Published on Friday 17 March 2023
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is calling for nominations for local community heroes as they prepare to host the annual Chairman’s Community Awards.
The awards, which are now in their second year, recognise community organisations and individual volunteers who make a huge contribution to our lives across the conurbation.
There are just two weeks left to nominate someone for an award this year, with nominations closing on Thursday 30 March.
Residents are being asked if they know someone who has helped their community or the wider BCP community and encouraged to complete the nomination form and send it to mayu.roucosantos@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
A panel will decide the winners for each award category, who will then be invited to attend the celebration event.
The 2022 winners of the first ever annual Chairman’s Community Awards included 10-year-old Issy Barnbrook who claimed the ‘Young citizen of the year’ award, and local litter picking group, the Dorset Devils.
Chairman of the Council and Community Awards panel member, Councillor Nigel Hedges said:
"I am thrilled to have presented our first annual community awards on behalf of BCP Council. Over the last couple of years, we have witnessed the truly remarkable work of many individuals and community groups helping and caring for others in the community.
"A lot of the time the work goes unnoticed, but the contribution is valued, and this is an opportunity for us to celebrate their achievements."
There are a few rules around the entrance criteria. Please note that:
- no serving councillors may be nominated
- no former councillor may be nominated unless more than 5 years has passed since they served
- community groups that have a councillor as a member may be nominated
- people may not nominate themselves
- the nominee's volunteering must have been done within the BCP Council area
- the judging panel may move entries into a different category
- We also do not accept nominations for people who carry out the activity as part of paid employment unless their contributions are above and beyond what they are paid to do. Nominations must reflect this.