Three groups which support women have been praised in a county's annual High Sheriff Awards.
Future Female Society, Phoebe Women's Hub and the Moses Project, run by the Forge Community Church, all support women and girls who are marginalised for different reasons.
The Waveney Surf Life Saving Club was the fourth group to be recognised at the ceremony held in Ipswich on Wednesday.
The outgoing high sheriff, Gulshan Kayembe, said: "In their own ways, [they] are doing prevention work. The women grow in confidence, get to do things. They're going to make better lives for their children, not just themselves."
Future Female Society (FFS), a community interest company, is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
It runs a range of projects including supporting single mothers, using media projects to inspire younger women and girls, and running a radio group for migrant women and refugees.
Founder Kim Trotter said the Suffolk Community Foundation, which supports the high sheriff and uses the awards to release its annual report, had "supported us since the beginning".
"To get an award that is sort of combined recognition from them and the High Sheriff, it's such a boost... I'm over the moon and the whole team are."
The group recently held an event to celebrate their 10 year milestone, and pleaded for more support.
Trotter added: "It's a never-ending battle."
"We had that wonderful celebration event and then two days later I get an email to say 'I'm sorry we're not continuing your funding for that particular project' and so then you're like 'OK', pick myself up again and move forward."
Phoebe Women's Hub is a charity based in Ipswich, and supports black and ethnic minority women and children.
Its work includes hosting an annual conference on gender-based violence.
Founder Mollin Delve, who became tearful on stage when speaking about the work, said: "It is emotional."
"We don’t realise that when we are working, it can be draining but we just don’t realise it because we enjoy it and also it’s so effective and beneficial to so many needy people."
She also revealed the charity was acquiring a property to act as a refuge for women who have no recourse to public funding.
The Moses Project was started in 2016 to support parents who were expecting a baby and struggling to buy all the essentials.
Baskets are filled with handknitted clothes, toiletries and baby wipes by volunteers from the Forge Community Church in Debenham, Suffolk.
They are given to families in need referred to the church by professionals such as midwives and health visitors.
Nicky Thomas, who runs the project, told BBC Radio Suffolk they usually do not get to see the impact of their work.
"Not very often, but we have had one of our mums, she came back.
"She was so grateful that she actually brought her little girl, and we do get sent every so often photos from families that are really grateful for the support that we've given them."
Waveney Surf Life Saving Club was started in 2016 to teach lifesaving techniques and improve beach safety knowledge around Lowestoft and Southwold.
The club has become a thriving community in its own right, with members and followers of all ages and abilities.
Chairman Nick Ayers said: "It attracts families, communities from all over the world."
"We have young members from the age of seven, all the way through to the grandparents and they can all be part of the life saving club."
"Giving back their time but also we are providing that opportunity for them to come together in such a unique way and working together and learning off each other so that's a huge part of who we are and what we're about."
The Suffolk Community Foundation is a grant making organisation, bringing together philanthropists, private trusts, local businesses and the public sector with local charities.
They support the role of High Sheriff - a ceremonial position that changes annually.
Hannah Bloom, the foundation's chief executive, said: "I am immensely proud of everything our team has achieved over the past 12 months, and grateful to our supporters who have generously donated to help voluntary organisations improve people's lives across the county."
"We are now asking others to follow their lead to focus efforts on local support."
"As we saw from our fabulous High Sheriff Awards winners, charities keep people healthy, safe and engaged in learning, volunteering and employment which reduces pressure on other services."
"We can make Suffolk a better place to live for everyone by giving or doing what we can to help others, because it is needed now more than ever."