List of Community Award Winners 2025:

• Outstanding Community Achievement Award
  • Joe Shepherd* (also see below)
• Outstanding Community Achievement AwardIndividual Volunteer of the Year
  • Ashely Crowdey (for her work with Girl Guides, the allotments and environmental initiatives).
  • Rebecca Howells (for her tireless work caring for injured and vulnerable hedgehogs).
  • Carl Lewis (for his work as a flood warden and involvement with remembrance events).
  • Omolola Oyewusi (for tackling loneliness in older people, supporting hundreds of families with food and care, empowering women and championing inclusion through numerous community projects).
  • Chris Parker (for supporting people living with dementia and their families).
  • Michael Pollard (nearly 20 years of consistent volunteering at Leybourne Lakes Country Park).
  • Liz Simpson (for leadership and dedication to the East Malling Centre)
  • Joe Shepherd * (for using his talent to bring joy, connection, and healing through music to the Larkfield and Leybourne communities).
  • Jill Waite (for her tireless efforts to care for others and enhance the Tonbridge community).
  • Phil Waite (for his continued acts of quiet service to the Tonbridge community through keeping the town clean, safe, and welcoming).
• Environmental Contribution
  • Communigrow (outstanding contribution to education, wellbeing, and community growth in their food education charity)
  • Emily Simons (for establishing and running the Hildenborough Litter Pickers)
  • Haysden Country Park Volunteers (commitment to conservation and community service over 20 years)
  • Tonbridge Repair Café (for innovation and community service, where volunteers come together to fix items, reduce waste, and support a more sustainable and connected community)
• Outstanding Community Group
  • 1st Snodland Scout Group (outstanding contribution to the Snodland community)
  • Babons Cancer Support (for their compassion and dedication, recognising the vital emotional and practical support they provide to individuals and families affected by cancer.)
  • Communigrow (exceptional work in education, wellbeing, and community support, using gardening)
  • Grow 19 (recognising their dedication to helping young adults with SEND build confidence, independence, and valuable life skills)
  • Tonbridge & Malling Dementia Friendly Community (recognising their work in providing cafés, music groups, training, and information that foster understanding, connection, and community inclusion)
  • Tonbridge Lions Club (for bringing people together, providing vital help in times of need, and making Tonbridge a better, kinder place for all.)
  • Tonbridge Model Engineering Society (recognising the joy they bring to people of all ages through their steam and electric train rides.)
  • Tonbridge Parkrun (12 years of volunteering in all weathers to provide a safe, welcoming space for people to run, walk, or volunteer together.)
  • Tonbridge Pride (Tonbridge Pride has become a powerful symbol of unity, positivity, and pride in the Tonbridge community.)
  • River Walk Music Festival (recognising their efforts in organising lively summer events that bring people of all ages together to enjoy music and friendship)
  • The Russett Players (recognising over 13 years of bringing people together through theatre in East Peckham.)
  • Sustain Food Bank Volunteer Team
• Young Community Champion (aged 17 and under)
  • Max Bryer (for regularly spending his free time litter picking and making Ditton a better place for everyone).
• Community Safety Award
  • Rachelle Harte  (for dedicated service improving security and public safety at the Tonbridge Christmas Festival).

Nominations for the Community Awards 2026 will open to residents of the borough soon and will be advertised on the council’s social media channels and website.

Source; Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council