Our annual People Awards celebrate our incredible volunteers, service users and staff, shining a light on their huge contribution and outstanding achievements.

This year, the winners were announced on 8 November at a glittering awards ceremony at our North West Regional Centre in Atherton, Manchester, hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay.

We’re delighted to introduce a new category for 2023, the Hero Dog Award. This is for any of our dogs - guide dog, buddy dog or guide dog mum or dad - who has gone above and beyond, or is just an everyday hero who deserves recognition for everything they do.

Service User awards winners

• Outstanding Person of the Year - Scott Bailey, guide dog owner, Liverpool

• Guide Dog Partnership of the Year – Anica Zeyen and Lassie, Reading

• Inspirational Young Person of the Year – Mason Davies

• Hero Dog Award – Stormzy, buddy dog to Josselin

Volunteer awards winners

• Person-Centred – Marilyn Fisher, Volunteer Voices representative, Speaker, Fundraising group Coordinator, Collection Box Coordinator and Merchandise Coordinator, South East

• Expert – Lisa Allison, Puppy Raiser, Speaker and Fundraiser, North West

• Optimistic – Yvonne Smith, Puppy Raiser and Puppy Fosterer, Midlands

• Partner – Sevenoaks Fundraising Group, South East

• Lead by Example – Catherine Pitney, Fundraising Group Coordinator, Collection Box Coordinator, Merchandise Coordinator and Fundraiser, South West

• Engage – Lynda Browett, My Sighted Guide, South West

• Community My Sighted Guiding Award - Bryan White, South East

• Chairman’s Innovation Award – Terry Quinn, Speaker and Fundraiser, North East.

• The Princess Alexandra Award for Lifetime Achievement – Janet and Clive Evans, Brood and Stud dog Fosterers, Midlands

Staff awards winners

• Person-Centred – Anna Standing, CAS Operations Manager, Midlands and East

• Expert – Pete Lock, National Habilitation Lead, Belfast

• Optimistic – Janine Dixon, Head of Breeding Operations, National Centre

• Partner – Guide Dogs’ Events Team

• Lead by Example – Tony Benham, CAS Operations Manager, North East

• Engage – Anne Rowse, Community Fundraising Relationship Manager, Edinburgh

• Chairman’s Innovation Award – Lisa Knight (Head of Community Fundraising) and team, with credit for volunteer Rob Armstrong

• The Princess Alexandra Award for Lifetime Achievement – Peter Smith, Guide Dog Mobility Specialist, Scotland & Northern Ireland

Congratulations to all the winners and all those nominated!