Winners of the 2021-23 Inspire Awards were unveiled at an awards evening at Mansfield Library, hosted by Notts TV Noise Floor presenter Mark Del.

The bi-annual event recognised individuals, teams, partners, and organisations who have made a significant impact through their work with Inspire.

Launched in April 2016, Inspire delivers public libraries, archives, arts, instrumental music teaching in schools, adult learning, Inspire College, Nottinghamshire Music Hub, and the Education Library Service for Nottinghamshire County Council.

Inspire is also an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, organising a varied cultural programme for children, families and young people.

There were 250 nominations for the awards and the shortlist included partners such as Miner2Major, a five-year landscape partnership scheme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund; Imperial War Museums; and Inspire Youth Arts.

The latter was recognised for its involvement with The Mother Of Tension project, a contemporary dance-theatre performance themed on conflict and war.

Additionally, Inspire’s LAND/NG project also made it on to the shortlist, a public art commission and short film led by curators and producers Kate Stoddart, Jo Wheeler, and artist Hetain Patel, which centred on Bassetlaw’s Mayflower story.

Among the 13 categories, winners included:

Adult Learner of the Year: Isabel O’Brien. Inspiration to Me: Louise Spence. Creativity and Innovation: The Mother Of Tension. Customer Service Excellence: Becky Ross. Innovative Partnership: Miner2Major. Inspired to Create: LAND/NG. Inspiring Reading: Michelle Dunstan. New Starter of the Year: Alex McDaid. Tutor of the Year: Donna Dunn. Unsung Hero: Callum Winterton. Volunteer of the Year: Peter Otter. Young Person Greatest Learning Journey: Alicia Smith. Chief Executive Award: Andy Dawson.
Inspire Education Library Service (ELS) team announced the winners of its InspiREAD 2023 awards programme for children’s books and authors. Just under 800 young readers, school pupils, and members of the public voted for their favourite picture book, shorter novel, and longer novel of the year from a shortlist selected by the ELS team, with an aim to encourage children and families to read for pleasure.

The winners were I Did See A Mammoth by Alex Willmore, Grimwood by Nadia Shireen, and Sleepover Takeover by Simon James Green.

Peter Gaw, chief executive of Inspire, said: “We are immensely proud of the outstanding individuals and partnerships that we work with at Inspire.

“We have the privilege of working with incredibly talented and dedicated teams in Inspire and across our library network.

“The Inspire Awards serve as a platform to celebrate the staff who make our services excellent and leave a lasting impact on our customers.

“It was a fantastic night and highlighted the range, depth, and impact of the work Inspire is able to undertake, commission, host, and lead across Nottinghamshire.”