The 1V Awards Dinner, sponsored by Together Housing and Newground Together, has completed its stunning line-up of award sponsors. The organisations represent some of the biggest names in Blackburn with Darwen and beyond for the seven awards.

The 1V Awards Dinner is organised by charity One Voice Blackburn. The awards aim to create cohesive, aspirational and confident communities in Blackburn with Darwen. This year will see organisations across the Borough sponsoring awards in the following categories. The Aya Hachem Young Person of the Year award, 1V Group, 1V Man, The 1V Woman of the Year, and the 1V Health Award.

Reel Cinemas Blackburn are sponsoring the 1V Man of the Year 2023. “Reel Cinemas and One Voice Blackburn share many of the same core values. Serving the local community is at the heart of our business ethos and we are therefore delighted to sponsor the One Voice Blackburn Man Of The Year Award.”

The John Roberts Outstanding Achievement Award 2023 is sponsored by Let’s Foster and the Leader’s Award 2023 is sponsored by Blackburn with Darwen Council. 

Let’s Foster are a children’s foster service in Blackburn with Darwen who help to recruit foster carers for the most venerable children in the area. Regional Marketing Executive Mike Dixon said, “We are delighted to sponsor an award at the 1V Awards Dinner 2023. Over the last two years we have been unable to work within the communities from Blackburn with Darwen. Now things are starting to settle down we want to reconnect with our communities to help recruit foster carers for the most vulnerable children in our area. One Voice Blackburn and Let’s Foster for Blackburn with Darwen have a shared interest in keeping children and young people safe from harm. We believe that working closely together will enable us to reach more communities within Blackburn with Darwen to safeguard children effectively.” 

Each sponsor plays an important role in providing key services in the community and reflect One Voice Blackburn’s mission of striving to be a warm, compassionate, and engaging organisation which is valued and respected in all communities.

The Aya Hachem young Person of the Year is sponsored by Blackburn College. The 1V Woman of the Year is sponsored by Lancashire Mind, while the 1V Health Award is sponsored by Lancashire Mind.

The nomination process for the awards closes on 18th November, with a list shortlisted finalised released in December. The 1V Awards Dinner takes place on Saturday 25th February, where the winners will be announced in front of a 450 audience in King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

One Voice Blackburn Marketing Lead Sundas Bakhat welcomed the sponsors’ support. “One Voice Blackburn would like to say a big thank you to the organisations for sponsoring an award. The support makes it possible to reward those who are constantly working to make our community a better place.” 

The headline sponsor of the 1V Awards Dinner is Together Housing Association and Newground Together. They have previously been involved with the dinner and awards hosted by One Voice Blackburn.

Angela Gibbs, Board Member and EDI Champion to the Board said, “Building cohesion, improving health and well-being, helping people to reach their full potential – this is vitally important across all of our communities and Together Housing Group is delighted to headline sponsor this year’s 1V Awards Dinner to celebrate their truly inspirational work in Blackburn and Darwen.”