Offenders from across the county won praise for turning their lives around at a ground-breaking awards ceremony organised by Hertfordshire Probation Trust in Stevenage on Monday 7 March.

Some 13 offenders received prizes sponsored by the private sector companies Sainsbury's, Serco and Steria, as well as from North Hertfordshire College and Gerald Corbett, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire. Tessa Webb, Chief Executive of Hertfordshire Probation Trust also sponsored a prize.

Also attending the event were police, the judiciary, magistrates and members of probation's partner organisations in the fight against crime, as well as probation staff working with the award winners to change their lives, leading to less crime and fewer victims.

Tessa Webb, Chief Executive of Hertfordshire Probation Trust, said afterwards: "I was thrilled with the way the evening went. The support for rehabilitation in the room was tremendous.

"Reducing reoffending is an important goal for all our communities and we must constantly look for innovative ways of tackling it.

"That's why we decided to hold these awards, as a way of motivating people and recognising the effort and achievement of all those who commit to turning their lives around. It is my ambition to see today's award-winners become tomorrow's role models, an inspiration to other offenders."

Tessa added: "I am hugely grateful to all our sponsors, without whom this event could never have taken place in the current climate of public spending cuts. I think their enthusiasm for these awards is a very positive reflection of people seeing reducing crime as a challenge for the whole community and not just for the criminal justice agencies."

Richard Harrington, MP for Watford, was unable to attend the event, but sent a message of support, which was read out. He said: "I'm very familiar with the work of the Trust, and I have seen for myself just how important their work is and how good they are at doing it. [...] It will be the experiences of all those who have achieved so much being celebrated tonight that give voice to the story of making positive choices whilst on probation, and leading a life after crime."

The award categories were:

Individuals:

North Hertfordshire College Best Learner - winner Laura Franklin, Cheshunt

Steria Best IT Story Award - winner Wendy Nichols, aged 50 (Hemel Hempstead)

Serco Employment Achievement Award - winner Milton Manaia, aged 34 (Watford)

Chief's Award for Best Personal Achievement - winner Michael Hobbs, aged 27 (Welwyn Garden City)

High Sheriff's Awards for Achievement in Overcoming Addiction - winners Nabil Elmoumni, aged 36 (Cheshunt); Rory Wilson, aged 34 (Hemel Hempstead); Charlene Shortt, aged 27 (Shenley)

Team:

Sainsbury's Best Community Payback project - Grove House, a Mencap residential home in Borehamwood, was the winning project, and the team members working on the project who received a prize included: Leslie Wallin, aged 38 (Borehamwood), Toby Matthews and Chris McLuskey, aged 25 (Borehamwood).

Grove House itself received Sainsbury's vouchers worth £200.

Tessa Webb's speech at awards ceremony

Event programme

For more information, additional quotes or to interview a winner, please call the Hertfordshire Probation Trust communications officer, Barbara McSweeney, on 01992 504444.