Proud of Bucks Awards

The Proud of Bucks Awards celebrate the people and communities across Buckinghamshire who show care, creativity and commitment to their local areas.

These awards recognise and applaud the outstanding contributions made by volunteers who make a real difference.

We are pleased to announce our fantastic finalists and winners:

Shortlisted Nominees – Donnell Takudzwa Mungure, Switch Lanes CIC, Kindness in Bucks CIC

Winner was – Switch Lanes CIC

Switch Lanes CIC have been nominated for the delivery of a youth hangout space in Castlefield, High Wycombe. This facility has provided young people with a safe place to connect, talk and channel their skills through an engaging car renovation project offering a consistent and positive diversion at potentially crucial turning points in their lives. This work has formed a key part of a Police-led approach to reducing serious violence in the area involving young people and forming partnerships now in place to expand their positive impact across the County. Their next project launches tomorrow in Chesham working with Opportunity Bucks, East Chilterns Community Board and Chesham Youth Centre.

Shortlisted Nominees – Elijah Head, Niamh Summerfield, Oscar Boyson

Winner was – Oscar Boyson

Oscar Boyson is just 9 years old and yet, he is already making a remarkable difference in his community. He tirelessly litter picks no matter what the weather holds and maintains such determination to help keep the local streets clean and cared for. Despite facing many challenges as a child with additional needs, Oscar has shown incredible resilience and strength by overcoming so much in his young life. With a kind and caring nature, Oscar inspires those around him and encourages others in the community to get involved and make a difference. Oscars demonstrates such dedication with a positive spirit, a huge smile and is an inspiration to all.

Shortlisted Nominees – Sustainable Amersham, Wild Marlow, Marieke Bosman

Winner was – Marieke Bosman

Marieke was the originator and initial driving force behind Wild Amersham. This is a community group focussing on helping local residents explore, protect and restore nature within their local area. Marieke has organised 22 talks, walks and practical activity sessions in the past 12 months. Her input has included teaching sessions about bats, amphibians, botany, hedge laying and chalk rivers collaborating with local experts. In addition, Marieke has been involved in a collaboration with Amersham Museum which has provided at least 6 events over the last 12 months with young adults in Amersham. Without the sheer dedication of this individual, these activities and projects would not have got off the ground or achieve such significant results. At the heart of her volunteering, Marieke exhumes personal qualities of inclusion and support which encourages an array of individuals to take part in the activities.

Shortlisted Nominees – Treehouse Playschool, Lindengate Health Charity, Amy Scullard

Winner was – Amy Scullard

Amy has created and delivered exceptional community-based initiatives impacting the wider Buckinghamshire area. Some of the most vulnerable local families have received direct support and Amy’s work has had a direct practical and lasting impact on children living with a critical illness and parents experiencing perinatal mental health challenges.

Some of the initiatives include:

• designing and launching a virtual reality headset library enabling children to experience escapism and joy during hospital stays
• providing emotional support to parents facing medical diagnosis for their children, through ongoing treatment or sadly due to bereavement any time, day, or night

Amy’s inspiration came from personal experience, deep empathy, and a strong belief that a family should not face a crisis alone due to her own Son, Emmett, who was diagnosed and received treatment for stage 4 cancer. Amy was inspired to transform adversity into positive action for the benefit of others.

Shortlisted Nominees – Cublington Chatty Café, The Grandparents Group, Slapton Lunch Club – Margaret Newton

Winner was – Slapton Lunch Club – Margaret Newton

Led with resilience and dedication by Margaret, Slapton Lunch Club was born in the aftermath of the pandemic where it was recognised that isolation was an issue in the local community.

This involved creating a space where people could come together, share a meal and enjoy each other’s company. The lunch club brought together volunteers who would cook and serve a two-course hot meal, all built on kindness, generosity and true community spirit. What began as a small initiative has grown into something many villagers now look forward to, not just because of the home cooked meal, but, for the friendship, laughter and connection it brings.

