The Search for West Berkshire Community Champions Begins
Community Champions Awards (https://www.westberks.gov.uk/community-champion (opens in new window)) are back and West Berkshire Council wants your nominations.
These awards are an opportunity to say thank you to individuals and community groups who have gone above and beyond to support others throughout West Berkshire this past year.
The four categories are:
Volunteer of the Year Award
- This award recognises and awards an individual volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the district of West Berkshire and its residents. The person will have demonstrated exceptional commitment to an unpaid activity.
Community Group of the Year Award
- This award recognises and rewards a community group (based within West Berkshire or providing a service to the benefit of West Berkshire residents) which has made an exceptional contribution to the district of West Berkshire and its residents. The not-for-profit work will have involved local people, whilst promoting equality, inclusion and working together. Small or large, all groups will be considered in relation to their value to the local community.
Lifetime Achievement Award
- This award recognises the outstanding contribution made by an individual to the district of West Berkshire and its residents. The exceptional dedication and commitment of this person will have had a considerable impact in our area, and achieved positive results. The winner of this award and their work will be an inspiration to others.
The Pat Eastop MBE Junior Citizen of the Year Award
- This award recognises and awards an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the district of West Berkshire and its residents. Nominees must be 18 years old or under and meet one of the following criteria: have shown a helping or caring attitude to someone disadvantaged; or have performed an act of bravery; or have contributed to making West Berkshire a better place to live and work; or have achieved excellence in education, training, employment or in an outside activity.
Nominations are open until 11 December https://www.westberks.gov.uk/community-champion (opens in new window)
All of the awards will be judged by an independent panel and the winners will be presented with their award at a ceremony in February 2024. Paper nomination forms can be obtained by calling 01635 503973
So what can you do to increase the chances of your nominee being successful?
- Make sure you read the criteria relating to your nomination. They contain details of what the judging panel will be looking for.
- Try not to make your nomination too short (so the panel doesn’t get enough information) or too long (so that they have too much) - aim for between about 250 and 500 words, excluding testimonials.
- Make it personal – give the panel a real sense of what this person or organisation is like, and how they have made a positive impact.
- Include real world testimonials from people who have benefitted from the good work they have done.
- Add pictures if relevant – this helps to bring a nomination to life