South Kesteven District Council has started its search for the district’s community champions of 2022.
New SK Community Awards have been launched in the search for winners across seven categories, including a new schools award, with an in-person prize giving ceremony planned for October.
Last year’s Covid-restrictions prevented a public event, although all winners were invited to the Chairman’s Dinner in March.
Cllr Annie Mason, SKDC Cabinet Member for People and Safer Communities, said: “Last year our awards recognised some truly amazing people, and I could not believe just how varied our winners were. It was amazing.
“Now we want to do it all again. Look around, see who is making a difference in our communities and nominate them. Let’s give them the recognition they deserve.”
Full details, categories and entry form: www.southkesteven.gov.uk/SKAwards2022
The new Best School Green Project, focused on protection or conservation of the environment, is being sponsored by Upp, who are delivering their high-speed full-fibre broadband to homes and businesses throughout Lincolnshire.
Upp representatives will help to judge the category and donate a £500 prize to the winning primary, junior or secondary school project.
Mary Freeland, Lincolnshire Campaign Manager at Upp, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Best School Green Project. We can’t wait to look at all the entries and it’s fantastic to see the enthusiasm that children and young people have for environmental initiatives.
Last year awards in the Grantham area went to a five-year-old boy waging war on litter, an air cadet training stalwart, a young LIVES first responder and an undertaker with a difference – and a generous heart.
In Stamford, last year’s trophies went to a food distribution heroine, a cultural ground-breaker and the founder of a fitness and wellbeing network, with a community counselling charity winning two awards in Bourne.
Nominations for 2022 are open from 1 June with a closing date of 18 July.
A person or organisation can be nominated for more than one award. All nominees will be recognised with a certificate commending their efforts.
The new Best School Green Project is looking for a primary, junior or secondary school project demonstrating success in the protection or conservation of the environment - either in the community or improving the environmental impact within school settings. Other awards are:
Inspirational Young Person: to celebrate a young person who is either pioneering or supporting an activity or project that is making a difference in their local community. Nominations are encouraged in support of young people aged up to 25 years.
Business and the Community: to highlight a business involved in and benefitting its local community? Perhaps it is working to make the local area smarter, safer, healthier or more sustainable or contributing with carbon reduction projects and improving climate change outcomes.
Good Neighbour: for someone who has gone above and beyond to help their neighbour or their community - someone the neighbourhood couldn’t manage without. This may be through good deeds done on a regular basis or leaping in when there’s an emergency.
Lifetime Community Champion: to celebrate individuals who have contributed time and effort to a club, group, charity or organisation. Is there someone in the community who has given their life selflessly in the service of others, possibly a public servant, a local charity worker/supporter or fund raiser?
Health and Wellbeing Award: for an individual or group contributing to the wellbeing of others? Is there someone in the community who has helped others to make positive healthy lifestyle changes? Judges are looking for people whose actions have a positive impact on mental wellbeing, sports and physical activity.
The Neil Smith Beyond the Call of Duty Award: This special award, given in remembrance of a late council colleague Neil Smith, acknowledges the amazing work of our blue-light services. Nominations can be for a community police officer, a paramedic or ambulance crew, a local fire officer or crew, a volunteer first responder or a doctor.
