A charity helping local people get back to work and a primary school volunteer are among the winners of a new borough wide award scheme recognising contributions of individuals, groups and businesses in Redbridge.

Winners of the inaugural Recorder�-sponsored Mayor’s Community Awards 2012 have been announced today, featuring seven categories such as Redbridge Best Business, Redbridge Community and Green Redbridge.

Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Chris Cummins was joined by a judging panel including Recorder editor Chris Carter, cabinet member for community safety Cllr Shoaib Patel and general manager of Exchange Ilford Marc Myers to select winners from more than 160 nominees.

Barnabas Workshops, an Ilford charity, scooped the Redbridge Best Business award for their “hand on their heart” approach to helping local people back into work and compassionate attitude towards supporting their clients.

Alongside the charity, volunteer Devinder Dhillon has been awarded under the Contribution to Redbridge Young People category for his work with South Park Primary School, Water Lane, Seven Kings over the past two years.

Devinder encourages sportsmanship and respect from the children through a football club and is described as “one in a million”.

Cllr Cummins said: “We wanted to introduce the Mayor’s Community Awards because we know there are so many local members of the community who work hard on behalf of others and give selflessly without being rewarded.

“We had an exceptionally high number of strong nominations and we had to deliberate long and hard before making a decision.

“I’m looking forward to meeting and rewarding all of the fantastic winners later this month.”

Other award winners include Redbridge nature conservation volunteers under the Green Redbridge category, Jack Weedon under the Caring Redbridge category and Redbridge Street Pastors under the Redbridge Community Hero category.

The Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen Award winner will be announced by editor Chris Carter on the evening of the awards, alongside a special Lifetime Achievement Award to be unveiled by Cllr Keith Prince.

The ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 24.