Against the backdrop of Derby City Football Ground, 140 people from across the East Midlands came together to celebrate the ‘excellent wok by both organisations and individuals' undertaken by people in the children and young people's voluntary and community sector (VCS).

The event at Pride Park in Derby was organised by the VCS Engage East Midlands steering group, the regional arm of a national programme that aims to help the VCS to play a more active and effective role in the planning, commissioning and delivery of services for children, young people and families. In the words of Matt Ford, Chair of the VCS Engage EM Steering group "the CYP sector has had a raw deal after Baby P, you only hear when things go wrong, I feel proud as punch and 20ft tall to be involved in this event which celebrates the wonderful work that people do, across so many sectors and areas in the East Midlands"

8 awards were presented with 3 going to individuals from Leicestershire.

Pat Bishop from the Mount Group Riding for the Disabled was awarded Best Volunteer over 25 years for her work with the charity that provides riding lessons for disabled children. She chairs the Somerby branch near Melton Mowbray and as well as the running of the groups, leading sessions and training new volunteers she takes time out to help individual children attend riding competitions.

Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Karen Laywood from the New Parks Adventure Playground with which she had been involved since 1974. Over that time she has taken a hands on role in everything from delivering play schemes to fundraising. The services have been accessed by thousands of children and families in the New Parks area.

 Best Young Volunteer went to Lacy Holdsworth who volunteers with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue. She was nominated for her enthusiasm, commitment and support.

Other awards included Small Charity, Big achiever that went to Derby Open Centre, Best Voluntary Partnership that was awarded to the Action for Children Derbyshire Runaways Project, Best Safeguarding Practice that went to Base 51 from Nottingham and Best Employer that went to Madcaps After School and Holiday Club.