We’re incredibly proud to share that Rebuild East Midlands has been named Enterprising Charity of the Year at the Derby Impact Awards.
The evening itself was a powerful reminder of the depth, compassion, and ambition that exists across Derby’s voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector. To be shortlisted alongside so many organisations doing extraordinary work, let alone to hear Rebuild’s name announced, was genuinely unexpected and deeply moving.
During the awards, Rebuild’s CEO Paul McAnulty spoke about the importance of lived experience in shaping services that truly work, and what it means to bring both personal and professional experience into leadership. From beginnings marked by exploitation to standing in a room celebrating community impact, the moment reflected not just personal journey, but the collective effort behind Rebuild’s work.
A team effort, built over time
This award belongs wholly to Rebuild’s people.
To Lesley, whose vision and foundations built Rebuild long before the organisation reached this stage. To every member of the team, including those who quietly get on with the work away from social media, for their compassion, graft, care, and unwavering commitment to the people we support.
Rebuild exists because of the way this team shows up, day after day, walking alongside individuals rebuilding their lives after exploitation and advocating for safer, fairer systems.
What Enterprising means for Rebuild
Being recognised as Enterprising Charity of the Year speaks directly to the direction Rebuild is taking.
For us, enterprise isn’t about moving away from values, it’s about strengthening them. Through initiatives such as our Business Ambassador Programme, we’re bringing together lived experience, frontline insight, and professional expertise to help businesses act responsibly, prevent exploitation, and contribute directly to meaningful change.
This approach reflects our ambition to break down silos, where frontline support, corporate responsibility, and lived experience are too often treated separately and instead build joined-up solutions that work in the real world.
Celebrating with our city
We were honoured to celebrate alongside civic leaders, partners, and fellow changemakers, including Catherine Atkinson, the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, and organisations from across Derby and the wider region.
Our thanks go to Derby Social Ventures and Nimbus Disability for creating platforms that amplify voices and missions that deserve to be seen, and to everyone involved in making the Derby Impact Awards such a meaningful celebration of social impact.
Looking ahead with pride and purpose
This award is a moment of pride but also a moment of reflection and momentum.
Rebuild East Midlands remains committed to survivor-centred support, lived-experience leadership, and working in partnership with responsible businesses to create viable alternatives to exploitation.
We’re humbled, grateful, and excited for what comes next, proud to be part of Derby’s story, and proud of the people who make Rebuild what it is.
