The NEWC Board received some wonderful nominations for our first year of Member Awards - thank you to all those who took the time to nominate colleagues, volunteers and other members for recognition. The awards allowed us to shine a light on the incredible work and achievements made by individuals and teams within our member organisations.

Team of the Year: Jo Franklin and Julie Harding, Redwings. Many of us have had the pleasure of working with Jo and Julie and appreciate their commitment, quiet unflappable determination, and skill in catching and processing equines at rescues.

Individual Employee of the Year: Sarah Hollister, Horseworld Trust. Sarah is in her 24th year at HorseWorld Trust having started as a welfare groom and is now Head of Equine Welfare. Being described by her nominee as dependable, efficient and caring towards everyone are words that all of us who manage people aspire to hear.

Volunteer of the Year and Member Award winners: Jennifer and Harriet Handy have been a Blue Cross Foster Yard for 5 years and have fostered an incredible 154 horses in that time. Jennifer and Harriet’s lives evolve around the horses’ needs, allowing them to flourish and find new homes essentially being an extension of the Blue Cross rehoming centres!

Entries will open for Member Awards 2025 in the New Year with the awards being announced at the AGM. Please get involved and share the great work your teams are doing.