The impact spreads even further supporting the local food bank and creating special moments throughout the year including festive gatherings that bring further joy to the community. Despite personal loss, Margaret has continued to lead with strength and determination, inspiring those around her and ensuring this wonderful initiative continues.

Shortlisted Nominees – Penn Parish Council – Cllr Mike Tarry, Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council, Chalfont St Peter Parish Council and CAPP Group

Winner was – Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council

Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council has demonstrated what can be achieved through vision, careful planning and true community partnership. Over a few years, they have led the transformation of Wooburn Park into a vibrant, inclusive and much-loved space at the heart of the community.

As the largest green space within the parish, Wooburn Park now offers something for everyone including a children’s play area and outdoor fitness equipment to football, cricket, tennis and pickleball facilities. The park is a place where families can gather, clubs thrive and residents of all ages can enjoy the benefits of being active outdoors.

The Parish Council has shown a deep commitment to listening and what is important for the local residents through open meetings, consultation and ongoing engagement. Working with residents, the area has been co-designed also considering biodiversity initiatives such as the new wildflower meadow.

Shortlisted Nominees – Chalfont St Peter Community Library, Saheli Unity Events, Wycombe Pride

Winner was – Chalfont St Peter Community Library

Chalfont St Peter Community Library is volunteer run and led and a hub that has brought people together for over a decade. It offers not just books and digital resources, but a warm safe space where residents of all ages can connect and feel supported. The library provides a wide range of activities from Bounce and Rhyme for young children to social cafés, craft groups and local history sessions.

All of which help to reduce social isolation and create and fuel local friendships. Beyond the facility, the dedicated volunteers provide pop up libraries in local businesses and a village newsletter to help bond strong partnerships and networking impacting locally and internationally. At its heart, this is a truly community driven space, strengthening connections and ensuring everyone has somewhere they belong.

Shortlisted Nominees – Central Training Group and KC WEX Training, Beaconsfield Performing Arts, St Marys C.E School – Zoe Culliton

Winner was – St Marys C.E School – Zoe Culliton

Zoe is the school’s Family Liaison Office and Teaching Assistant and through her dedication, a Young Carers group was established and has grown into a remarkable community of compassion, resilience and quiet leadership.

These young people shoulder responsibilities far beyond their years by supporting loved ones at home while still navigating the challenges of school and developing life skills yet despite the weight they often carry, they continue to support and back each other.

Zoe has ensured that the group meet in a nurturing and supportive environment. One where carers feel seen, understood and uplifted. Within this space, they have built confidence, formed strong peer connections with others who share similar experiences and developed their own ideas about how to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Shortlisted Nominees – Jo Cheek – Bedgrove Residents Association, Annie Yoxall – Chesham Army Cadet Unit, Michelle Robinson-Boyce

Winner was – Michelle Robinson-Boyce

Michelle has made an exceptional contribution to the community in creating the Scout group for young people with Special Educational Needs. Having an understanding that some youngsters cannot access mainstream Scouting, she took the initiative to build an inclusive and supportive environment where they have a sense of belonging.

As well as setting up the group and adapting activities for those attending, her dedication has opened opportunities for young people to make friends, grow in confidence and develop new skills. Michelle’s work has had a lasting impact, giving families access to opportunities that simply did not exist before and making the community more inclusive for all.

Shortlisted Nominees – Clare Clarke, Richard Bowerman, Sally Alford

Winner was – Clare Clarke

Clare has dedicated a huge amount of her life to serving young people, volunteers and communities across Buckinghamshire through her compassionate leadership in Scouting.

Which has created opportunities for thousands of young people to grow, belong and thrive. Clare has led on major county wide events and has faced and overcome many challenges along the way.

Clare has always gone above and beyond supporting teams, mentoring leaders and future leaders and ensuring continuity for young Scouts with a calm and steady presence and willingness to make a real difference. Clares lifetime of service reflects true commitment, humility and dedication and the impact of her work will be felt for generations to come.