Home > Environment > Environmental Crime > REACH Awards 2026

This year the awards were sponsored by our street cleansing and refuse ad recylcing contractor Veolia

 The 2026 REACH award winners were:

COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR: 

 

Branching Out is a day care provider for adults with a wide range of learning difficulties. Their extensive range of activities within their village community, are inspiring.

• When the Friday Club for senior citizens closed in 2023, Branching Out decided to run an afternoon tea on the last Friday of each month for the 40 people who attend. At Christmas, they cook a 3 course dinner for them for a nominal fee of £2.50.
• They have tended to their local village planter since its inception in 2017, and ensure it remains colourful all year.
• Every time they hold a fundraising event, a donation is made to another village organisation. Last year Tiddlers, their local toddler group, received money towards a new shed for their outside toys.
• Each year they host an Easter egg hunt for Tiddlers in the church and a fundraising event for Macmillan to which over £1,000 is annually sent.
• They offer family activity afternoons with crafts, baking and painting. They have an allotment and offer fresh fruit and vegetables to the elderly of their village.
• They provide dinners and cakes to people who can’t get out easily when their needs change.
• Once a month, in conjunction with DDC, they litter pick around their village and regularly collect 10 bags.
• At Christmas they deliver Christmas cards around their village which is so important for some of the more elderly residents.
• They provide a car washing facility which local people regularly use.

 

GREEN ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR: 

Sandown Primary School is based in Deal and the school community nurtures its core values of creativity, independence and collaboration.

• Over the last twelve months, the school has open sessions for every class in school and their families to come along to a ‘Green Zone’ afternoon and spend time together; learning about nature, making craft and artworks using natural materials and showcasing how small actions can make a difference.
• They welcome local nursery groups to join them at a Green Zone and help to foster an enjoyment of being outdoors. The collaboration has included scooping out pumpkin seeds to be dried and put out for the birds, planting seeds and watch them grow over the seasons.
• Each year they take part in the RSPB Big School’s Birdwatch and pupils now recognise common woodland birds and their individual calls.
• Each year group go out into the local community to conduct local litter picks. As part of the Great British Spring Clean, a group of pupils went out with staff in North Deal Community Park.
• One year group used the litter pick as inspiration for their Design and Technology project. They designed and created their own workable litter pickers.
• On their Green Zone site, they have an open sided cabin with tables where they can gather to chat and create craft, made with help from Kent Christchurch College, Canterbury and their woodworking department. They use this all the time as an activity base.
• They already have a date in the diary for discussion about phase two of their partnership. A bridge across the pond!
• They work with many local partners who support their green initiatives.

 

 

LITTER PICKER OF THE YEAR:

Sue and Alan Smith

Both Mr and Mrs Smith litter pick areas of Dover nearly every day! They have been doing this for a few years and the amount of rubbish they pick makes a difference to the local community, as they work hard to make the town and its surrounding areas a cleaner place to live.

 

JUNIOR LITTER PICKER OF THE YEAR: 

 Nevaeh has demonstrated a fantastic commitment to caring for the environment and consistently goes above and beyond to make a positive difference within both her school and the wider community.

• Nevaeh’s enthusiasm and determination contributed to her school successfully collecting an impressive eight bags of rubbish during the Great British Spring Clean. She approached the task with energy and purpose, showing a genuine desire to improve the local environment. 
• She has been actively involved in a range of environmental projects within school, particularly those focused on reducing single-use plastics and promoting more sustainable choices. She engages thoughtfully in these initiatives and demonstrates a clear understanding of the importance of protecting the environment for future generations.
• Nevaeh has taken part in assemblies where littering and environmental responsibility have been key themes. She listens carefully, reflects on what she has learned, and applies this knowledge in her everyday actions, leading by example.
• What makes Nevaeh particularly deserving of this recognition is her positive attitude and consistent effort. She shows pride in her actions, supports her peers, and contributes meaningfully to creating a cleaner, greener school and community.

Previous winners:

To view the 2022 winners, please click here.

To view the 2023 winners, please click here.

To view the 2024 winners, please click here.

To view the 2025 winners, please click here.