Business awards honour community champions

Three North Tyneside organisations have been recognised for their contribution to local communities as businesses across the borough are encouraged to enter this year’s business awards.

Newcastle Fighters Academy CIC, Bear & Co Consultancy and Jasmine Yoga and Wellbeing have become the first winners announced for the North Tyneside Business Awards 2026.

The trio received honours within the Community Impact Award, which recognises organisations going above and beyond to support residents and communities.

Wallsend-based Newcastle Fighters Academy CIC received the positive change award for its work providing combat sports, health and fitness programmes for people aged from five to 70.

Its activities include free training and community initiatives aimed at making physical activity accessible to more people.

Director and head coach Marianne Barrett Brown said: “It’s been lovely. 

“It’s been nice to be recognised for the hard work that we do. 

“Connor and I work completely for free and don’t take anything from the CIC, so every penny we receive from our regular memberships goes straight back into the organisation.”

North Shields-based Bear & Co Consultancy was recognised with the collaboration award.

Founded by Cherri Bray-Mackay and husband Ross, the company provides trades and construction services to charities and organisations across North Tyneside.

Cherri added: “We were totally overwhelmed by the nominations and reading what people had written about our work. 

“I was absolutely blown away that people had taken the time to fill out the nomination form.

“It just reinforces that what we’re doing is for good and that we’re going in the right direction supporting local organisations and working with local businesses.”

Meanwhile, Tynemouth-based Jasmine Yoga and Wellbeing received the wellbeing award after spending a decade developing a community around yoga, breathwork and mindfulness.

Its work supports groups including adults, children, pregnant women, older people and neurodiverse communities.

Jo Hare, studio and retreat director at Jasmine Yoga and Wellbeing, added: “It’s just wonderful. 

“It’s a real celebration of the community that we’ve nurtured from the first five people who came to our class ten years ago to this thriving community.

“It’s such an honour to have been nominated and it’s made us feel part of something a bit bigger than ourselves.”

All three organisations were nominated by members of the public.

Their recognition comes as North Tyneside Business Forum opens entries for the remaining categories in the 29th annual awards.

Businesses of all sizes and sectors can put themselves forward for five honours covering digital innovation, sustainability, new businesses, customer service and individual employees who make an important contribution to their organisation.

Entries close at midnight on September 14, with finalists and winners set to be celebrated at Village Hotel Cobalt Parkon November 19.

The ceremony will be hosted by musician and actress Kym Marsh, best known for playing Michelle Connor in ITV’s Coronation Street.

North Tyneside Business Forum provides businesses across the borough with networking, events and signposting to growth and development support.

Membership is free to organisations with a trading address in North Tyneside.

The forum is supported by North Tyneside Council but operates independently of the local authority.

Angela Tuplin, chair of the North Tyneside Business Forum, added: “North Tyneside is an excellent place for innovation, entrepreneurship and business excellence. 

“The Community Impact Award winners demonstrate just how much local organisations contribute beyond their day-to-day business activities, whether that is through positive change, collaboration or improving wellbeing.

“The Awards are open to all businesses across North Tyneside, and I’d encourage them to put themselves forward and showcase the contribution they are making to our borough.”

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