LATEST NEWS
FINALISTS REVEALED
We’re excited to announce the finalists for the 1V Awards Dinner 2026, Blackburn’s biggest celebration of community excellence, organised by One Voice Blackburn. After a break last year, the awards are back and promise an unforgettable evening recognising the incredible people and groups making a difference across our borough.
The event will take place in late Spring at the newly renovated Exchange Building, one of Blackburn’s most iconic venues. Over 400 guests will gather to celebrate individuals and organisations who go above and beyond to strengthen communities and improve lives.
Sponsors Support the Community by Backing the 1V Awards
The 1V Awards 2026 shine a powerful spotlight on the inspirational individuals and organisations shaping life in Blackburn with Darwen. This year’s sponsors behind the honours are as passionate as the nominees themselves. Through heartfelt reflections, they reveal why supporting these awards goes far beyond sponsorship, capturing the stories, purpose and community spirit that make each accolade a true celebration of those who make a lasting difference.
PRESS RELEASE
Nominations Open for 2026 Leader’s Award
One Voice Blackburn is proud to partner with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to announce that nominations are now open for the prestigious Leader’s Award 2026.
The Leader’s Award celebrates individuals and organisations that demonstrate exceptional leadership, make an extraordinary contribution to the borough, and enhance the reputation of the town and its communities. A central focus of the award is to recognise those who embody the values of integration and cohesion in Blackburn with Darwen.
New Venue, New Partner, New Look
The premier Blackburn with Darwen Awards event is back after a fallow year, with a new venue and a new partnership.
The 1V Awards Dinner will take place in March 2026. The Awards will feature a new partnership between One Voice Blackburn and Spring North, and the ceremony will take place away from its usual location of King George’s Hall in Blackburn.
The Billy Project Wins Leader’s Award
A grassroots organisation that runs transformative health and wellbeing projects for vulnerable women in Blackburn with Darwen is the winner of this year’s One Voice Leader’s Award.
80s Themed Awards Dinner Toasts Blackburn’s Best
Audiences were taken Back to 1984 in an award ceremony which celebrated the achievements of individuals and organisations in Blackburn and Darwen.
The 11th 1V Awards Dinner, sponsored by Together Housing and Newground, and supported by the Council, took place on Saturday in King Georg’s Hall.
Eight accolades were handed out to volunteers and workers in Blackburn and Darwen by charity One Voice Blackburn in what is now considered as the premier Awards ceremony in the town.
SECRET SANTA WINS OUTSTANDING AWARD
We are delighted to announce Secret Santa are the winners of the John Roberts Outstanding Achievement Award 2024, sponsored by Let’s Foster. Karen and Phil Boulding will receive their trophy at the 1V Awards Dinner later this month.
Abrar Hussain, chair of One Voice Blackburn and the 1V Awards panel praised the winners. “You can’t help but be utterly impressed with the work of Secret Santa. They support some of the most vulnerable people in society in key times of the year. They have been consistently delivered to communities in all parts of Blackburn with Darwen. They have also grown their team to ensure that more and more young people are supported at Christmas and Eid.”
Let’s Foster, who are sponsoring the award also congratulated Secret Santa with Suzanne Kinder, Head of Service for Corporate Parenting and Permanence, saying: “We are really pleased for Phil and Karen, they do so much to help the local children of Blackburn with Darwen every year. Their hard work is not just limited to Christmas, they have also handed out 1000 Easter Eggs at Easter and 300 gift bags with toys and gifts during Eid. It has been fantastic to see the growth of Secret Santa and the introduction of their shop in Blackburn Town Centre.”
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Finalists Receive Certificates
Finalists of the 1V Awards were invited to a special Certificate Presentation event at King George’s Hall where they received their framed certificates from the sponsors of the individual Awards.
The drinks reception was held on Monday 29 January where finalists also met some of the judges, and had an opportunity to get a first look at the 1V Awards trophies.
Kasira Ahmed from Together Housing and One Voice Chair Abrar Hussain are pictured above.
Youngsters at Centre Stage for Biggest Awards Event
A group of teenagers will be hosting the 1V Awards Dinner in February.
Aisha Hussain will be the youngest host for the biggest community awards event in Blackburn.
Aisha, 13, will be joined by Zainab Hanslod, 15, Mustafa Ahmed, 15, and Zainab Ahmed, 15. They will be representing the various youth groups run by One Voice Blackburn. READ MORE
Leader’s Award Nominations Open
Phil Riley holding the Leader's Award Trophy
One Voice Blackburn is pleased to link up with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to announce the nomination process for the Leader’s Award 2024.
The 1V Awards Dinner 2024 – Back to 1984 – will take place on 17 February 2024. Nominations for the 1V Awards close on 17 November 2023. This is the 11th Awards Dinner organised by the charity, taking place in Blackburn’s King George’s Hall. The event is sponsored by Together Housing and Newground Together, and supported by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. …. READ MORE
80s Theme for Awards Dinner
One Voice Blackburn has announced its theme for the 1V Awards Dinner 2024.
We are going Back to 1984.
The 1V Awards Dinner 2024 – Back to 1984 – will take place on 17 February 2024. Nominations for the 1V Awards close on 17 November 2023. This is the 11th Awards Dinner organised by the charity, taking place in Blackburn’s King George’s Hall. The event is sponsored by Together Housing and Newground Together, and supported by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. …. READ MORE