The Catalyst Conference and Awards is a highlight of the year for those involved in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in Stockton-on-Tees.

The Catalyst Conference and Awards provide the perfect opportunity for our sector to come together to network and meet other VCSE organisations, and to celebrate the success of the sector in the Borough for the outstanding work they have carried out in the previous year.

Catalyst 2023 Impact Awards!

Our 2023 Impact Awards are now open for nominations. We have revamped our awards to ensure we reach as many individuals, groups, charities and organisations as possible.

Anyone can nominate, please read our awards below and the criteria. Ready to nominate then click to access our form here. 

Nominations close 10am Monday 2nd October 2023.

Our judging panel to be announced soon will review all nominations and create a shortlist of 4, winners will be announced at our Award Ceremony on Thursday 16th November from 1pm as part of our Catalyst Conference. This year we have a new venue and celebration setup so we can celebrate the sector together!

Our Community Impact Award will be going out to the public vote! This award pretty much embraces anyone working in the VCSE sector and therefore we want those in the Borough to vote for the winner.

If you need assistance with making nominations please email comms@catalyststockton.org and we can help you with each application.

2023 Awards - Who will you nominate?

Sponsored by: Michael Poole Estate Agency

A chance to recognise an individual who is giving their time freely and is having an impact on their local community or support for a local group, charity, or organisation.

Criteria; Must be someone who gives their time in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough and under 18 years old.

Sponsored by: Could you sponsor? Message Us!

A chance to recognise an individual who is giving their time freely and is having an impact on their local community or support for a local group, charity, or organisation.

Criteria; Must be someone who gives their time in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough and 18 years old and over.

Sponsored by: Could you sponsor? Message Us!

Nominate an individual, group, charity, or organisation who have had a positive impact on Health & Wellbeing across the Stockton-on-Tees Borough. This could be a drop in session, support network, a group or activity that supports Health & Wellbeing, a sports or fitness programme or group.

Criteria; Must be delivering services in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough and not for profit.

Sponsored by: Teesside University

Nominate an individual, group, charity, or organisation who is taking positive action in the fight against Climate Change and protection of our environment here in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough. It could be litter picking, tackling food waste, eco education programmes, climate change awareness, art projects, growing food, nature recovery initiatives to increase insects, wildlife, wildlife protection, growing programmes to name a few.

Criteria; Must be delivering services in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough and not for profit.

Sponsored by: Stockton Riverside College etc.

Nominate an individual, group, charity, or organisation who have had a positive impact on Youth Services across the Stockton-on-Tees Borough. Youth is defined as under 18’s, or under 25’s for those with SEND. It could be an individual who makes a youth activity the best! It could be those who are creating opportunities, supporting disadvantaged groups, removing barriers in communities to name a few.

Criteria; Must be delivering services in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough and not for profit.

Sponsored by: Tees Valley Community Foundation

Nominate an individual, group, charity, or organisation who champion equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).  Everyone has a right to equality of opportunity and esteem without fearing harassment or prejudice. This is your chance to nominate those who are championing EDI and ensuring we are cohesive communities and no one is left out or behind.

Criteria; Must be delivering services in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough and not for profit.

Sponsored by: Darlington Building Society

Nominate a group, charity, or organisation who have had a significant and positive impact on your community here in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough. This award is for those who our communities would be lost or worse off without. This award will go out to a broader public vote for a winner!

Criteria; Must be delivering services in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough and not for profit.

Sponsored by: North Star Ventures

This award is to recognise the support from the public sector to the VCSE community. This could be the overall organisation or a department within. Examples of public sector are Police, Fire, Health Services, Local Government, Probation Service, Town or Parish Council, Borough Council, Libraries, Schools to name a few. You can nominate a team, department or overall organisation. This award recognises those who are going above and beyond to support the VCSE sector and work in collaboration.

Criteria; This is for a department or overall organisation as opposed to individuals. Must be delivering services in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough.

Sponsored by: Cornerstone Business Solutions

This award is to recognise the support the private sector/businesses have given to the VCSE sector. Has your organisation had support from a private business that has made a significant difference to your operations and activities? Maybe it’s volunteer days, support for building work, financial donation or ongoing commitment in other ways.

Criteria; This is for a private sector/businesses as opposed to individuals. Must be working in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough.

Sponsored by: Could you sponsor? Message Us!

This is a chance to recognise those working in the VCSE sector who go above and beyond. They may be a paid employee but their approach to work and dedication sets them out from others.

Criteria; An employee of a not for profit organisation delivering services in the Stockton-on-Tees Borough

Catalyst Conference & Achievement Awards 2022

Looking Back – Conference & Awards 2022

The 2022 Catalyst Conference and Awards took place on Friday 18th November at Stockton Baptist Church. At our conference in the morning, we were delighted to invite Internationally renowned designer, and founder of Red or Dead, Wayne Hemingway MBE to speak about sustainability.

We also welcomed Mike Greene and Garry Cummings, the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director from Stockton Borough Council to give a presentation on the developments in Stockton High Street.

  • Beth Dale – Regional Outreach Advisor from the DBS service
  • Ashley Staines – Co-Founder of Volunteero
  • Lorraine McConnell – National Lottery Funding Officer

In the afternoon we were thrilled to hear from Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Councillor Ross Paterson who welcomed everyone in attendance and those watching via livestream to the Catalyst Achievement Awards. We also had the honour and privilege heard from Mrs Sue Snowden, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham.

We heard from 27 finalists in 9 categories which highlighted the fantastic work that not only the VCSE sector but Public and Private sector to. The judging panel had the unenviable task of whittling 27 finalists down to 1 winner per category but we would like to congratulate, not just the winners but the finalists as well, and everyone who was nominated for their hard work in the last 12 months.

The winners of the 2022 Catalyst Awards are:

  • Volunteer of the year – Derick Walker, FRADE
  • Young Volunteer of the year – Abbiegail Jinks – HYPE Youth Project
  • VCSE Employee of the year – Colin Liddle, BCT Aspire
  • Outstanding contribution to the community by a VCSE organisation in 2021/22 – ARCH Teesside
  • Outstanding contribution to the community by a public sector organisation in 2021/22 – North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Volunteer Service
  • Outstanding contribution to the community by a private company in 2021/22 – Premier Stores, Norton Road
  • Innovation of the year, in the VCSE sector – Billingham Boxing Academy
  • Best new VCSE organisation of the year – Yarm Wellness
  • Community Group of the year – The Lighthouse Drop-In Centre

Celebrating the outstanding work of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector.

Catalyst Conference & Achievement Awards 2021 Gallery

Catalyst Conference & Awards

The Annual Catalyst Conference is the chance for Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Stockton-on-Tees to come together.

At the conference VCSE organisations have the opportunity to discuss issues, to network, and to learn more about what is happening in our Borough. Each year the Conference is themed around a topic relevant to the VCSE that year.

The conference gives attendees the chance to listen to speakers, attend workshops, network and visit stalls from charities and organisations from within our Borough.

Contact Mark.Ferguson@CatalystStockton.org for more information.

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