A few of our Phillips Law team were delighted to attend Destination Basingstoke’s annual A Place to Be Proud Of Awards last night, including Elizabeth Taylor, Lisa Perry, Daniel Weintroub, Theresa Coutts and Eliza Burt.

What are the ‘A Place To Be Proud’ Awards?

The awards celebrate the individuals, organisations, and community initiatives that make Basingstoke and Deane a great place to live and work. Each year, the event shines a spotlight on those who go the extra mile to support others, strengthen communities, and make a positive difference across the borough.

It was an inspiring evening, with countless stories of dedication, kindness, and community spirit brought to life. From volunteers and educators to charity champions and local organisations, the awards recognised the people whose efforts often go unseen but have a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Above & Beyond Award

As sponsors of the Above & Beyond Award, Phillips Law was particularly proud to support a category that recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to serving their communities beyond what would normally be expected in their role.

This year’s winner, Matt Woods, is a volunteer whose impact can be felt across numerous organisations in Basingstoke. From supporting The Orchard’s Café Project and The Pink Place cancer charity (Phillips Law’s 2025 Charity of the Year) to serving as a Trustee of the Basingstoke and District Disability Forum and volunteering with Basingstoke Voluntary Action. Matt is known for his positvity and willingness to help wherever he is needed.

What makes Matt’s contribution so remarkable is not just the number of organisations he supports, but the consistency with which he gives his time. Whether assisting at fundraising events, covering reception duties, supporting community activities, or helping vulnerable and isolated individuals feel welcome, he approaches every role with enthusiasm and kindness.

Matt does not volunteer for recognition. He volunteers because he genuinely cares about people and his community. In a world where everyone is busy, he continually chooses to show up for others, making him a truly deserving winner of the Above & Beyond Award.

The Inspirers

We were also fortunate to share a table with the team from Citizens Advice Basingstoke and were delighted to see Graham Hatcher receive special recognition for his outstanding contribution to the local community. It was a fitting reminder of the incredible work being carried out by volunteers and community champions across Basingstoke and Deane.

The calibre of this year’s finalists was outstanding. Each nominee demonstrated a remarkable dedication to supporting others and making a meaningful difference within the local community. While only one person could take home the award, every finalist embodied the spirit of going above and beyond for those around them.

Supporting initiatives such as the A Place to Be Proud Of Awards reflects Phillips Law’s long-standing commitment to the communities we serve. Throughout our 40-year history, we have been proud to support local charities, community groups, sporting events, and cultural initiatives across Hampshire.

Events like these serve as an important reminder of the incredible work taking place across our region and the people who make it happen. We would like to congratulate all finalists, winners, organisers, and sponsors who contributed to making this year’s awards such a memorable celebration of community spirit.

We look forward to continuing to support the people and organisations that help make Basingstoke a place to be proud of.

To keep up to date with Phillips Law’s Inspiring Ambition initiative, you can follow us on our new Instagram.

Photo of Phillips Law Team at the awards. Left to Right: Eliza Burt, Lisa Perry, Theresa Coutts, Elizabeth Taylor and Daniel Weintroub.