Good Shepherd, a charity that works to end homelessness, support recovery and create pathways out of poverty in the West Midlands, has been named a 2025 Weston Charity Award winner, collecting a support package valued at over £22,000.
Good Shepherd is one of 21 ambitious frontline charities working in the fields of community, environment, welfare and youth support that have been named 2025 winners.
The Weston Charity Awards support the vital work of small charities across the Midlands, Wales, and the North of England. Award winners gain free access to ‘Pilotlight 360’ – a remarkable eight-month support programme of charity leadership coaching worth an estimated £16,000.
Expert “Pilotlighters” from private and public sectors offer professional mentoring on topics from income diversification to long-term business strategies. In addition, Award winners receive a grant of £6,500 from the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Good Shepherd was chosen from over 160 applicants, alongside other Midland-based charities, including Escape Arts, Standing Tall and Woodland Heritage.
Tom Hayden, Chief Executive of Good Shepherd said:
“We are honoured to be named a 2025 Weston Charity Award winner. This recognition reflects the hard-work and dedication of our amazing team at the Good Shepherd, working to end homelessness, support recovery and create pathways out of poverty for some of the most marginalised people in our community.
“The support package including the Pilotlight 360 programme and grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation will make a huge difference to our work and help us to support even more people in our city.“
Clare Gough, Director at the Garfield Weston Foundation, commented:
“Congratulations to all this year’s Weston Charity Award winners. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Pilotlight to support these exceptional and varied charities. We understand the ever-increasing pressure on charities to deliver their crucial work. These Awards give them the space to reflect, learn, and forge a path to long-term sustainability and success.”
Ed Mayo, Chief Executive of Pilotlight, added:
“Whatever size, charities can have a big impact, but research shows that right now, two universal challenges are income generation and management skills gaps. Thanks to Pilotlight’s partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation, these Awards provide the lifeline needed for charities to overcome stumbling blocks and navigate times of uncertainty.”
Since launching in 2014, over 200 charities have received Weston Charity Awards. The most recent impact report revealed that six months after participating in Pilotlight 360, an impressive 100% of charity leaders said it positively impacted the effectiveness of their senior management team.
The 2025 winners have diverse missions, working across specialisms including mental health, homelessness, reoffending, poverty, health, neonatal care, community support, equality and diversity, safety, education, parenting, disability, self-esteem, and sustainability.
For more information about the Weston Charity Awards, visit:
www.pilotlight.org.uk/weston-charity-awards