IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE THE SHINING STARS OF SUFFOLK’S COMMUNITIES:
LET’S GET THE NOMINATIONS FOR THE SUFFOLK COMMUNITY AWARDS ROLLING IN!
The search for Suffolk’s most inspirational individuals, groups, councils and communities, has officially launched today.
The Suffolk Community Awards 2024 will recognise and celebrate all those who have improved the quality of life for a community in Suffolk.
It is a partnership approach, delivered by Community Action Suffolk, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Association of Local Councils.
This year will be bigger than ever with 17 awards now up for grabs. Categories ranging from youth participation and young person of the year to community building, contribution to volunteering, most active communities and council, councillor, young councillor and clerk of the year.
Nominations for any of the categories must be made by the awards website – Home – Suffolk Community Awards – and should be submitted no later than Sunday 14th July.
The prestigious award ceremony will be held for all selected winners, at the Museum of Food in Stowmarket. This takes place on Tuesday 24th September and will be hosted by former BBC Radio Suffolk breakfast presenter, Mark Murphy MBE.
Hannah Reid, Chief Executive of Community Action Suffolk, said:
“Community Action Suffolk is delighted to host our award winners at this very special collaborative event. Recognising the dedication and commitment of volunteers, community leaders and organisations across Suffolk’s voluntary sector and potentially inspiring others to get involved. We very much look forward to meeting and celebrating with our award winners.”
Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, cabinet member for Equality and Communities said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Suffolk County Council are once again supporting the Suffolk Community Awards. It’s important to celebrate the incredible impact of Suffolk’s voluntary sector, including our dedicated volunteers, inspiring community leaders and organisations. Their hard work makes Suffolk a better place to live and work, and it’s an honour to recognise and celebrate their outstanding contributions.”
Last year’s event was truly inspirational and featured the first ever Faith award. This important step recognised the value that faith groups play within their local communities. The trophy was picked up by Red Lodge Lightwave, a Christian community organisation which works in practical ways to care for those in its community. The group run a café, after school clubs and debt advice. This special award was presented by Rt Revd Martin Seeley, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich and celebrated by all.
These awards are special for so many reasons not least because they highlight the diversity of support offered to our local communities, from dedicated volunteers to large community organisations and town councils all playing a very important part in making Suffolk a great place to live and work.
Sally Longmate, Chief Executive Officer at SALC said:
“Across Suffolk there are unsung heroes who selflessly devote time, resource and funds to enhance the quality of life across our communities and it is often down to the commitment of individuals, groups and organisations who rise to the occasion and lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow. The Suffolk Community Awards offer a moment to pause, acknowledge and most importantly express gratitude to all those who play a part”
Another worthy winner of last year’s awards was Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre who took away the coveted Village Hall & Community Building Award.
“We, at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre (KWMCC) were thrilled to have been voted the winner of ‘The Community Building Award’ last year at ‘The Suffolk Community Awards 2023’. This validated the positive impact KWMCC has had on our community through our various clubs, events and initiatives. It’s a wonderful recognition of the dedication of our staff, trustees, volunteers, and supporters who have contributed to making KWMCC a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone in Suffolk. Winning this award has further inspired us to continue our mission of strengthening community bonds and enhancing the quality of life for all our residents. Thanks also to Community Action Suffolk for their support and we would actively encourage others to put nominations forward for the many categories for 2024.”
An impressive 162 nominations were carefully considered by a panel of judges last year, this year we want to give our judges even more work to do, so please do get those nominations rolling in.
To make a nomination for the Suffolk Community Awards, go to Home – Suffolk Community Awards.
The full list of categories is:
The Colonel Probert Award for a Voluntary Group or Community
The Ian Campbell MBE Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to their Community
The Village Hall & Community Building Award for a Village Hall or Community Building’s Management Committee’s Contribution to the Community
The Anne Dunford OBE Award for Youth Participation
Suffolk Good Neighbour Award
The Roddy Macleod Award for Youth Club of the Year
The Andrew Towers Award for Young Person of the Year
The Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering award
Event Organiser of the Year
The Faith Award
Most Active Town and Village of the Year Awards
Council of the Year
Councillor of the Year
Young Councillor of the Year
Clerk of the Year
Photo credit: Warren Page
Image shows: Laura Beale (Digital Campaigns Manager, Public Health, Suffolk County Council), Cllr Rod Gibson (Kesgrave Town Councillor (East Ward), Vice Chair, P&D Chair) Cllr Phillip Faircloth- Mutton (cabinet member for Equality and Communities), Hannah Reid (Chief Executive, Community Action Suffolk), Cllr Stuart Lawson (General Manager, Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre and District Councillor for East Suffolk & Suffolk County Councillor), Cllr Neal Beecroft-Smith (Kesgrave Town Councillor (East Ward) and Chairman) and Sally Longmate (Chief Executive, Suffolk Association of Local Councils)
Photo credit: Warren Page
Image shows: (from left to right) Cllr Neal Beecroft-Smith (Kesgrave Town Councillor (East Ward) and Chairman),Cllr Stuart Lawson (General Manager, Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre and District Councillor for East Suffolk & Suffolk County Councillor), Cllr Rod Gibson (Kesgrave Town Councillor (East Ward), Vice Chair, P&D Chair), Sally Longmate (Chief Executive, Suffolk Association of Local Councils), Cllr Phillip Faircloth- Mutton (Cabinet member for Equality and Communities), Hannah Reid (Chief Executive, Community Action Suffolk) and Laura Beale (Digital Campaigns Manager, Public Health, Suffolk County Council)
Photo credit: COMMUNITY ACTION SUFFOLK
Image shows: Hannah Reid, Chief Executive Community Action Suffolk
Photo Credit: SALC
Image shows: Sally Longmate (Chief Executive, Suffolk Association of Local Councils)