VOLUNTEERS and community workers have been honoured at the annual 1V Community Champion Awards.

The awards were part of the One Voice Annual Dinner at the Windsor Suite at King Georges Hall in Blackburn on Saturday night.

The event saw some of the best work in the community celebrated with six awards presented.

The dinner also included a speech from Sayyed Osman, director of Blackburn with Darwen Council, who spoke about the importance of female empowerment and women’s involvement in leadership roles.

The event, which was hosted by 14-year-old Safah Laylah, started with a presentation by the 1V Scouts.

The West End Girls (WEGS) entertained the audience with a performance about the trajectory of the Blackburn woman.

Humma Ahmed, headteacher at Walverden Primary School in Nelson, shared her thoughts about the value of education and the supporting roles families play for their children.

Vice principal of Blackburn College, Tracy Stuart, spoke about the importance of education and the organisation's alliance with One Voice in a bid to reach out to local communities.

The event also saw the launch of an initiative by youth group 2020 Vision to tackle the stigma of being stereotyped on account of ones name. The short video, ‘Don’t Judge Me By Name’ aims to break down social barriers.

Firoza Mohmed, service manager at Humraaz Women’s Refuge, said: "This year’s 1V annual dinner was hugely enjoyable and a successful event.

"From the young host, the 1V Scouts, the speakers, the WEGS to the winners, they all were brilliant as were all the nominees.

"Humraaz are honoured to work in partnership with 1V and we sponsored the Lifetime Achievement Award.

"1V has pursued female empowerment which was very apparent and evident this year.

"Breaking stereotypes of women and in particular Muslim women is very promising and I look forward to further development."

All the nominees for the awards were chosen by the members of One Voice and the community.

The Mohammed Khan Leadership Award was awarded to volunteer Chris Seddon.

Mrs Seddon said: “I love what I do, supporting young people and families when needed.

"To me our town, Blackburn, is proud and vibrant with a diverse population.

"Respecting and valuing our neighbours can only support our communities especially our young people to live in harmony in our town and country.”

The Youth of the Year Award went to Hamza Khan who said: "To be recognised for my role in representing the young people of Blackburn with Darwen by winning this award is an absolute honour.”

The Institute of the Year was won by Brookhouse Development Group for its community work.

A spokesman said: "We weren't expecting this. We want to thank One Voice and also want to give a shout out to all the other nominees."

Shakeel Choudhry, who was awarded Man of the Year, said: “I want to thank all the people that nominated me for the shortlist.

"One Voice is a huge integral part of the community and to win this accolade is a huge testament to how we have come together as a community over the last few years since the 'birth' of One Voice.

“I feel truly blessed and honoured to be awarded this and it gives me great pride to ensure we will work much harder to build on the foundations we are setting for our community to become one.”

The Woman of the Year award went to Ahlam Hasan. She said: “Heartfelt thanks and warmest gratitude to the amazing and friendly people who have been supporting me.

"They gave me this honour and put trust in my efforts. This increased the responsibility, so I will do my best to protect this trust."

The awards culminated in the Outstanding Achievement Award which was given to Iqbal Bhai for his dedication to nurturing and developing sporting talent.

One Voice chairman Abrar Hussain said: “The annual dinner was a wonderful evening with so many inspiring people gathered together in one room in a spirit of tangible cohesion.

"We would like to congratulate the winners and all of the nominees in the 1V Community Champion Awards.”

The event was sponsored and supported by Blackburn College, HPA Solicitors, Humraaz Women’s Refuge, NHS England and Blackburn with Darwen Council.