The winners of the Social Change Awards were announced at the fifth awards ceremony held on December 1st 2011 in London, to celebrate the work of passionate individuals and organisations committed to making a positive impact on society.

With over 600 impressive applications, the judges had a tough job short listing 3 nominees in each of the five award categories.

Out of the 15 finalists, the winners were chosen by the public who cast over 4000 votes.

In her opening speech, Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive of Directory of Social Change (DSC) said: “At the core of DSC’s beliefs is the idea that a better society is built through voluntary action – and that is why the bulk of our work is aimed at informing, supporting and encouraging voluntary action and charitable activity.

"And this event tonight is about recognising the huge achievements you all make towards creating a better society for all of us. “

Dame Suzi Leather, chair of the Charity Commission presented each winner and runner-up with a unique piece of art by cartoonist Grizelda, portraying their organisation and its work.

In her speech, Dame Suzi Leather paid tribute to charities, "This evening is a chance to celebrate another side of society. The one we don’t hear about too often in the news. The one in which people, like you, agents for social change, collaborate to put your ideas for a better world into action. And it’s a particular pleasure to see that dedication and passion recognised."

The Children’s University won the Everyday Impact – New Enterprises Award for their outstanding work in raising aspirations and promoting social mobility through providing high quality out-of-school-hours activities to children aged 7-14 years.

New Heights Warren Farm Community Project won the Everyday Impact Award – Long-term Enterprises Award for offering a cradle to grave service and support to the most vulnerable sectors of the socially deprived community of Kingstanding.

Angela and Neil Dickson who won the Lifetime Achievement Award for working towards increasing the amount of high quality research into brain tumours in the UK said: “We were absolutely thrilled to win our Lifetime Achievement Award, which has been hung in pride of place already. We were delighted to meet so many wonderful people who give up so much of their precious time.”

Community Development Foundation (CDF) won the Great Giving Funders Award for taking a community development approach to funding, from design through to evaluation.

Lesley Chambers, CDF director of Programmes said: “CDF is passionate about helping communities and is absolutely delighted to receive this award, which we believe recognises this passion.

"We are always listening to communities to see how we can improve our grant application service to them. We never fail to be impressed by the time and commitment given by volunteers to their communities.

"We are pleased that they find it easy to access the funds we distribute on behalf of our sponsors. This award has given CDF even more motivation to make grant applications as easy as possible.”

The Influencer Award went to Deirdre Boyd, a passionate addiction recovery advocate, who has worked tirelessly to challenge the widespread beliefs that addicted people can't recover and via UKESAD has created a forum where people can come together in a safe environment and support each other in their recovery and in addiction work.

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