BBC Radio presenter Joe Sims Hosts Bristol Dementia Awards as Local Champions Honoured

Bristol actor and BBC Radio presenter Joe Sims returned to host the Bristol Dementia Awards for the third consecutive year, honoring the exceptional individuals, volunteers, and organisations making the city a more dementia-friendly community.

Organised by local charity Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA), the ceremony took place at the Aztec Hotel & Spa. Finalists gathered for an afternoon tea before the award winners were announced across 17 distinct categories covering healthcare, corporate fundraising, research, and community support.

Addressing the audience, host Joe Sims thanked attendees for “leaving the world a nicer place than they found it” and praised the dedication of local supporters across the city.

Bristol Dementia Awards 2026: Full List of Winners

Nominations were judged by an independent panel of external experts. The full list of 2026 award recipients includes:

Nominations were judged by an independent panel of external experts. The full list of 2026 award recipients includes:

• Barbara Award: Collegiate School

• Dementia Hero Award: Beverley Forrester

• Community Care Award: Home Instead Bristol North

• Residential Care Award: Bristol Care Homes

• Dementia Friendly Space Award: Age UK Bristol

• VCSE Organisation Award: Alive Activities

• Dementia Research Award: BRACE Dementia Research

• Special Recognition Award: Dr Julie Clayton

• Small Business Award: Sweet Silent Disco

• Innovation Award: Mini Concerts

• Organisation Award: Co-op Avonmouth & Your Care South-West

• Corporate Award: Wessex Water

• Community Fundraiser Award & Informal Carer Award: Teresa Grunshaw

• Corporate Fundraiser Award: Briggs & Forrester Engineering

• Place of Worship Award: Westbury Baptist Church

• Volunteer of the Year Award: Mary Jones

(Note: Individual award winners like Beverley Forrester, Teresa Grunshaw, Mary Jones, and Dr Julie Clayton do not have official public website links, so keeping them as plain text follows standard journalistic best practices.)

Building a Dementia-Aware City

The annual event celebrates those who raise awareness and improve daily life for individuals and families impacted by dementia across the region.

BDAA Chairperson William O’Neill highlighted the growing commitment across Bristol’s local sectors:

“These awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary people and organisations helping to make Bristol a more dementia aware city. The standard of nominations was exceptionally high and reflects the passion and commitment of those supporting people affected by dementia every day.”

To view official event photographs, visit the Bristol Dementia Action Alliance Awards Gallery. Local businesses and groups interested in submitting nominations for next year’s event can contact BDAA directly at office@bdaa.org.uk.

To check out the latest local news, community updates, and charity coverage across the city, visit Direct Local Bristol.