West Berkshire Council Community Champions Awards 2019

The search has begun to find this year’s Community Champions.

The Community Champion Awards recognise the valuable contribution of local residents to communities across the district. Organised by West Berkshire Council, the awards are an opportunity to say thank you to people who have done something special for their local community.

Nominations for Community Champions can be made in four categories:

• The Pat Eastop Junior Citizen of the Year. This recognises someone 18-years-old or under, lives in West Berkshire and has made an outstanding contribution to the district and its residents. This could be through helping or caring for someone disadvantaged, performing an act of bravery, making the district a better place to live or work or having achieved excellence in education, training, employment or another outside activity.

• Volunteer of the Year. This recognises someone living in West Berkshire who has made an outstanding contribution and shown exceptional commitment to an unpaid activity.

• Community Group of the Year. This award recognises and rewards a community group (based within West Berkshire) which has made an exceptional contribution to the district and its residents. Small or large, all groups will be considered in relation to the impact they have had.

• Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognises someone who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment either in an unpaid role, involved in a project or other initiative or delivered long-lasting benefit to the community. The nominee must live in West Berkshire.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s awards, Councillor Howard Woollaston, on behalf of the Executive Committee, said: “Every day and across the district there are residents giving up their time, energy and ideas to make their community that extra bit special. At West Berkshire Council we recognise the tremendous efforts of these volunteers and the difference they make. These awards are our opportunity to reflect on their efforts and show our appreciation what they have done.”

To nominate someone or find out more about the awards (including more information on the criteria for each award category) visit www.westberks.gov.uk/communitychampion. Nominations close on Friday 25 October.