We recognise imaginative projects where school pupils, volunteers and cancer sufferers support migrants, the ecology and marginalised communities across the world

When The Tablet decided to mark its 175th anniversary year with awards for social action, our purpose was twofold. Firstly we wanted to mark the importance of Catholic Social Teaching in the life of the Church, and second we wanted to celebrate the contribution to society that so many people make. What we had not quite realised was how varied the projects were that people have undertaken to serve humanity, and how imaginative people are in their efforts to enhance the common good.

Catholic Social Teaching is a body of papal thought which expresses the Christian commitment to the world and to others in the service of God. In other words, it affects every aspect of our lives. It recognises the importance of human dignity and the care of Creation. Our award winners showed huge commitment to these values in a wide range of ways, from their solidarity with migrants to their concern for the planet. We were particularly struck by those who responded to urgent needs and invested in the future.