THE category for Voluntary Organisations was sponsored by The Northern Echo and the award was designed by Jane Charles.

The winner was Renew North East, a registered charity based in Felling, Gateshead, that works to improve the employment prospects of people across the region who have found it hard to get jobs.

This includes those with criminal records and people with disabilities.

Staff are recruited on six-month contracts and trained to NVQ level 2 through its operation to recycle white goods, which are sold to people on low incomes.

The five-year-old group also works to improve numeracy and literacy in all its staff. As a result, more than two-thirds go on to find employment.

Paul Keast, the charity's chief executive, said: "Our programme gives them the confidence to go on and get a job."

The charity won the new business award at last year's event, which was held only for Tyneside organisations.

He said: "We spend most of our working life solving problems, so it is nice when someone outside that tells you what you are doing is good."

Liz Reay, operations director at Equality North East, said: "Their aim is to give everybody a chance and make them part of the team."

Also shortlisted were Tyneside Cyrenians and Financial Inclusion Newcastle. Tyneside Cyrenians is a registered charity that works across Tyneside to provide long and short-term supported accommodation to vulnerable people.

Mrs Reay said: "They showed that they were committed to working within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discrimination and believe that respect for the rights and individuality of service users and their staff is intrinsic to their business."

Financial Inclusion Newcastle works to promote financial inclusion through community and enterprise support, financial awareness and money advice.

Mrs Reay said: "Their desire for an equal and diverse workforce is mirrored in the development and implementation of excellent staff policies covering recruitment, working practices and training and development."