Proud Winners at the MK Inspiration Awards

We are delighted to share that we were named finalists in this year’s MK Inspiration Awards, in the categories of Most Inspirational Role Model and Inspiring Café & Bistro. We are incredibly proud to have won the Most Inspirational Role Model award.

This recognition means a great deal to us. The awards celebrate individuals and organisations across Milton Keynes who make a positive difference, and to be acknowledged, let alone to win is a truly proud and meaningful moment.

Our CEO, Simon, was delighted to win Most Inspirational Role Model which reflects the values he strives to embody every day. Simon has always aimed to lead with integrity, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility, both within the YMCA and across the wider South Midlands community. To have this recognised is incredibly special.

While our café, Homeground, did not take home the Inspiring Café & Bistro award, it was still an honour to be shortlisted in this category. It means a lot to know that the welcoming and inclusive environment we’ve worked hard to create has been recognised alongside so many other inspiring spaces. HomeGround supports our work and our residents every day.

We were also so pleased to attend the awards ceremony, which was a wonderful evening filled with warmth, positivity, and genuine community spirit. It was a privilege to stand alongside so many inspiring charities, organisations, and individuals, all doing meaningful work across Milton Keynes.

More than anything, the evening was a celebration of all that is good in our community with people coming together with kindness and purpose to support one another. We left feeling inspired, proud, and grateful to be part of it.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: that small, everyday actions can make a meaningful difference. Whether that’s supporting our young people, creating a positive environment, or contributing to the local community, receiving this award reinforces the importance of those values.

We are incredibly thankful to our dedicated team, our residents, our loyal customers, and the wider Milton Keynes community. This achievement is a shared one, and we are proud to celebrate it together.