Nominations have opened for this year’s Bath & North East Somerset Council’s prestigious Community Awards, which will recognise those who go above and beyond.
The Guildhall entrance in Bath | Photo © chrisdorney / Shutterstock.com
Residents are being asked to nominate inspirational individuals, businesses or organisations.
This year there are ten categories, and the winners will be invited to a special event hosted by the Chair of the Council, Councillor Sarah Moore.
A special plaque acknowledging the award winners will also be erected in a community setting dedicated to their work.
Councillor Moore said: “The awards are our way of thanking exceptional people and groups who carry out tremendous work within our communities.
“It’s an opportunity for us to officially recognise unsung heroes who do extraordinary things to make a real difference to people’s lives, from volunteering to caring, to tackling some of society’s biggest challenges.
“If you know an individual, business or organisation who goes the extra mile and demonstrates outstanding citizenship then please do nominate them. I look forward to meeting the winners later this year.”
Nominations are now open in the following categories:
- Category 1 – The Peter Duppa-Miller Award: This award acknowledges the commitment and service provided by a Town or Parish Councillor within the Bath and North East Somerset area. It was established in memory of Peter Duppa Miller, a dedicated advocate for rural communities and parishes across the area, who sadly passed away in 2015.
- Category 2 – The Beryl Dixon Community Leader of the Year: This recognises a paid employee or volunteer of a charity who has shown outstanding leadership in advancing equality and championing the rights of marginalised groups. This award has been named in honour of Beryl Dixon MBE, a passionate advocate for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Communities who sadly passed away in 2017.
- Category 3 – Charity of the Year: This award will recognise a charitable organisation that provides outstanding services in support of residents and the community of Bath and North East Somerset.
- Category 4 – The Willson Volunteer of the Year Award: This acknowledges volunteers who have made an exceptional contribution to the community. The award is named after Jenny Willson, a former employee of Bath & North East Somerset Council, who sadly passed away in 2023. Jenny was known for her leadership in promoting health and wellbeing initiatives within the community.
- Category 5 – Young Volunteer of the Year: This award will recognise a young volunteer (under 25) who has made an exceptional contribution to the community.
- Category 6 – Volunteer Team of the Year: This award is presented to a volunteer team that have made an exceptional contribution to the community.
- Category 7 – Young Volunteer Team of the Year: This award will be given to a young volunteer team (under 25s) that has made an exceptional contribution to the community.
- Category 8 – Carer and Young Carer of the Year: These awards will recognise individuals who go beyond in caring for children and adults in Bath and North East Somerset. Nominees do not have to be residents of the area, but they must support someone who lives there.
- Category 9 – Green Business Leader of the Year: This award will go to a business that has demonstrated leadership in addressing the climate emergency, actively contributing to achieving carbon neutrality in Bath and North East Somerset by 2030 and supporting their customers in adopting lower carbon lifestyles.
- Category 10 – The Healthier Business Award: This recognises a local business that has enhanced the health and wellbeing of its employees. Examples might include staff volunteering programmes, wellbeing days, support for carers etc.
You can submit your nominations using this link.
To obtain a hard copy of the form, email: [email protected] or write to Mark Hayward, The Community Awards 2023/24, Bath & North East Somerset Council, The Guildhall, High Street, Bath BA1 5AW.
The closing date for nominations is Friday 8th September 2023 with the award ceremony planned for early November.
