The GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards

The annual GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards are run in partnership with The King’s Fund to recognise and promote excellence in community healthcare.

This is the 14th year of the awards and so far over 400 UK community healthcare charities have received almost £3 million in acknowledgement of their outstanding work in dealing with some of the most difficult social issues.

Impact Awards 2011 Advice generated through the GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards assessments, helps strengthen the charities current management plans and even shape their future aspirations, ensuring they continue to make an invaluable contribution to community healthcare.

The winners were awarded at a ceremony held in central London on 12 May. At the ceremony, the overall winner Step Forward was awarded with an additional £10,000. For more information, read the GSK press release.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Age Concern - Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan
Providing help and support to older people, especially those who are vulnerable isolated, and in poverty, who are resident in Cardiff or the Vale of Glamorgan.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Service – Gravesend, Kent
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support service aims to enable people with mild to moderate dementia to stay in their own home for as long as possible.

Body and Soul - London
Body and Soul supports children, young people and families living with, or affected by, HIV. It offers peer support, workshops, advice, counseling and support for people in the process of disclosing HIV within the family.

Brook Wirral – Birkenhead, Wirral
Brook Wirral offers sexual health and relationship services including sex education in schools, contraception, Chlamydia screening and pregnancy testing. It provides counseling, a drop-in service and runs a number of groups.

Bryncynon Strategy - Cynon Valley, Wales
Bryncynon Strategy offers services that support the regeneration of a deprived community affected by the loss of the local coal-mining industries. Its services include a range of healthy eating initiatives as well as a case work service.

Foyle Haven - Northern Ireland
Foyle Haven is based in Londonderry (Derry) and provides a safe, accessible centre for street drinkers where they can access support. It also raises awareness and understanding of the issues related to street drinking.

Niemann-Pick Disease Group (UK) – Washington, Tyne and Wear
Niemann-Pick Disease Group (UK) supports families affected by the various forms of this illness. It is the only organisation within the UK that provides services specifically targeted to those who are affected by the disease.

Project 6 - Keighley, West Yorkshire
Project 6 works in West Yorkshire to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drug misuse. It also provides support to relatives and carers of those affected by alcohol and drugs.

Step Forward - Tower Hamlets, London
Step Forward aims to improve the quality of the lives of young people aged 11-25 in Tower Hamlets - one of the most deprived areas in England. They run many services and host a weekly sexual health clinic. Step Forward was the overall winner of the 2011 IMPACT Awards.

The Back-Up Trust – Wandsworth, London
The Back-Up Trust aims to enable people with spinal cord injury to transform their lives. Its principle activities are peer-led and encourage independence, self-confidence and motivation following a life- changing injury.

Highly Commended;