NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR SUFFOLK COMMUNITY AWARDS
A COUNTY-WIDE search for Suffolk’s most inspirational and impactful individuals, groups, councils and communities, is officially underway from today.
The Suffolk Community Awards 2023 recognises and celebrates 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.
In total, 16 awards are up for grabs, with categories ranging from Most Active Town to Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering, and The Anne Dunford OBE Award for Youth Participation.
New this year is a special accolade acknowledging the work of the faith sector.
Named ‘The Faith Award’ it will be awarded to an individual or organisation carrying out particularly outstanding work for a faith community.
Entries for any of the categories must be made by the awards website – Home – Suffolk Community Awards – and should be submitted no later than Sunday 16th July.
A ceremony will be held for all selected winners, at the Museum of Food in Stowmarket. This takes place on Monday 25th September and will be hosted by former BBC Radio Suffolk breakfast presenter, Mark Murphy MBE.
Speaking about the launch of the awards, Chris Abraham, CEO of Community Action Suffolk, said: “Community Action Suffolk has always placed a great deal of emphasis on annually recognising and applauding the work of individuals and communities across Suffolk.
“We are delighted to again be running the awards in partnership with Suffolk County Council and SALC, and are very much looking forward to seeing the entries which come in from across the community.
“This is the perfect opportunity to shout from the rooftops about the person, group, club, neighbourhood or local council which you really feel has made a significant difference to the Iives of others.”
Cllr Bobby Bennett, Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities at Suffolk County Council added: “Suffolk County Council is a partner in the Suffolk Community Awards because they shine a light on some of the remarkable people, groups, organisations and communities which make Suffolk such a great place to live.
“I encourage everyone to head over to suffolkcommunityawards.co.uk for more information and to make a nomination.”
Another passionate advocate for the awards is last year’s winner of the Roddy Macleod Award, which applauds a youth club for its activities and operations on behalf of a community.
The award was won by Ben Poole, who set up the Lowestoft Boxing Academy.
He says: “Winning an award like this is a great way of validating the commitment you have made to people in your community.
“It recognises the work you put in, and highlights things which perhaps you feel go unnoticed at times.
“Personally, I feel that winning one of the Suffolk Community Awards was a way of cementing a legacy for myself and the organisation, and it reiterates how important the voluntary sector is to the wider community.”
To make a nomination for the Suffolk Community Awards, go to Home – Suffolk Community Awards.
The full list of categories (with sponsors listed) is:
Col Probert Award Geoffrey Probert
Ian Campbell MBE Award Ian Campbell MBE
Village Hall & Community Building Award Business Services at CAS
Andrew Towers Award Norman & Glenys Towers
Roddy Macleod Award Elizabeth Constantine
Anne Dunford OBE Award Anne Dunford OBE
Suffolk Good Neighbour Award Suffolk Community Foundation
Event Organiser Award Larking Gowen
Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Cadent
The Faith Award Bishop Martin Seeley
SALC TOWN AND VILLAGE OF THE YEAR:
Small Village
Large Village
Town
MOST ACTIVE TOWN AND VILLAGE OF THE YEAR:
Small Village
Large Village
Town
Further information is also available by emailing [email protected]
