Brightlingsea WinterFest’s volunteer crew has been selected as a finalist in the BBC Make a Difference Awards.
The award scheme is run across the UK, recognising groups and individuals who go the extra mile to improve people’s lives in their community.
Nominated in the community group category for Essex, WinterFest was selected from hundreds of nominations in the county to be one of four finalists, which were announced on BBC Essex during the breakfast show on Wednesday, August 6. The 2025 winner will be announced in September.
Alix Sheppard, who co-founded Brightlingsea WinterFest with Dave Griffiths in 2015 said: “This is such an honour and a boost for the whole crew, who work tirelessly all year round. It is also great recognition for all the people who have been involved and contributed to WinterFest in so many ways over the last 10 years.”
WinterFest is a month-long annual festival of music, arts, spoken word and wellbeing activities, held each February. It is entirely run by a small crew of dedicated volunteers, who this year ran over 40 mostly free events.
A decade ago, WinterFest started with a concert to bring something positive to Brightlingsea following a number of suicides in the town. Since the, it has gone from strength to strength, aiming to banish the winter blues to help reduce isolation and promote community cohesion.
Donations and any profits from events and activities boost the WinterFest Wellbeing Fund, which helps local people of all ages and, so far, has given more than £25,000 worth of grants for activities and equipment to improve people’s mental, physical and social wellbeing.
Each year WinterFest also gives a substantial donation to the mental health charity, Mid and North East Essex Mind.
