Western Charity Awards reveal 2025 winners

Twenty-one frontline charities have been hailed as victorious at this year’s event.

During a ceremony held in Birmingham, dozens of charities, ranging from multiple different backgrounds, were announced as the winners of this year’s Western Charity Awards – an event established in 2014 by the Garfield Weston Foundation (GWF) to support small charities across the UK.

Image: a member of Standing Tall, a charity who was victorious at this year’s Weston Charity Awards.

The awards, which are now celebrating their 11^th year, initially launched in the North East of England however, they quickly expanded into other areas. Now, the ceremony includes charities from the North West, the Midlands and Wales. 

This year’s winners, which can be found in full here, have received over £44,500 in support. Charities have been given a support package, that is valued at over £22,000 and includes free access to the Pilotlight 360 programme – an eight-month scheme comprised of charity leadership coaching worth an estimated £16,000.

What’s more, winners have likewise been awarded a grant of £6,500 from the GWF.

Pilotlight, a charity that was established in 1996, have partnered with the GWF and help co-deliver the awards.

Clare Gough, director at the GWF, said: ‘Congratulations to all this year’s Weston Charity Award winners. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Pilolight to support these exceptional and varied charities. We understand the ever-increasing pressure on charities to deliver their crucial work. These awards give them the space to reflect, learn and forge a path to long-term sustainability and success.’

Some of the winners of this year’s event include:

• Home-Start Cymru – a support service in Wales that looks to help families
• Standing Tall – an organisation that works to tackle homelessness across the Midlands and North of England
• Woodland Heritage – a charity campaigning for sustainable wood use in the Midlands and Wales
• Tempus Novo – a rehabilitation service for ex-offenders in the Midlands, Wales and North of England
• The Good Shepherd – a foundation supporting the disadvantaged in Wolverhampton

Ed Mayo, chief executive of Pilotlight, added: ‘Whatever size, charities can have a big impact, but research shows that right now, two universal challenges are income generation and management skills gaps.’

‘Thanks to Pilotlight’s partnership with the GWF, these awards provide a lifeline needed for charities to overcome stumbling blocks and navigate times of uncertainty,’ Ed continued.

Image: the Great Weston Foundation/Pilotlight

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