The Spirit of Manchester Awards help to celebrate and highlight all the excellent work being carried out in Manchester’s voluntary and community sector.

We’re proud to share that two people that we work closely with on our community media projects have been celebrated at the awards.

Our Talking About My Generation reporter Tony Openshaw had a table named after him on the evening!

Tony was chosen for this honour due to his amazing work in the community and with the LGBT Foundation, as this year’s theme was LGBTQ+.

The foundation has been working alongside other volunteers from Pride In Ageing and Manchester Art Gallery to create the Derek Jarman Pocket Park in the city.

It’s inspired by gay rights activist, artist and gardener Derek Jarman.

The volunteers’ life stories are shared in the park using QR codes that can be scanned, as well as images and quotes that can be spotted.

The park will be used as a space for families, wellbeing and English as a foreign language classes.

All of the volunteers were shortlisted for the Tackling Inequalities category which is supported by Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership.

Tony Openshaw said: “It was a great honour. I shared this honour with other icons like Alan Turing and Alan Horsfall, so it felt humbling to be recognised for LGBTQ+ campaigning and support work amongst some greats.”

Meanwhile, our Media Cubs mini reporter and mini board member Ben Watkins had a very special job this year.

Ben, who is only 13 years old, was selected as a judge on the awards panel.

As well as his work with us, he loves drama and theatre, and enjoys being part of his church family.

Ben has created a special vlog on the evening which you can watch below.