The individual recipients for the Lord Mayor's Medal 2025 to 2026
Amy Spencer
Empowering young people through two decades of guiding and imagination
Amy has devoted two decades of her adult life to the Girl Guide movement, first involved as a young helper at 14 and becoming an adult leader at 18. She has worked with Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and is now an inspirational Assistant Guider.
She was awarded the Queen's Guide Award in 2011 and South West England's Young Guider Award in 2014.
She has written and produced the annual Guide pantomime for over 20 years, bringing together cast members from local Guide and Ranger units, with support for costumes, scenery, sound and lighting. These productions build self confidence, develop new skills, and raise funds for charities, including over £1,000 during COVID with an online pantomime.
She has five racks of pantomime clothing in her loft. Amy has shown creativity and deep care, including organising personalised quilt squares and assembling a full sized quilt for a fellow Guider.
As Division Quarter Master, she and her team sorted all camp and other equipment, enabling units to book and use division equipment. Amy's enthusiastic leadership, dedication to empowering young people, and long standing commitment to the Guide movement are deserving of recognition.
Antonina Grebeniuk
Building bridges through art, remembrance and community leadership
Since 2022 Antonina has made an outstanding and sustained voluntary contribution to Bristol's civic, cultural and educational life, supporting the Ukrainian diaspora and bringing cultural distinction to the city of Bristol.
Antonina's commitment to education and remembrance is demonstrated through her curation of the “Erased from the Face of the Earth” exhibition, first launched at The Galleries in February 2025 and then hosted at M Shed Museum from April to July 2025.
She delivered a vibrant programme of free public workshops, including traditional Ukrainian singing, Petrykivka painting and cultural events, achieving national recognition via BBC News. Her leadership reached the hearts of the Bristol public and strengthened understanding between Ukrainians and Bristolians.
She has successfully transformed Ukrainian Independence Day into a landmark civic event from 2023 to 2025, with flag raising ceremonies and celebrations attended by the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, covered by BBC and Bristol 24/7. These events foster vital community cohesion and provide a platform for Bristol to demonstrate compassion and solidarity.
One of her most significant achievements is founding the Ukrainian School Bristol in 2024, the first supplementary Ukrainian school in the city. Operating every Saturday, this voluntary initiative provides language education, cultural continuity, wellbeing support, and a nurturing environment. Children benefit from trips, guest speakers, cultural practitioners, city wide events, Christmas and St Nicholas gifts, and support for vulnerable families. The school has become a critical support system for families experiencing displacement.
Antonina's voluntary leadership extends to international partnership-building, strengthening links between Bristol and Odesa.
She has also founded Ukraine Aid and Welfare, coordinated humanitarian initiatives, and delivered cultural and remembrance events including Shevchenko Spring and Holodomor Remembrance Day.
Her work combines strategic leadership and hands on delivery. She has created lasting value through major public civic events, nationally recognised exhibitions, structured cultural education and humanitarian support. Her service is unique, distinctive, selfless, professional, compassionate and entirely voluntary.
Antonina Grebeniuk has enhanced the quality of life in Bristol and strengthened the city's reputation as caring, inclusive and culturally rich.
Avril Marshall
Championing confidence, inclusion and opportunity for generations
For more than thirty years, Avril has been an outstanding and unwavering volunteer in Hartcliffe, Withywood, and South Bristol.
Her long record of service spans an exceptional number of community initiatives, including major roles in the development of the Gatehouse Centre, the Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership, the Women's Returners Scheme, the Totterdown Children's Trust, the South Side Forum, Vision BAME CIC, and multiple resident‑led groups focused on regeneration, equality, health, and community development.
Avril has been instrumental in supporting Black and minority ethnic residents, helping individuals and families gain confidence, navigate local systems, and actively participate in community decision‑making. Her advocacy has strengthened trust between local communities and institutions, enabling under‑represented residents to feel heard, respected, and empowered.
Alongside her strategic and advisory work, Avril continues to deliver hands‑on community support, including her leadership within local gardening groups at Millennium Green Park. When essential tools were stolen, she personally secured community and business donations to replace them. She has also encouraged members of Vision BAME CIC to volunteer, helping them grow in confidence and visibility within the community.
Avril is recognised as a compassionate, determined, and deeply trusted voice within Hartcliffe and Withywood. She has dedicated decades to improving opportunities for residents, particularly within disadvantaged areas, and has had a profound and lasting impact across generations.
Beverley Douglas
A lifelong advocate making Bristol fairer, stronger and more connected
This nomination recognises Beverley Douglas for her outstanding dedication to community service and her significant voluntary contributions to the city of Bristol. Beverley's commitment, compassion, and leadership are reflected in her long standing support for community focused initiatives and her powerful influence as a role model.
Beverley has volunteered for three years on BCfm's Real Women Weekly, contributing to empowering conversations and amplifying the voices of diverse women in Bristol. In addition, she has served for two years on the Programmes Committee for Quartet Community Foundation, helping to guide charitable decisions that directly benefit local communities.
Supporters describe Beverley as a strong, compassionate, and highly respected individual whose lifelong dedication to community, equality, and justice has shaped her career and personal life. She is admired for her groundbreaking service as a Police Officer, becoming the first General Secretary of the Avon and Somerset Black Police Association and receiving recognition from the National Black Police Association for her pioneering work supporting Black colleagues locally and nationally. Her advocacy has paved the way for many Black individuals to enter policing.
Personal testimonies highlight her integrity, intelligence, resilience, and unwavering loyalty as a friend. Further endorsement emphasises her remarkable journey as a Black woman joining the police shortly after the St Pauls riots, facing hostility and isolation but persevering to become one of the longest serving Black female officers in the force's history. Alongside her professional achievements, Beverley has dedicated significant voluntary time to mentoring young people at risk of exclusion, with many going on to higher education and professional careers.
In retirement, she continues her service to Bristol as a charity trustee, radio host, and advocate for equality, including as Deputy Chair of the Legacy Commission.
Her memoir, Beyond the Blue Light, reflects the personal cost of breaking barriers and her determination to create lasting positive change within her community.
Caroline Pitt
A legacy of service linking Bristol and Beira
Caroline returned to Bristol in 2001 after ten years in Beira, designing social and civic infrastructure and supporting the development of social infrastructure. She has spent twenty five years supporting Beira and thirty five years committed to the people of our twinned city. She joined the board of Beira on her return and is currently Trustee, Treasurer and Secretary. Her work with Beira includes leading the Programme Working Group for Bristol Link with Beira.
Caroline is very aware of global inequalities and the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels and severe weather events. Since 2001 she has engaged with sustainability issues in the built environment, with emphasis on the educational sector.
She is active in West Bristol Climate Action and is a Trustee of Bristol's Global Goals Centre. As Trustee, Treasurer and Secretary, she has maintained financial governance and transparency, ensuring compliance and long term sustainability. Her stewardship has strengthened budgeting, resource allocation and financial planning. Achievements include increasing reserves by 35%, reducing operational expenses by 20%, securing and managing over £500,000 in grant funding, and introducing financial reporting systems that improved transparency and decision making.
Charlotte Churchill
Building a charity that lifts people from hardship with compassion and action
Charlotte Churchill's exceptional spirit, unwavering support, strong leadership and relentless dedication transformed Operation Community Hamper from 19 Christmas hampers in her front room into a vital, year round lifeline for vulnerable people across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and surrounding areas. Founded in 2020 during the Covid 19 pandemic, the project grew to over 340 hampers by 2022, 656 in 2023, and 1280 hampers and gift bags in 2025. In July 2024 it became a registered charity.
Her work extends beyond Christmas through grocery deliveries, enrichment activities for children, utilities top ups and essential household items. Her lived experience in child protection and family support shaped a compassionate, accessible and trusted service. Volunteers, businesses, sports clubs and organisations now form a strong community effort inspired by her passion and drive.
Supporters describe her as a hero who has helped families facing mental health struggles, homelessness, no money, no home, no cooking facilities, and no essentials. She ensured hot meals, coats, bedding, carpets, beds and a home to go into at times of extreme hardship.
Operation Community Hamper also provided more than 1,200 Christmas hampers and over 1,000 individual gifts for children and young people. The charity supports people made homeless, offering clothing, toiletries, bedding and household supplies. Charlotte balances leadership, organisation, volunteers, donations and partnerships with personal compassion and full time work.
Her achievements include poverty relief, homelessness support and community engagement, with measurable impact for families, children, elderly people and individuals in crisis. Schools, police stations, local employers and others have joined the project with enthusiasm.
Charlotte is described as a South Bristol hero who fully deserves recognition.
Claire Sharpe
Mobilising volunteers and empowering riders of every background
Claire Sharpe is dedicated, community minded, passionate about cycling that is accessible, inclusive and sustainable. One of Bristol's most active cycling advocates, she has transformed how residents think about transport, health and community engagement.
Through Bristol Cycling Campaign, Life Cycle UK and community led projects, she has coordinated programmes encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to take up cycling safely and confidently. Her workshops for women, refugees and low income families offer free bike maintenance, route planning advice and confidence building rides, rooted in inclusion and building communities of support.
As a volunteer ride leader and mentor, she has trained dozens of new ride leaders who now run regular community rides. During the COVID 19 pandemic she organised socially distanced rides that reduced isolation and improved mental health.
She champions environmental sustainability, promotes active travel schemes with schools and businesses, repairs bikes for charity and encourages neighbours to try commuting by bike. Her actions reflect her belief that small efforts generate profound citywide impact.
Her initiative Pedal Kindness Bristol mobilised over 100 volunteers to deliver essential goods and companionship to vulnerable residents. She also collaborates with community gardens, food banks and arts projects, cycling supplies across the city.
As organiser of the Supermarket Slay Ride, she created an inclusive community initiative combining charity, cycling and celebration. Festive routes enabled riders of all abilities to participate, collecting essential items for South and East Bristol Foodbank. The 2024 ride collected over 250kg of food and raised £827, doubled through match funding. Plans for 2025 included a pizza celebration with donated staff time and raffle prizes.
Her voluntary work encouraging cycling among women, including trans and non binary people, addresses barriers such as confidence issues, safety and maintenance skills. She organises charity rides such as the Santa Sleigh ride supporting food banks and raising awareness.
Claire exemplifies creativity, inclusivity and resilience.
Claire Tavener
Turning local ideas into thriving community projects through steady dedication
Claire is Bedminster born and bred. A founding member of the West Street BS3 Neighbourhood Group in 2009, she became Treasurer as the accounts grew from a few hundred to several thousands of pounds, including £168,000 for South Street Park and £46,000 from Bristol Green Capital. She supported projects such as the Bedminster Winter Lantern Parade with an annual budget of £29,000, the BS3 Repair Café and the Bedminster Community Choir, all presenting a book keeping challenge for an unqualified volunteer. None of these projects would have survived without Claire.
She has also been instrumental in the ‘West Street Stories' project with a lively Facebook page, an online Storymap and work towards a comprehensive archive of the Bedminster Coalfield. She continues to help the neighbourhood through community gardening, street planters, replacing posters, organising street parties and supporting a project for a community space in the new development on the former Bedminster United Reformed Church site.
Claire is a founder member and Treasurer of the Bedminster Community Choir for 14 years and a volunteer chef for the ‘Making Time' lunch group since 2018.
She has been central to the success of the West St Neighbourhood Group, the Repair Café, choir and history projects. She has given significant time to Way out West since 2009, helping it fulfil its community remit without fanfare.
Claire is described as a quietly dedicated community member whose involvement ensures many things happen which benefit the neighbourhood. Bedminster is very lucky to have Claire.
Dr Simon Selby
Building bridges between communities through decades of voluntary service
Dr Simon Paul Selby has provided long‑standing, entirely voluntary service to Bristol through his work as Honorary Consul for Poland in the South West and as President of the Anglo‑Polish Society.
He offers regular community advice surgeries for Polish and wider Eastern European residents, supports vulnerable individuals, and strengthens trust between communities and public services. He has led major cultural and commemorative events, including the Kościuszko plaque unveiling and the annual Katyn remembrance, enriching Bristol's civic and cultural life.
Dr Selby has advised police on community relations, supported local charities, promoted cultural understanding, and facilitated practical services such as local passport access.
His recent sponsorship of a commemorative artwork honouring 307 Squadron reflects his commitment to preserving shared history. Highly respected for his empathy, inclusivity and bridge‑building across cultures.
Dr Simon Selby's sustained and selfless contribution makes him a distinguished candidate.
Heather Williams
Transforming local knowledge into lasting community change
Heather Williams has been part of the Ignite group producing a community plan for three years. She was part of a team of residents who did a survey in Hartcliffe and Withywood with over 800 responses, a wonderful achievement towards shaping a community plan for the area. The commitment she has shown as a resident of Hartcliffe and Withywood has been totally awe inspiring, despite having a busy job in Knowle West Health Park. Heather has shown leadership, commitment, calm and huge dedication, putting in many hours and evenings supporting other Ignite group members to have a voice.
She has championed equalities and inclusion and brought passion for investment and resources that benefit the people of Hartcliffe and Withywood. At an October 2025 day where over 60 local people attended, and in January 2026 where over 50 people from public services listened to what local people needed, Heather helped host the events. Her contribution stands out as an amazing asset to Hartcliffe and Withywood.
Supporters describe Heather as instrumental, calm, practical, generous and unwavering. She has deep local knowledge and an unmatched ability to connect people, ideas and services. Her support is given generously, professionally and without expectation of recognition. She has helped make the work manageable and positive. Her dedication, impact and selfless commitment make her a truly deserving nominee.
Heather is born and bred Hartcliffe and spent her adult life helping the Hartcliffe community to see the best in themselves. She helped set up the old Friends of Hartcliffe Millennium Green and passed the baton on to the next group. She started a Journey Women group where women share experiences while doing crafts and hobbies.
As a founding member of the Hartcliffe & Withywood Ignite Group, she has done a lot of volunteering behind the scenes and has been at the forefront.
She is a wealth of knowledge, information and support, relied on for calm practical guidance. Her organisation is second to none, turning complex information into something useful and accessible. She shaped survey questions, analysed data, prepared presentations and contributed directly to the writing of the plan. She helped organise and present feedback events so community voices were clearly heard and taken seriously.
Heather's contribution is significant, sustained and impactful. Her dedication, attention to detail and deep care for the area have strengthened community capacity and helped create a solid foundation for future change.
Ian Watt
Making Knowle West stronger through persistence, care and collaboration
Ian Watt has made an exceptional and sustained contribution to the Knowle West community. He is an active and dedicated resident, always looking for ways to improve life for everyone, especially those who face barriers to being involved or heard. He is warm, welcoming, non judgmental and full of thoughtful, practical ideas to create positive change.
He has played a central role in the regeneration of Knowle West, ensuring residents' views are heard and represented. He works collaboratively with community members, local organisations, the council and ward councillors. His volunteering record is extensive and long standing. He has been instrumental in the Knowle West Alliance Housing Group and contributed to the design, implementation and launch of the Local Lettings Policy.
Ian is an active member of:
- the Knowle West Alliance Working Group
- Knowle West Futures
- the Knowle West Residents Planning Group
- the High Street Action Group
- Filwood Broadway Working Group
- Filwood Broadway Action Team
He supports community organisations, provides community voice and advocates for the community. He was a founding member of Knowle West Alliance and has attended bi monthly Working Group meetings since 2019. He works alongside residents and councillor officers for purposeful and appropriate developments.
He is a trustee of Filwood Hope Advice Centre and was previously a trustee of Streetspace. He has worked alongside Goram Homes and spent many hours knocking on doors, attending meetings, sending emails and contacting individuals to help achieve the Knowle West Local Lettings Policy. He volunteers many hundreds of hours per year advocating for the community.
Ian has contributed to University of Bristol research and Social Work courses. He is described as an ever present force in Filwood and Knowle West, one of the most diligent community activists, essential to key initiatives such as Knowle West Futures and the Knowle West Housing Group. His encouragement helped achieve the Filwood Local Lettings Policy allocating 50% of new social housing to local residents and families.
He is a reliable source of enthusiasm, common sense and tenacity, never looking for recognition.
John Colley
A lifelong pillar of comfort for those who needed it most
John (“Jack”), now aged 88, has volunteered with Bristol Samaritans for 53 years, offering compassionate support to people in crisis, including thirty years of dedicated night shift work.
He has served as a trustee, branch director, and outreach volunteer, inspiring generations of Samaritans and remaining a vital contributor to the charity's 24/7 service.
Both the Association and John demonstrate exceptional long-term voluntary commitment and meaningful impact on the wellbeing of Bristol's communities.
Keith Way
Championing local nature and biodiversity, one habitat at a time
Keith Way has devoted decades to protecting and enhancing nature and wildlife across Hartcliffe, Withywood, Dundry, and South Bristol.
His extensive ecological knowledge, leadership of conservation groups, and commitment to rewilding, wildlife monitoring, and environmental education have had a lasting impact on local green spaces. Keith has consistently defended threatened habitats, led community walks, produced rewilding maps, and inspired residents to value their environment.
His unwavering dedication, often carried out quietly and independently, has been central to safeguarding local biodiversity
Luke Cooper
Growing greener communities through hands‑on action and leadership
Luke Cooper has made an outstanding voluntary contribution to environmental action and community life in Hartcliffe and Withywood. He has founded or helped run several Friends of Parks groups, encouraging residents to care for and take pride in local green spaces. His work extends into broader environmental stewardship, serving as a wildlife, tree, and orchard champion, a river monitor, and an active member of multiple conservation initiatives.
Luke collaborates constructively with Bristol City Council, Your Park, and community organisations to improve parks, support biodiversity, and strengthen civic participation.
He also plays a key role in community planning through the Ignite Plan. Known for his calm, collaborative leadership, he has significantly enhanced access to and engagement with local green spaces.
Malcolm Sims
Keeping Victoria Park Bowls Club thriving through 60 years of dedication
Malcolm is the longest standing member of Victoria Park Bowls Club and has been its president for over a decade. He goes the extra mile for people and for the club, and the club is thriving. In his 80s he still opens and closes the building at night for the Park's Action Group meetings. He has given long, dedicated and loyal service to the local community.
He has supported members personally, including coaching after illness, helping people become experienced bowlers with patience, humanity and encouragement.
He organises bowl tours, social events, competitions and charity events, raising money for charities including the Alzheimer's charity. He encourages new members of all ages to get involved for exercise, social and mental health benefits, giving him a longstanding reputation for help and compassion.
He has served the club for over 25 years as captain, coach, organiser of social events and tours, and by supporting charities at Christmas with a Carol morning.
He is a loyal and industrious member, active in committee work, offering valued input and experience, representing older members and helping the club survive. His service has been acknowledged through his appointment as president.
Mario Saeed
Turning a gym into a safe haven and lifeline for young people
Mario Saeed, founder of Trojan Free Fighters in St Jude's, has made an exceptional voluntary contribution to Bristol by supporting young people, tackling knife crime, and strengthening community safety.
Since 2022 he has provided free classes, mentoring, and a safe environment for hundreds of young people, helping them build discipline, confidence, and positive life choices.
His work extends beyond the gym. He established a free food club for families in need, supports homeless residents with essential supplies, and regularly speaks in schools about violence and knife crime.
Trojan also hosts one of Bristol's first knife‑surrender bins outside a police station, leading to the safe disposal of many weapons. Mario's commitment, funded largely from his own resource, has transformed lives, reduced local risks, and offered vital support to vulnerable communities.
‘I am so proud of myself I do not need to carry a knife anymore to protect myself- Thanks Trojan for helping me make the right choice'.
Mark Rowlands
Building a citizen‑led movement that's cleaning Bristol and beyond
Mark Rowlands is the perfect candidate for this nomination. His incredible acts of selflessness and innovation have inspired students, young people, and Bristol residents. Through the One Million Bags project, Mark has worked tirelessly to encourage the community to get outside, exercise, and give back by collecting one million bags of litter. His commitment resulted in him being awarded the P.E.A Sustainability Award 2025.
Mark's project has influenced many to take an interest in the environmental impacts of waste. He inspires young people to get involved and is rolling out his initiative to schools.
After bringing back a bag of litter from Everest Base Camp in 2024, Mark launched One Million Bags on Strava, motivating many to take responsibility and removing the stigma around litter picking. With 315 active members, he has logged 1129 bags himself and inspired the collection of over 144,000 bags around Bristol, the UK and internationally in 2025. This significantly improves quality of life for residents, including recent work on the river clean in Hartcliffe.
Mark encourages mental and physical well-being by helping others get outside and give back to the city. His selflessness motivates people to change their behaviour, and he has collaborated with Bristol Waste to increase public access to equipment.
Bristol Waste recognises Mark's unpaid service, noting that One Million Bags mobilises citizen-led environmental action and fosters civic pride and community stewardship. His work in Hartcliffe removed trolleys, electric items, and bags of litter, and he has collaborated on joint community activity including the Brislington litter pick with the Deputy Lord Mayor. He is working on a large-scale community event as part of the Great Bristol Spring Clean.
Mark inspires participation through ideas such as “trash and dash,” making litter picking accessible to everyone. His persistence, enthusiasm, and encouragement continue to attract more people daily. Members of the challenge describe how it has improved their well-being, strength, and local environment, with one participant collecting 135 bags in a year.
Mark's campaign has expanded internationally, generating media and political interest. His dedication to environmental and health benefits makes him an outstanding example of voluntary service. He is a great choice for this nomination.
Pat (Leonard Patrick) Withers
Serving his community with heart, faith and unwavering dedication
Pat Withers is nominated for his exemplary, dedicated, voluntary service to the Community of St Gerard Majella, Knowle, and Bristol Harlequins RFC, Brislington.
At the age of four, Pat joined the team of altar servers at St Gerard's and has supported parish priests and visiting clergy with reverent contribution during acts of worship and services at key, important milestones in people's lives. He has given his time freely, working quietly behind the scenes keeping the church and facilities open and accessible to all.
At the age of 87, Pat's unwavering commitment continues. He is one of the most active members of the community, still serving, recruiting and teaching generations of new servers, giving them the opportunity to become confident young people with skills to succeed. He organises and supports the parish maintenance team, ensuring that the Church hall, a vital community space, is cleaned, maintained and suitable for parish events, private celebrations or Sunshine Pre School.
Pat welcomes new members from all over the world and is a friendly, respected member of the community. Recognised previously with the Papal Award, The Benemerenti Medal, his exceptional contribution and selfless service merit a Lord Mayor's Medal.
Pat has also been a dedicated and valued member of Bristol Harlequins RFC for over sixty years, giving a lifetime of service. His exceptional, sustained and entirely voluntary contribution includes roles such as Chair and President, captaining, coaching, managing teams, mentoring players and taking on first aid responsibilities to ensure safety and wellbeing. He worked tirelessly to secure a new home ground and acts as a trustee to the site.
Now over 80, he still regularly cleans and maintains club facilities, accepts brewery deliveries and delivers kits to the laundrette. He leads social events, raises money for the Mini and Junior division, and continues to travel to all senior games.
Pat is described as a keystone of the parish, showing tireless commitment, unwavering service and exceptional voluntary work as he approaches his 88th birthday. His immense contribution supports thousands of young people, with consistent dedication that goes unnoticed by many but is deeply valued.
Rachel Heaton
Building a stronger community around Jubilee Pool and beyond
Rachel Heaton has provided exceptional voluntary service to the community of Knowle through her extensive work with Jubilee Pool and numerous local organisations.
As a founding Director and Trustee of the Friends of Jubilee Pool, she played a central role in securing the pool's Community Asset Transfer, establishing the charity, and leading its communications, fundraising, and community engagement. Rachel also volunteers as a lifeguard and Rookie Lifeguard instructor, supports major events, strengthens partnerships, and is a trusted, visible presence for swimmers and residents.
Her dedication extends to Scouts, Redcatch Arts Club, and local community initiatives, where she contributes tirelessly with creativity, organisation, and enthusiasm.
Jubilee Pool's success and strong community identity are due in large part to Rachel's leadership, reliability, and unwavering commitment.
Roger Metcalfe
Devoting nearly 40 Years to better homes, better support and better futures
Roger Metcalfe has devoted nearly forty years of voluntary leadership to All Saints Church Lands Charity, providing sustained governance, compassion, and strategic vision in support of older and vulnerable Bristol residents.
As Chair of Trustees, he has guided the charity with integrity, ensuring it remains faithful to its historic mission while leading major modern developments, including the creation of a pioneering £9m intergenerational almshouse project, the first of its kind in Bristol and the UK.
His service has strengthened community welfare, housing provision, and heritage stewardship. Widely respected for his wisdom, dedication, and selfless commitment, Roger has also contributed to several other Bristol charities, making a significant and lasting impact on the city.
Webster Matthews
Shaping futures and safeguarding community spaces through decades of dedication
Matthews has dedicated over fifty years to supporting young people and strengthening community life across Bristol and Somerset, including fifteen years entirely voluntary. His youth work has transformed lives through steadfast guidance, genuine care, and a commitment to building confidence, resilience, and opportunity for generations.
His influence extends beyond direct youth work into decades of service with Phoenix West Indian Cricket Club, where he acted as player, coach, captain, chair, and mentor, safeguarding the club's legacy and supporting young men in sport.
Web also serves as a volunteer director of Rose Green Sports and Leisure, helping secure long‑term sustainability for local facilities. Colleagues, former youth members, and community leaders consistently highlight his integrity, loyalty, and leadership, as well as the lasting impact of his quiet, dedicated service.
Web's lifelong commitment, authenticity, and transformative influence make him profoundly deserving of recognition.