Sponsors

Sponsors of Lifetime Commitment to the Community Award

Norwich Theatre is a leading arts organisation in the UK and the largest in the East of England. They are deeply committed to the importance of creative experiences for people at all stages in their lives.

They are a creative force at the heart of Norwich, Norfolk and the East of England, working with local, national and international partners to continuously grow and develop Norwich’s status as a cultural destination. They are also a champion for the power of creativity to support positive change, improve people’s wellbeing and generate prosperity in all its forms.

Norwich Theatre encompasses Norwich Theatre Royal, the Playhouse and Stage Two. The three different size stages mean from big musicals, ballets and opera to comedians and intimate drama and dance, they can provide a vibrant programme of performance and creative experiences to entertain, enrich and inspire.

They also have several bars, the Café Royal and Prelude restaurant, providing creative spaces to enjoy outside of watching a show. 

Norwich Theatre has nearly 150 members of staff and a huge number of volunteers. Their work is further supported by a network of corporate members, sponsors, donors and Friends of Norwich Theatre.

For more information please visit norwichtheatre.org 

Sponsors of Charity Hero of the Year

The Potters Friends Foundation, a Community Interest Company (CIC) in memory of Brian Potter MBE, is proud to continue Brian’s legacy and philanthropy by sponsoring the Charity Hero of the Year Award.  

Potters Resorts, the UK's only all-inclusive resorts, has been a key part of the Hopton-on-Sea community for over a century, supported by a loyal team of 550 staff.   In May 2022, Potters Resorts expanded, opening Five Lakes Resort near Maldon, Essex, and adding another 300 team members. 

The Potters Friends Foundation and Potters Resorts commit to supporting local communities.  The Foundation's award sponsorship underlines their dedication to recognising individuals who selflessly give to charities and local causes. 

By sponsoring the Charity Hero of the Year Award, the Potters Friends Foundation highlights these remarkable individuals, emphasising their aim to honour those who work tirelessly for the benefit of others. 

This symbolises the common purpose of the Foundation and Potters Resorts - a fundamental commitment to strengthening and caring for their valued local communities. 

Sponsors of Animal Hero of the Year

Redwings Horse Sanctuary was established in 1984 and has grown to be the largest horse charity in the UK, working to save horses, ponies, donkeys and mules whose future would otherwise be bleak. 

Redwings is currently responsible for over 2,000 rescued horses and donkeys across the UK, including 700 living out on permanent loan in Guardian homes. 

They believe that every horse, pony, donkey and mule has the right to a happy and healthy life, free of fear and neglect. They rescue abandoned, mistreated and neglected horses and donkeys, giving them a safe place to live and providing essential veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and lifelong care.

They strive to offer a place of safety to those in need, rehome those with the potential for a fulfilling life outside the Sanctuary and educate owners and future generations about the value of horse welfare. 

Redwings – who employ 359 people – have their headquarters in Norfolk, where they also have two visitor centres at Aylsham and near Great Yarmouth. They have recently become the custodians of Anna Sewell House, the birthplace of the Black Beauty author, in Great Yarmouth, which will be open to the public on dates to be confirmed. 

Sponsors of Excellence in Education

Step Teachers is the home of honest, ethical, and dedicated education recruitment.  Founded by two teachers in 2000, it has placed over 8000 amazing teachers and support staff into its partner schools.

With a network of branches in Norwich, London, Stevenage, Rainham and Plymouth, they are ideally placed to offer teaching staff to schools across southern England.

Step Teachers prides itself on providing an unparalleled level of service.  It is their pledge to be safer recruitment trailblazers.  They became members of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation in 2007 and have gone on to achieve the REC’s Audited Education status in every bi-annual audit since.  A key milestone came in 2017 when they became the first agency to achieve 100% in the REC’s Online Diagnostic test; a feat they repeated in 2021.

Step Teacher have been preferred supplier for Hertfordshire County Council since 2014 and in July 2022 were for the second time named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s Supply Teachers and Support Staff Framework.  

The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown had a terrible impact on the education sector.  During this difficult period Step Teachers took an early and brave decision to offer its teachers furlough.  This vital support ensured the education sector did not lose its locum staff pool to alternatively employment; a decision vindicated with the subsequent teacher shortage.

Step Teachers continues to demonstrate that independent, family run businesses can thrive through hard work and valuing their staff.

Sponsors of Young Person of the Year

Vattenfall, one of Europe’s largest producers and retailers of electricity and heat, is building the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone that will generate low-cost green electricity for 4.6m UK homes.

By 2030, Vattenfall’s wind farms could power 4.5 million UK homes, creating thousands of skilled UK jobs, making wind the backbone of a reliable, affordable and fossil free energy system.

Construction starts on the Norfolk Zone in September 2023 with first power expected in 2027. It will support 1000 jobs in every year of construction. More than 100 skilled permanent jobs will be created at its operations and maintenance base, with many more across the East Anglian supply chain. 

As well as boosting the regional economy with jobs, skills and supply chain opportunities, the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone will contribute to the region as a powerhouse of renewable energy, using new generation powerful turbines and world-leading design, including a coordinated grid connection.

Enabling a skilled diverse Norfolk workforce is a priority and behind Vattenfall’s £1 million pledge in its Norfolk Skills and Employment strategy.

Its £15 million Community Benefit Fund will support communities and organisations in Norfolk to develop climate-smart projects and live greener lives.

Vattenfall has worked with schools, colleges and universities for seven years creating pathways into renewable energy careers by education and skills training to continue through its three-decade lifecycle.

It’s work in the UK is on track to help save 8 million tonnes of CO2 a year by 2030, equivalent to taking 4 million cars off the road.