to-day village shop services, such as pioneering a project to clean up and maintain planters in the village.
2020 – H&S Convenience Store
H&S Convenience store in Hadrian Park, Wallsend, was nominated by its local community for the support the business provided during the first Covid lockdown in 2020. The small team delivered food to individuals and families who couldn’t do their own shopping, even shopping for items they didn’t stock themselves to ensure their customers received everything they needed. They also provided food parcels for families who were struggling financially as a result of the pandemic.
2021 – Jillys Homebake
Jillys Homebake at the Rose Inn, Wallsend created a ‘pay what you can’ menu for local homeless people during the pandemic. They provided hundreds of free food deliveries to elderly and vulnerable people in isolation. They also ran music events, adhering strictly to the Covid guidelines. It helped to keep the local music industry alive and allowed so many people to get out and enjoy so live music in safe surroundings.
Karen Goldfinch, Chair of the Forum said, “The Heart of the Community award is a brilliant way to say thank you to small to medium sized businesses in North Tyneside. We ask the public to nominate and vote for businesses they feel have gone the extra mile to help and support their local community. Our past finalists and winners have all done incredible work to build their communities and we are looking forward to receiving nominations for our 2022 awards.
“We know there are loads of small and medium-sized businesses out there doing great work and they don’t shout about it. This is our opportunity to recognise and celebrate our unsung heroes.”
Each nominated business must meet at least three of the the following criteria:
- Supports local charities and/or good causes
- Provides excellent customer service
- Employs local people
- Cares about the environment around them
- Improves the lives of local people
- Actively supports the economy
- Looks after their community
To find information on this years North Tyneside Business Awards head over here : https://www.northtynesidebusinessforum.org.uk/2022/08/silver-aniversary-awards-recognise-the-gold-stars-in-businesses/
