Celebrating the people who make Calderdale stronger: An interview with Community Spirit Awards Judge Emma Worsley
As part of the Community Spirit Awards, we spoke to judge Emma Worsley about her connection to Calderdale, why celebrating the voluntary sector matters, and what stood out to her when reading the incredible stories of this year’s finalists.
Emma is part of the leadership team at VAC supporting charities and community organisations across Calderdale with everything from governance and fundraising to volunteers, policies and procedures. With a lifelong connection to the voluntary sector, Emma has seen first hand the incredible impact that community organisations and volunteers have across the borough.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your connection to Calderdale and the voluntary sector?
My name is Emma Worsley and I’m part of the leadership team at VAC. We support the voluntary sector with all of those infrastructure needs, things like governance, fundraising, funding bids, policies, procedures and volunteer support. I moved to Calderdale when I was 13. I was born in London and lived in Newcastle before coming here. After university, I came back to Calderdale during the recession and started volunteering with the White Ribbon Campaign as their events and fundraising officer. I organised lots of events, including auctions, music events and their first ever Walk which raised lots of money. I loved it and when a communications role came up, I took it and fell in love with the sector and have worked my way up ever since.
The voluntary sector has always been part of my life. My mum was a CEO of an organisation similar to VAC in Newcastle, so I grew up around it. I spent school holidays in the office, sat at the back of meetings and met lots of inspiring community leaders. I’ve always been surrounded by people doing amazing things.
How long have you been involved in judging the Community Spirit Awards and what made you want to get involved?
I think I’ve been involved for around four or five years now. The Community Spirit Awards have become such an important part of celebrating the voluntary sector in Calderdale. Every year I find out about new organisations, new projects and people who are doing incredible things that I didn’t know about before. When you read the nominations and hear about the people who give their time, passion and kindness, it really reminds you how much we rely on them. We would be pretty lost without the people who contribute their time and skills. Being a judge is a real honour, although it is a lot of hard work reading through all the nominations!
Why do you think it is important to celebrate the work of charities, community groups and volunteers?
One of my least favourite phrases for our sector is “the third sector”. It makes it sound like we are somehow less important, but that’s not true. The voluntary sector is the foundation that supports people when other places might not even realise that support is needed. People don’t do this work because they are trying to make a profit, they do it because they care. It’s about people, kindness, need and improving lives. Why shouldn’t those people be celebrated? Especially when many of them don’t do it for recognition.
“I think we are better united than divided”
Do you think Covid changed the way people see the voluntary sector?
I think it did for a while. During Covid, everyone was pulling together. We were all experiencing something completely unprecedented and there was a real sense of unity. People were supporting neighbours, volunteering and recognising how important community organisations were. But then life returned to normal and some of that awareness faded. I think we are better united than divided. We need to keep reminding people that the support happening in our communities isn’t guaranteed. There isn’t an endless pot of money, and local organisations need local support. Sometimes people think philanthropy means you have to be incredibly wealthy, but it doesn’t. It can be your time, your skills, following a local organisation on social media or simply sharing their story.
When you started reading the nominations, what stood out to you?
The thing that really stands out is when a nomination is written so well that it just hits you between the eyes. I look for the impact they are having in Calderdale. I like to understand the story behind the work including who is being helped, what difference is being made and why it matters. I also look at whether people are sharing their achievements. Sometimes organisations are doing amazing things, but nobody knows about them.
My advice would be: don’t underestimate the work you do. Put yourself forward. Tell your story. People can’t celebrate something they don’t know about.
When judging, do you look at statistics and numbers, or the personal stories behind the work?
I think you need both. Statistics are really important because they show the scale of what is happening such as how many people have been supported, how many lives have been impacted. But I also love the personal stories because they bring it to life. They help you imagine what that support actually means to someone. The strongest nominations often combine the two so remember to include the evidence of impact alongside a story from someone whose life has changed.
Were there any particular moments or stories from the nominations that stayed with you?
The volunteering categories always stand out because volunteering is such a personal choice to do something selfless. Someone is choosing to give their time, experience, kindness and passion to help others. It is rarely something people do for themselves, it is about improving things for other people. The Outstanding Individual and Lifetime Achievement categories are always particularly special because they recognise people who have given so much over many years. When we are judging, we often say we would choose everyone if we could. Every finalist deserves recognition.
How do you make those difficult decisions as a judge?
We have a scoring system and criteria that we judge against. I usually do an initial read through and highlight the ones that really stand out. Then I go back and look more closely at how they meet the criteria. It is difficult because every nomination is valuable in its own way. You have to remember that not being shortlisted doesn’t mean someone hasn’t done incredible work.
What do you hope people take away from hearing about the finalists and winners?
I hope people realise how much incredible work is happening right here in Calderdale. A lot of community organisations don’t have the time or confidence to shout about themselves, but their stories matter.
Never be afraid to be proud of what you’ve achieved. Keep sharing your stories and celebrating your successes.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering but doesn’t know where to start?
Come and speak to us at VAC! We have volunteering opportunities from organisations across Calderdale and our team can help people find something that suits them. Volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge commitment. It could be a small amount of time, using a skill you already have, or simply getting involved with something you care about. You never know where it might lead.
If you could grant one wish for Calderdale, what would it be?
I would love to see more local philanthropy. People sometimes think giving back means you need to be a millionaire, but it doesn’t. It could be your time, a donation, your skills or simply supporting local organisations by sharing what they do. I’d also love to see organisations supported to be more creative with fundraising. There are some brilliant examples of charities creating social enterprises and finding new ways to sustain their work.
How would you like people to remember the individuals and organisations recognised at the Community Spirit Awards?
I would say “never stop talking about it”, continue to share the achievement on your social media. Don’t just share the award photo once and move on. Keep celebrating it. Share the story again months later. Remind people why that person or organisation is brilliant. People should never be ashamed to be proud of what they have achieved.
Quick Fire Questions
Tea or coffee?
Coffee.
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunset.
Favourite place in Calderdale?
My house!
One word to describe Calderdale?
Beautiful.
What makes you smile instantly?
Dogs.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I love to sew.
Favourite comfort food?
Macaroni cheese.
One thing everyone should do to support their community?
Volunteer.
What advice do you often give to others?
“Never stop blowing the trumpet for the amazing work you do day in day out.”
