Stockport Rocks 2025 – Honouring the heart of our community

Stockport came together this week to celebrate our volunteers at the 2025 Stockport Rocks Awards.

Hosted at Stockport County and organised by Stockport Volunteer Hub and Sector 3, this heart-warming event spotlighted everything from community gardeners and sports coaches to spreadsheet superheroes and student eco-warriors.

There are around 57,000 people in Stockport’s volunteering community! Our volunteers are the backbone of so many vital services right in the heart of our neighbourhoods. Without them, our communities would struggle.

Those shortlisted for a Stockport Rocks award received a certificate as well as a Life Leisure pass, a National Trust Lyme Park pass and a voucher from Room to Reward, who donate surplus hotel rooms to volunteers.

This year’s shortlist represents the dynamic breadth of volunteerism in Stockport. From digital inclusion champions and community gardeners, to inclusive sports coaches, good neighbours, and tireless fundraisers. Their contributions span generations, cultures and causes.

Bernard Kivel, winner of the One Stockport Award and Volunteer of the Year Award, said:

“I’m so proud of everyone who works with me at Heaton Norris Community Centre, and everybody I work with. They make things amazing. We just open doors. And things happen when we open that door.”

Stockport Pride on winning Voluntary Organisation of the Year.

“It really means a lot to us. Volunteers are the thing that really keep Stockport Pride going. They’re the people that work throughout the year to organise things, they’re the people who volunteer on the day and also the voluntary organisations on the day that attend. It’s all about volunteers.”

2025 Stockport Rocks Award Winners:

• Volunteer of the Year – Bernard Kivel, Heaton Norris Community Centre
• Corporate Volunteer – CDL for their work with Seashell Trust
• Environmental Champion – Kell Degnen, Marbury Road Edible Garden
• Fundraiser of the Year – David & Anita Hird, Chelwood Foodbankplus
• Good Neighbour – Jeffrey Boardman
• Health & Wellbeing Award – Gillian Oatley, Lips Inked Arts
• Long Service Award – Stephen Davies, Headway Stockport
• One Stockport Award – Bernard Kivel, Heaton Norris Community Centre
• Stockport Moves Award – Annie-Marie Booth, Stockport County Community Trust
• Unsung Hero Award – Lizzy Akindele, Stockport Race Equality Partnership
• Voluntary Organisation of the Year Award – Stockport Pride
• Young Volunteer of the Year – Josie Annis, National Association for People Abused in Childhood

View the full shortlist at www.stockportvolunteerhub.org.uk