Small Group Shortlist 2025

Little Warriors organises a weekly sensory play and support group for neurodiverse children and their families. More than 170 families feel welcomed and accepted in the special environment that Little Warriors creates. Throughout the year, kids are able to celebrate fun experiences like Christmas, Halloween, Easter egg hunts and summer camps that cater specifically to young people with complex additional needs. Because these events are welcoming and inclusive, families who once might have felt isolated because their children were challenged by traditional events now have a community of warmth and care. And lots of fun! Little Warriors also advocates for kids and families with complex needs by providing education and support to businesses and organisations who want to be more accessible, which only makes the greater community stronger.  

They recently fundraised to create a mobile sensory van called The Sensory Express which now supports their community at events and activities throughout the year, giving everyone the same chance to experience the festivities. For many families, this might be the first time they feel comfortable participating in a community event knowing that The Sensory Express is there for a child “to regulate, play in a non-judgmental and supportive environment and when ready, to try again at the festivities, keeping the family unit whole” writes their nominator.

In both the In-Patient Unit and Out-Patients in St Francis Hospice, the presence of six volunteer hairdressers has created an extraordinary impact that goes far beyond simply cutting or styling hair. Their contribution has been about restoring dignity, sparking joy, and offering moments of normality in the midst of very difficult circumstances. At a time when patients and their families are often navigating uncertainty, loss, and sadness, these volunteers have become a source of comfort, connection, and positivity.  For many patients, illness can take away a sense of control. Physical changes brought on by treatment, fatigue, or long hospital stays can leave people feeling disconnected from their identity. The hairdressers step in not only with scissors and combs but with compassion and understanding. A haircut, wash, or blow dry becomes a powerful act of care that helps patients feel like themselves again. Looking in the mirror and seeing a refreshed version of themselves can lift self-esteem, restore confidence, and bring back a sense of personal identity that illness sometimes erodes.  Patients often describe feeling lighter, brighter, or simply “more normal” after their appointment. 

The Volunteer Listeners embody the heart of The Thomas Hayes Trust (Teac Tom)’s vision: to provide a listening ear, a kind word and a space of safety for anyone who is struggling with their mental health. Their work reflects the belief that compassion, freely given, has the power to change—and save—lives.  

The impact of this group extends far beyond the immediate phone call. By being available after hours, they help de-escalate crises and provide early intervention that can prevent self-harm or suicide. Many callers express that they “just needed someone to talk to,” and the listeners are that someone—steady, kind and understanding. While professional counselling is available through Teac Tom during the day, it is the Volunteer Listeners who extend the organisation’s lifeline into the night hours when people are most likely to feel overwhelmed, alone and in crisis. Their willingness to volunteer their nights, to listen to stories of pain and confusion and to do so week after week without expectation of reward, is an extraordinary act of service.