ITV’s Ben McGrail hosted this first award ceremony which showcased the customers’ Garden Competition winners, the invaluable contribution of ‘involved customers’ to the landlord’s work, the Community Impact Group of the Year, community ‘heroes’ – Young Hero of the Year and Unsung Hero of the Year – and the overall Star of the Year.

Homes in Sedgemoor CEO Peter Hatch said: “Our first ever Star of the Year Awards was an inspirational evening which really highlighted the importance of community.

“All of our nominees were worthy winners and that made it so hard to choose the finalists. We feel so proud to have these incredible individuals in our Homes in Sedgemoor community and to know them all on a personal level.”

Customer John Hardy and his guide dog Sidney were joint winners of Star of the Year. John was the prime mover in setting up The Hub at Bridgwater which is now home to many of the town’s community groups and organisations.

Other winners included 13-year-old Brooke, Young Hero of the Year for raising hundreds of pounds for health charities through tea, coffee, cake and craft sales and event tombolas and raffles. Collecting her award, Brooke said her next event would raise funds for eating disorders charities.

Sydenham Improvement Group took the prize for the Community Group Impact Award for its emphasis on recruiting young people to do community work, and the Unsung Hero Award went to Kat Redding. Kat was nominated by a neighbour who she had helped with daily tasks at a difficult time even though she had only just moved into the community. “There aren’t many who would do that for a total stranger. The little things mean a lot,” said Kat’s neighbour.

August 2023