Jo Smith Heritage Award

Do you know a volunteer who has gone above and beyond in supporting the work of the Chamberlain Highbury Trust? Nominations are now open for the 2026 Jo Smith Heritage Award, which celebrates the dedication and contribution of volunteers who help make Highbury such a special place.

The award is presented annually to a volunteer who has made a significant contribution to the Trust, recognising qualities such as exceptional dedication, creativity, innovation and leadership. Volunteers can nominate themselves or put forward someone else for consideration. It was established in memory of Jo Smith (1969–2022), a dedicated founding trustee of the Chamberlain Highbury Trust who played an important role in the Trust’s work to protect and celebrate Highbury’s heritage.

The Trust’s mission is to preserve the historic Highbury estate as a hub for education, entertainment and community engagement, and volunteers play a vital role in helping to make that vision a reality.

Celebrating our 2025 recipient

The 2025 Jo Smith Heritage Award was presented to Phillada Ballard, a founding trustee of the Chamberlain Highbury Trust and a historical consultant with extensive knowledge of Highbury and the Chamberlain family.

Phillada has built her expertise through many years of academic and on-the-ground research. As a volunteer, she has made, and continues to make, an invaluable contribution to the Trust’s work to restore Highbury, providing specialist knowledge, advice and guidance over many years.

Her dedication is a wonderful example of the commitment and expertise that the Jo Smith Heritage Award seeks to recognise.

Nominate a volunteer

Now it’s your chance to recognise someone who has made a difference. Whether through their dedication, ideas, expertise, or simply the time they give to Highbury, we want to hear about the volunteers who deserve to be celebrated.

Help us celebrate the people who contribute so much to the Chamberlain Highbury Trust by nominating your 2026 Jo Smith Heritage Award recipient.

Submit your nomination here. Closing date for nominations: 1 September 2026

The recipient of this year’s award will be announced at the Heritage Open Day A Thousand Journeys to Highbury event on Sunday 20 September.