Nominations Open To Shine A Light On North Yorkshire's Community Champions

North Yorkshire Council has launched its annual Community Awards with two new categories to celebrate the region's dedicated volunteers and local organisations.

The search for North Yorkshire’s unsung heroes is officially under way as nominations open for prestigious awards celebrating those who make a significant difference in their communities.

North Yorkshire Council has launched its annual Community Awards, which aim to recognise the selfless dedication of organisations and individual volunteers who dedicate their time to improving the lives of others.

This year’s ceremony sees the introduction of two new categories designed to reflect current community priorities.

The first new category, wellbeing and community connection, has been created to recognise organisations or groups that support people in their communities to feel healthier, more connected, and included, while highlighting the importance of physical and mental wellbeing.

The second addition, inclusive communities, recognises organisations or groups that bring people together and help them to flourish. The council states that this could include breaking down technological barriers to help people access services, or removing physical barriers to enable participation in activities.

Meanwhile, the commitment to the community category remains for another year. This award recognises individual volunteers who have demonstrated unwavering dedication and exceptional service to their local area.

The leader of North Yorkshire Council, Councillor Carl Les, said:

"The Community Awards are a fantastic way of honouring the everyday heroes who improve the lives of residents in so many aspects. Every year, we hear inspiring stories from those who send in nominations, spanning our urban and rural areas, and from differing backgrounds. We want to keep our categories fresh to shine a spotlight on relevant topics. This time we are showcasing the importance of wellbeing and inclusivity among communities, and we want as many people as possible to nominate local champions."

Last year’s awards highlighted several impactful local projects, including the Malton Free Fridge, which won the collaborative spirit category. Unpaid volunteers for the project collect food six days a week from local businesses, supermarkets, gardens, and allotments that would otherwise be wasted, distributing it to anyone who needs it. They collaborate with the Wesley Centre, which provides support and a venue for sorting and distributing the supplies.

The chair and founder of Malton Free Fridge, Lindsay Wrightson, said:

"The award gave our volunteers more confidence in what they are doing and an increased look at the wider community they serve, therefore opening their eyes to more possibilities."

Another previous winner was Share Skipton, which took home last year’s community impact award. The group's members run a library of things where people can lend useful items such as leaf blowers, sewing machines, hoovers, and power tools at a low cost. They also operate a repair café where people can get broken or damaged items fixed for free by expert volunteers.

The project coordinator of Share Skipton, Jill Coupe, said:

"After being nominated, the team was both surprised and thrilled to be selected as the winner. It celebrates the incredible efforts of our dedicated volunteers, as well as the growing number of residents embracing our services to share, reuse, mend, and learn. This award has helped raise awareness of Share Skipton. It has been an amazing year, and we are very grateful to North Yorkshire Council for their support."

The founder and chair of the trustees at Share Skipton, Angela Monaghan, added:

"In a time of rising costs and climate urgency, we are offering practical solutions that bring people together and prove that sustainable living and stronger communities go hand in hand. The recognition marks a significant milestone for the organisation and highlights the positive impact of grassroots community initiatives in addressing both environmental and social challenges."

The closing date for this year's nominations is the 5th of July, and forms can be completed on the North Yorkshire Council website.

Finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony at the North Yorkshire Wider Partnership Conference, which will be held at the Pavilions of Harrogate on the North Yorkshire Showground on the 16th of October.

The winner of each category will receive £1,000 for their project, group, or a nominated relevant local charity in the case of the volunteer awards. In addition, two runners-up in each category will receive £250, and each finalist will be presented with a trophy and a framed certificate.