Congratulations to the 2026 winners and shortlist!
We held the Heart of Salford awards event on 3rd June at Buile Hill Hall as part of this year's Volunteers' Week.
It was a fantastic showcase of the brilliant and diverse work happening across Salford and the amazing staff and volunteers.
See our Heart of Salford awards 2026 gallery for photos from the event. Several people have contributed photos including our Volunteer photographer Bill Cooney who took the offical photos - thanks Bill!
Watch the films below on each of the shortlisted nominees. These were shown at the event and voted on by the audience to determine the winners.
You can also watch the full list of films on our Heart of Salford 2026 playlist on YouTube.
Small VCSE Organisation
Large VCSE Organisation
Equalities Champion
Volunteering Team
Young Volunteer
Community Champion (Centenary Edition)
Heart of the Community long-service
Volunteer of the Year
Small VCSE Organisation:
Talk About It Mate - Winner
Salford Hongkongers
Salford Survivor Project
The Tatton
Large VCSE Organisation:
Salford Foyer - Winner
Ability Cooperative
African Rainbow Family
Salford Foodbank
START
Equalities Champion
Salford Parent Carer Forum - Winner
African Rainbow Family
Europia
Owen Power
Volunteering Team
Irlam and Cadishead Disabled Persons Group - Winner
Monaco Morris Dancers
Wardley Gardeners
Wheels for All
100th Salford Scouts
Young Volunteer
Keira Wilkinson - Winner
Eli Hassell
Amelia Naisbitt
Community Champion (Centenary Edition)
Prudence Jones - Winner
Rekha Senapati
Vicky Donley
Heart of the Community - Long-Service
Ian Wallace - Winner
Chris Lane
Marcus Taylor
Ida Bede
Volunteer of the Year
Kellie Ryan - Winner
Amanda Thompson
Kay Fairhurst
Evelyn Lo
About the awards
The Heart of Salford Awards are Salford CVS and Volunteer Centre Salford’s annual event to celebrate volunteering, community champions and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Salford. The awards put inspiring individuals and brilliant VCSE organisations centre stage, shining a spotlight on the difference they make to the city of Salford.
We have been celebrating these awards since 2003. This is an extra special year, as 2026 marks 100 years since Salford was officially granted city status by a Royal Charter by King George V (www.salford100.org.uk).
In that time, we’ve seen remarkable acts of volunteering and voluntary action in Salford. This year we are excited to introduce two new categories, Equalities Champion and Heart of the Community long service award.
The awards will take place on Wednesday 3rd June 2026. Nominations across all categories will be shortlisted by an independent panel and attendees at the ceremony will vote for the winners in each category. The shortlisted nominees and their nominator will be invited to the ceremony. Shortlisted nominees will be invited to the stage to receive a certificate. Category winners will also receive a locally designed award.
Previous awards
