2024 Shortlisted Nominee
Community Organisation Award: Multi-Strand
Banburyshire Advice Centre is a small charity based in Banbury, North Oxfordshire. It acts as a Beacon of Hope for people facing life challenges. The charity supports a diverse community, including the elderly, disabled, poor, and those with mental health difficulties, helping them obtain benefits. Entirely run by volunteers, the organisation offers benefit form assistance, general advice, career guidance, and Blue Badge applications. Founder Andy Willis, who is Dyslexic and Dyspraxic, has received several accolades, including a British Citizen Award and an Honorary Masters Degree from The Open University. The charity won Organisation of the Year 2021 in the Cherwell “Love Where You Live” Awards and was Highly Commended in the Oxfordshire Adult Social Care Awards. In 2021, Banburyshire Advice Centre secured over £159,659 in benefits and financial aid for clients.