The YorkMix Hero Awards 2023 are next week! Let’s meet our finalists for Best Boss, New Business, and Environmental Hero awards.
The award ceremony will take place at York Racecourse on Thursday 26 October where the winners will be revealed.
The final category, The Ultimate Hero Award, will be open for voting on the night.
With thanks to our awards supporters! Keep reading to meet our fantastic finalists…
The YorkMix Hero Awards 2023 are kindly supported by Yorkshire Profiles – providers of quality assured metal fabrication at the heart of North Yorkshire.
The Best Boss Award
The finalists for The Best Boss Award are Jess and Sam Kyei-Yamoah at The Hearing Place, Adam Wardale at Middletons and Lauren Addinall at No.1 Health & Beauty.
The Hearing Place specialises in ear and hearing care, and Jess and Sam are the joint owners. One person who nominated Jess and Sam said, “They treat the whole team as family, are always welcoming of new ideas, feedback and are constantly striving to make the business better for customers and employees alike.”
Adam Wardale works at Middletons Hotel. Someone who nominated Adam said, “he has been a huge support to our hotel and the staff at Middletons. He has been a great role model to many of us, inspiring team members in each department and always pushing those that want to progress more within the company and industry.”
One person who nominated Lauren Addinall at No.1 Health & Beauty said that she “always goes above and beyond for her clients. She is the best boss to us all as she is always there for us no matter what – she is the most professional kind-hearted girl who will do anything for anybody.”
The New Business of the Year Award
The New Business of the Year Award is sponsored by Taylor’s of Acomb.
The finalists for The New Business of the Year Award are Youth Sport Institute, Sign with Sarah-Jade and Little Play Dreamers.
Youth Sport Institute provides fitness and gym classes for young people in York. They work with young athletes to support their fitness, nutrition and mental health. One person who nominated them said “it’s a fantastic set up and support network for all young budding athletes in York and surrounding areas.” Another person said that they’re “providing a brilliant resource for the youth of York.”
Sign with Sarah-Jade teaches British Sign Language to groups in Selby and York. Sarah-Jade Walker, who is deaf herself, runs four week BSL ‘boot camps’ and 10 week BSL courses for adults, one to one tuition and signing sessions for babies and toddlers. She also runs sessions for children at play centres. One person said “She’s truly inspirational – sharing her knowledge of BSL, and both the joys and difficulties that come with being deaf.”
Little Play Dreamers, Selby, are inclusive education and play sessions where children and toddlers can learn stories through play and imagination. Run by Amelia Spencer, one person said “she has created a unique and safe space to nurture the boundless creativity that lives in children.” Another person said that “these classes are such an asset to the community.”
The Environmental Hero Award
The Environmental Hero Award is sponsored by Latimer Homes.
The finalists for The Environmental Hero Award are Will and Christine Durrant, Millers Fish and Chips and Twenty Two Kicks.
“Will and Christine along with volunteers have transformed the land around where they live in New Earswick,” one person who nominated them said. “They dedicate all of their time unpaid to supporting Community Action for Nature even though they have had many personal struggles themselves.” They look after wildlife and ensure they have habitats to survive and make sure that everyone feels welcome in the group.
Millers is a family owned fish and chip shop that champions sustainable seafood. Someone who nominated them said “Sustainability is at the heart of everything they do, they use their platforms to raise awareness about serving sustainable seafood. They are a real asset to the community and the environment.”
Twenty Two Kicks was started by Kristina Wainwright who turned her passion for trainers into a sustainable business. Focusing on encouraging people to refresh their old footwear instead of throwing them into landfill, Twenty Two Kicks offer a sneaker cleaning service. One person who nominated them said that Kristina has “made community outreach a focus” and has supported families struggling with the cost of living crisis.