We’d like to congratulate all the winners of The Hampshire Changemakers Awards 2026 and thank them for all the fantastic work they do across the county. We received nearly 200 nominations this year and each one was carefully deliberated by our team of independent judges from organisations across Hampshire.
Read about each winner and what the judges’ comments were across all categories:
Healthy Futures Award
Judged by Simon Bryant, Director of Public Health, Hampshire County Council
Winner: Munch CIC
“Tackling health inequalities is not an easy task this programme work with communities with people on low incomes, helping them to build the skills and confidence they need to cook from scratch, and access good, healthy food. This is a broad programme helping people learn about the financial, environmental and health benefits healthy eating. They have recently developed The Munch Method, a Community Cooking Toolkit and Facilitator Training Programme helping other community groups run cooking workshops, with the aim to expand their impact and reach more people within the community.”
Community Project of the Year
Judged by Marie Greenhalgh, Inclusion Education
Winner: Fair Ways
“Fair Ways’ fostering initiative stood out for its exceptional vision and measurable impact. By securing over 100 employer commitments and helping Portsmouth become the UK’s first Fostering Friendly City, Gareth Webb has transformed awareness into real, structural change for foster carers and the children they support.
“As someone who was fostered and adopted myself, and through my work at Inclusion Education and my writing on traumainformed practice and bereavement, I know how vital stable, supported relationships are for a child’s wellbeing. This project strengthens exactly that, the community around a child. It is innovative, compassionate, and genuinely lifechanging, and that is why Fair Ways is our Community Project of the Year.”
Youth Leader Award
Judged by Frankie and Jessica, Yellow Door
Winner: Reubin Yarnold, SoCo Music Project
“As part of the judging panel, we have selected Reubin for the Youth Leadership Changemaker’s Award based on the clear impact, consistency, and values demonstrated in this nomination.
The submission highlights Reubin as a young leader who is making a meaningful difference in the lives of other young people facing significant challenges and reaching those most vulnerable. He seems as if he is building strong and trusting relationships and is working to help young people develop confidence and positive pathways forward.
We would like to recognise Reubin’s effective use of creativity as a tool for change, particularly his ability to empower young people through music and how challenging this must be at times. His demonstrated leadership of the youth-led music festival shows strong mentorship, practical skills, and a commitment to giving young people genuine responsibility and ownership.
Overall, this nomination presents Reubin as a positive role model and an emerging leader whose passion, integrity, and dedication are creating lasting impact. These qualities make him a deserving recipient of the Leadership Changemaker’s Award.”
Environmental Sustainability
Judged by Caroline Winchurch, CIP Hart Voluntary Action
Winner: Stu Mills, Winchester Action on Climate Change
“The clear outline of the impact of the Community Solar Support scheme has given this nomination the edge over the others, especially as impact exceeded the expectations of the original project plan and has demonstrated longer term impacts for the community organisations involved.
The Community Solar Support scheme saw project officer, Stu Mills offering free advice and hands on support to help community organisations in the Winchester area upgrade their buildings with solar panels and battery storage. This will also help reduce energy bills and cut environmental impact.
WinACC partnered with Winchester City Council to run this project, funded by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
588m² of solar panels were installed – the target was 60m²
These solar panels are estimated to save 14.7 tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) per year – the target was 3.75 tonnes.”
Wellbeing Champion
Judged by Anna Hewison and John Linford from Palladium Group
Winner: Keith Hawkins, Models for Heroes
“For over eight years, Mr Hawkins has volunteered selflessly with Models for Heroes by dedicating his time and energy to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of veterans, emergency service personnel, and members of the wider community.
Through his leadership and gentle guidance, he has helped hundreds rediscover purpose and confidence by introducing them to the restorative hobby of model making. His sessions in Hampshire are a place of calm, companionship, and recovery in curated safe spaces where people rebuild both skills and self-belief.
In addition to his regular sessions, Mr Hawkins organises the “Donate & Create” events in partnership with the Army Flying Museum, bringing families together through creativity. These events not only introduce the miniature hobby to new generations but also strengthen community bonds and promote intergenerational wellbeing.
Keith’s impact extends far beyond his immediate circle. His humility, humour, compassion, and sense of service embody the finest traditions of civic duty. Through quiet dedication, he has made a measurable difference to the wellbeing of individuals and the cohesion of our communities.”
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Judged by Nagina Kaleem
Winner: Autism Hampshire
“In my view this project is ranked first because it is making a real difference and lasting impact. The training is led by autistic people and people with learning disabilities with lived experience at the centre of the learning.
The team delivers Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Tier 2, reaching many healthcare professionals and improving how they understand and support autistic and disabled people.
The training is co-produced and uses real experiences. The special thing about this project is that the team does not deliver standard content, instead they design and continuously adapt the training using lived experience, research from autistic academics and feedback from people’s healthcare journeys.
The impact of the training is clear. Feedback shows the sessions are transformational with staff making immediate changes to their practice.
The team of trainers share their own experiences with courage and honesty and are helping to reduce inequality, harmful assumptions by professionals and improving the health care system.
This project stands out because it is creating meaningful, system-wide change and honours Oliver McGowan’s legacy with integrity and real action.”
Innovation in Community Partnership and Development
Judged by Helen Coleman, Hampshire & Isle of Wight ICB
Winner: Dr. Toju Ogbe, Kikoi Connection CIC
“Dr Toju is a respected leader and tireless volunteer, who has knit Basingstoke into a more connected, inclusive town by championing cohesion, social justice, and the dignity of every voice. He led Basingstoke World Party, now a flagship celebration bringing residents together across cultures to build lasting relationships. He helped organise the annual Interfaith Walk, fostering understanding and solidarity between people of different faiths and worldviews. As a pioneer member of Basingstoke Multi-Agency Forum (now Basingstoke Multicultural Forum, BMF), he strengthened cross sector partnership for long term community benefit.
A passionate advocate for inclusive civic participation, Toju has facilitated nonpartisan hustings and engagement initiatives during general and PCC elections, building informed participation and confidence in democracy especially among underrepresented groups. His compassion extends beyond borders by being consistently at the heart of local fundraising responses to global crises, including the Nepal Earthquake Appeal, Help for Ukraine, and Hurricane Melissa Relief.
Alongside grassroots action, Toju serves strategically as a volunteer Trustee of Citizens Advice, providing governance and direction that enable vital support for thousands facing poverty, housing insecurity, debt, and discrimination. As a founding member of Kikoi Connection, he helped establish Rooted and Rising, a program designed to empower young people to thrive. Within this initiative, he led a workshop for young men, providing financial acumen and opportunities to build confidence and resilience.
Through sustained service and practical support, Dr Toju has inspired countless others and created lasting positive change, laying a foundation of unity and resilience that will benefit Basingstoke for generations.”
Heart of the Community
Judged Tom Kitcher, Hugh Bethel, and Sarah Quarterman
Winner: The Venerable Bob White
“The Heart of the Community Award panel had the unenviable task of adjudicating between 45 nominations who have all made notable contributions to their communities.
After due consideration, we are delighted to award the the Heart of the Community Award to Father Bob White, who has been a vicar at St. Mary’s Portsea for more than 20 years and has had a significant role in fostering good community relations as well as individuals in the voluntary sector making sure quieter voices are heard. His church has had a strong role in inter-faith work in his community, and he lives and works in Portsmouth meaning that he understands the needs of those at the heart of the city.
Bob’s nomination included his work chairing a wide range of local and regional bodies, and his ability to bring together diverse communities and use ideas to create meaningful change. Over 40 years he has driven forward many initiatives and community developments and has always been open to new ideas and approaches, including work with HIVE, Fratton Together, St. Mary’s Music Foundation and many others.
We felt Bob epitomised someone who has had the needs of the community in which he lives and works at the forefront of his mind always and longevity of his work in Portsmouth was particularly commendable.”
Lived experience leader
Judged by Clare Canning, Broadleaf Home Ed Co-operative
Winner: Jodie Hughes, Endometriosis South Coast
“I have chosen to name Jodie Hughes as this year’s Lived Experience Leader Award. I admire her selfless dedication to changing pain into something positive. Jodie has taken years of being unheard, being dismissed and having to live with profound pain, and turned that experience into something deeply purposeful. What I find so powerful about Jodie’s work is the way her impact spans every level, from the very real, human support she offers within her community through Endometriosis South Coast, to her PhD research which is helping shape how endometriosis care is understood on a national level. Through this work, she impacts the whole journey of women and girls with endometriosis. Jodie brings lived experience, advocacy and research together with integrity and compassion, taking steps to ensure women are believed, supported and listened to at every stage of their journey. Jodie works not only to spread awareness of systems which fail women, but also works to change them on every level, and her impact is thoughtful, courageous and life changing.”
Business Excellence in the Community
Judged by Cllr Nick Adams-King
Winner: Blankson’s Linen Hire & Laundry
“Blankson’s demonstrates strong business leadership through the practical and measurable integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles across its operations, workforce culture, and community engagement.
Environmentally, Blankson’s has made demonstrable progress in reducing its footprint. A January 2025 sustainability audit by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council reported effective encouragement of sustainable staff travel, including car-sharing, cycling, and walking. The audit also noted zonal heating using thermostatic radiator valves, heating switched off when buildings are not in use, and water-recovery measures embedded within laundry processes, alongside accessible water dispensers.
Social responsibility is reflected in sustained, hands-on action. During the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the directors volunteered through the Spotlight Charity, delivering food parcels to vulnerable residents. The business has also provided over £2,000 in free services to a local shelter charity by laundering bedding and duvets, directly supporting people experiencing housing insecurity.
Strong governance and civic leadership underpin this impact. Both directors have served as school governors for two local schools, contributing a combined 12 years of voluntary service, supporting safeguarding, accountability, and improved educational outcomes. They also co-founded Basingstoke Unites Against Racism, delivering education programmes that address discrimination, police stop-and-search awareness, youth rights, and trust-building between young people and the police.
In addition, one director serves as Co-Chair of the Basingstoke Hate Crime Working Group, contributing to strategic coordination, prevention, and community education alongside statutory and voluntary partners.
Blankson’s impact extends internationally through its support for an ICT centre in rural Ghana, improving digital access and educational opportunity for young people.
Through audited sustainability practices, ethical governance, and tangible community investment, Blankson’s delivers business excellence that benefits people and place.”
