Spring North 2026 Awards
At Spring North, everything we do is about supporting the people and organisations that strengthen communities across Lancashire and South Cumbria. We recognise that the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector plays a vital core role in addressing health inequalities, supporting vulnerable individuals and communities, through inspiring innovative community based solutions.
That’s why we’re proud to become the new partner for the 1V Awards Dinner 2026, collaborating with One Voice Blackburn to bring this much-loved celebration back with a fresh new look.
For us, these awards mean more than just trophies. They represent recognition, encouragement, and visibility for the sector we support every day.
By stepping into this partnership, Spring North is ensuring that the achievements of VCFSE organisations and individuals are celebrated on one of the region’s biggest stages. As part of the evening, there will be a special Spring North segment of the ceremony, dedicated to the incredible work that the VCFSE sector delivers in supporting thousands of vulnerable children, young people and families throughout Lancashire & South Cumbria.
So as a VCFSE organisation this is your opportunity to shout about the amazing work that you do, by simply completing and submitting an application form sharing the difference you make.
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Award Categories
Health and Wellbeing Award
Good health is about more than just avoiding illness; it’s about feeling good in body, mind, and daily life. For many people, especially in deprived communities, there are barriers and inequalities that make this more difficult to achieve.
This award aims to recognise organisations who are helping to reduce health inequalities in deprived communities and demonstrate positive improvements in health outcomes. We’re looking for work that not only support people’s wellbeing but also closes gaps in health for those frequently left behind.
You might have provided free health checks, organised activities to improve children’s wellbeing, supported people with long-term conditions, or made it easier for people to access health services. Whatever you’ve done, we want to hear how it has created a real and lasting impact.
Judges will look for:
- Clear improvements in people’s health and wellbeing
- A focus on reducing health inequalities in disadvantaged communities
- Reaching people who face the biggest barriers to good health
- Real-life stories or data showing the difference you’ve made
- New or effective ways of providing health and wellbeing support
- Lasting benefits beyond the life of the project
Innovative Delivery Award
Sometimes the best solutions come from a new idea or different approach. This award recognises organisations that have experimented with something new, whether that’s a significant change, a small adjustment, or an unexpected partnership, and have succeeded in benefiting their community.
It focuses on developing innovative and creative solutions and delivery models to achieve real outcomes and impact. It’s not just about having a great idea; it’s about implementing it, overcoming challenges, and ensuring it delivers genuine benefits to the people you serve.
You might have developed a new way to reach isolated residents, trained local volunteers to share health messages, or brought different partners together to run a project. Whatever your approach, tell us how it worked in practice and what difference it made.
Judges will look for:
- A clear explanation of what’s new or different about your approach
- Proof that your idea has made a positive difference
- Creative problem-solving to overcome barriers
- Working with others to make the idea stronger
- Potential for your idea to be repeated or adapted elsewhere
- Better results than previous or traditional approaches
Impact Award
Some projects create lasting change, a change you can still see months or years later. This award recognises organisations whose work has resulted in real, long-term improvements for individuals or communities.
This is about creating meaningful, measurable, and lasting change that tackles the root causes of issues and continues to benefit people over time. We’re looking for examples of work that leaves a lasting impact and continues to make a difference long after the initial project.
You might have reduced avoidable hospital visits, helped young people build lasting confidence, or enhanced early diagnosis of health conditions. Whatever your work involves, we want to hear how it has created a lasting impact.
Judges will look for:
- Evidence of long-term positive change
- Measurable results (numbers, evaluations, or stories)
- Tackling the causes of problems, not just the symptoms
- Showing that benefits will continue
- Involving the community in shaping and sustaining the work
- Real examples of lives improved as a result
The Awards Dinner will be held at The Exchange in Blackburn. The building is one of the oldest in the town, having opened its doors in October 1865. The dinner has previously taken place in King George’s Hall, which is currently undergoing significant refurbishment.
Alongside the three Spring North award categories – Health, Impact and Innovation, there will be a special overall award, Not-for-Profit of the Year.
The winner of each category will automatically be considered for this top award, which recognises organisations whose work has had a significant and enduring impact across Lancashire and South Cumbria. The winner of the Not-for-Profit of the Year Award will receive a £2,500 grant to support and expand their work, ensuring the recognition they receive on the night leaves a lasting legacy.
Each winner of the three main Spring North award categories will also receive a professionally produced impact video of their choice, valued at £1,500. This video will help winners share their story, highlight their work, and showcase the difference they are making in their communities. It provides lasting recognition and a resource they can use long after the awards night.
Applications are now open! We welcome applications from all shapes, sizes and types of VCFSE organisations from grassroots groups, CIC’s, Social Enterprises to large charities, operating in Lancashire and South Cumbria. It’s a great opportunity to shine a light on the work you do, sharing the difference you make deserves to be celebrated!
All shortlisted finalists will receive 2 FREE complementary tickets to attend the award ceremony.
Applications will close on 28th November 2025.
All the information gathered in the nomination process will then be passed onto the judging panel. The judging panel will contact shortlisted finalists in December 2025.
The judging panel is made up of influential people from across the sector, including Spring North’s Chair of Trustees, our Chief Executive, representatives from the ICB, Public Health, Local Authorities and members of our wider network.
The panel will read all applications and select four shortlisted finalists for each category, shortlisted finalists are then further reviewed and an overall category winner will be selected, which will then be locked away until the night of the award ceremony.
For more information about Spring North 2026 Awards please contact our Marketing and Communications Manager Chelsea Crossey via email chelsea.crossey@springnorth.org.uk or call 01254 784105
“This is the first time Spring North has stepped into the world of VCFSE awards, and we’re doing it because the sector deserves to be celebrated. Our four award categories Health, Impact, Innovation, and Not-for-Profit of the Year, will shine a light on the inspiring, life-changing work happening across Lancashire and South Cumbria. By partnering with 1V Blackburn, we can put the incredible achievements of our sector in the spotlight. Each winner will receive a unique one-off designed award and a prize package worth up to £2,500, ensuring their contribution is recognised, valued, and shared widely.”
Martin Hartley-Smith CEO of Spring North