Published 17th September 2025
The winners of the 2023–25 Inspire Awards were revealed last night at a glittering ceremony held at Mansfield Central Library. The bi-annual event, now in its sixth year, shone a spotlight on the remarkable individuals, teams, partners, and organisations whose work with Inspire has transformed lives and communities across Nottinghamshire.
Hosted by Kemet FM DJ Jackie P, the evening celebrated the inspiring stories behind 38 finalists, shortlisted from 280 nominations submitted by learners, colleagues, and members of the public. The impressive shortlist reflected the breadth of Inspire’s work - from education and the arts to libraries, music, and heritage.
Among the finalists were learners who have overcome barriers to gain confidence and achieve life-changing progress, as well as dedicated tutors recognised for going above and beyond to support them. Creative projects and library teams were also celebrated for bringing people together and enriching local communities through Nottinghamshire’s library network.
The event highlighted innovative initiatives such as InspiREAD, which champions children’s literature and reading for pleasure, and Time to Connect, an ambitious arts project leaving a legacy of six community-created works across Sherwood Forest. The transformation of visitor experiences at Nottinghamshire Archives was also recognised for engaging audiences with history.
Partnership working was celebrated, with collaborations like the Catapult Dance Festival - presented by Inspire Youth Arts, Next Door Dance and Captivate making a lasting impact.
Music played a central role in this year’s awards, celebrating projects ranging from Able Orchestra’s Between Worlds to local initiatives in Newark that provide young people with free weekly sessions in band-making, songwriting, and performance. A particularly exciting highlight was the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young musicians to record their original compositions at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, through Inspire Music and The Rhythm Studio’s Jam Lab.
Speaking after the ceremony, Peter Gaw, INSPIRE Chief Executive Peter said; ”The evening was not just a celebration of achievements but also a reminder of Inspire’s role at the heart of Nottinghamshire life and communities - bringing people together, fostering creativity, and opening doors to new opportunities. We often miss the impact of what we do and what people achieve, these awards showcase this in abundance.”
Among the thirteen award categories, the winners include:
Adult Learner of the Year: John Paul Stevenson
Young Person Greatest Learning Journey: Daisy Stanley
Inspiration to Me: Inspire Youth Arts
Creativity and Innovation: Michelle Mark
Customer Service Excellence: Sam Parker
Innovative Partnership: Time to Connect
Inspired to Create: Inspire Youth Arts and Nottingham University Hospitals Youth Service
Inspiring Reading: Nayab Patel
New Starter of the Year: Rebecca Streets
Tutor of the Year: Sarah Stephenson
Unsung Hero: Jaime McMurtrie
Volunteer of the Year: Southwell Library Places of Welcome
Chief Executive Award:
