Scottish Catholic Observer

The Space won the Inclusion Award (right) at the Christian ceremony, which was hosted by broadcaster and comedian Tim Vine and Premier Christian Radio’s CEO Peter Kerridge.

“We’re really honoured to receive it, we are delighted as well because its a recognition of all the work that’s taking place and the difference we’re making,” The Space’s Margo Uprichard said. “We’re really quite excited about it as well.”

Ms Uprichard said the team were surprised to find out they had been nominated, but ‘never expected to hear anything from it again.’

They were shocked when they were notified they had been shortlisted for the award, and were overwhelmed to win in the category.

“Never for a minute did we think we would win the award,” she said, due to the ‘amazing calibre’ of the other nominees and the short time that The Space has been in operation.

“It was a real and very pleasant surprise,” she added.

As part of the award, The Space will pick up £5,000 worth of free publicity from Premier Christian Radio, which has 1.1 million listeners tune in every week.

“It’s of immense credit to the staff and the volunteers,” Ms Uprichard said, noting that the ‘goodwill in here is second to none.’

“It’s really inspiring,” she added.

Hundreds attended the second annual event at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London, where The Space beat off stiff competition from five other nominees.

The top award of the night was presented to Wild Goose, a free cafe for the ­omeless in Bristol, P09 Pioneers took home the Community Building Award, Memory Worship clinched the prize for Work with Older People for their programme helping those with dementia, the Ignite Trust got the gold for the Youth and Children’s Work division, while workers giving out recycled school uniforms through the Wirral FUSS and FUPS initiative were honoured with the Disadvantaged prize.