The awards recognise and celebrate volunteers, charities, carers, community leaders, staff and businesses that make an exceptional contribution to the community.
New for this year are awards for Charity of the Year, Foster Carer of the Year and Green Business of the Year. The Volunteer Leader of the Year Award has been renamed ‘The Beryl Dixon Community Leader of the Year Award’, in honour of Beryl Dixon, a well-respected advocate for the BME community who sadly died in 2017.
Councillor Dine Romero, council leader said: “From those who work to protect and care for the most vulnerable in our community to those helping the council address the climate emergency, there are many people and organisations right across Bath and North East Somerset who work tirelessly for the benefit of the community. We want to hear about these unsung heroes so we can recognise the valuable contribution they make to the lives of our residents. We’ve already has a good response, but I’m sure there are many other individuals and organisations across the district worthy of nomination and we’d love to hear about them.”
Last year’s winners included Volunteer Team of the Year The Training at the Trough team at Bath City Farm. The project provides work experience tailored to meet the needs of adults living with learning disabilities. The team help run the community cafe, and achieve personal goals, as well as the opportunity to gain professional qualifications. The team was praised for being dedicated, inspiring and enthusiastic.
This year’s awards categories are:
Category 1: Volunteering
Volunteer of the Year / Young Volunteer of the Year (25 and Under)
Volunteer Team of the Year / Young Volunteer Team of the Year (25 and Under
The Peter Duppa-Miller Lifetime Achievement / Young Volunteer Leader of the Year (25 and Under)
Category 2: Charities
Charity of the Year
The Beryl Dixon Community Leader of the Year
Category 3: Carers
Carer of the Year / Young Carer of the Year (25 and Under)
B&NES Foster Carer of the Year
Category 4: Business
Business in the Community
Green Business Leader of the Year
Category 5: Services to the community
Above and Beyond Employee of the Year (partner organisations only)
Above and Beyond Employee Team of the Year (partner organisations only)
Employee Long Service Award (partner organisations only)
Residents, staff, councillors, businesses, organisations and groups, teachers, and volunteers from Bath and North East Somerset can nominate people or organisations for an award. Nomination forms must be returned by no later than 20th December.
People can nominate online by visiting: www.bathnes.gov.uk/communityawards
Nomination forms can also be downloaded and posted, clearly marked ‘The Community Awards 2019/2020’, to: The Community Awards 2019/20, c/o Chief Executive Office, Partnerships and Corporate Services, Bath & North East Somerset Council, The Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW
Everyone nominated for an award will be presented with a certificate in recognition of their contribution and invited along to the Awards in the Assembly Rooms in Bath on 25 February 2020. The winners of each category will receive a certificate and will be presented with a personalised Bath Aqua Glass Award at the event.
The Community Awards are organised in partnership with B&NES Clinical Commissioning Group, CURO, Sirona Care and Health, B&NES Virgin Care, Student Community Partnership, Bath College and a new partner for this year, 3SG.
