Suffolk Community Awards

The Awards

There are 17 awards available ranging from youth participation and young person of the year to community building, contribution to volunteering, most active communities and council, councillor, young councillor and clerk of the year. Please click on the category below for the nomination criteria.

Nominations are now closed for this year’s awards.

Winning entries will be invited to a presentation ceremony at the Museum of Food in Stowmarket on Tuesday 24th September 2024, from 16.30-19:00.

The Colonel Probert Award for a Voluntary Group or Community

Nomination Criteria

This award provides recognition to a group or community that has worked for the benefit of the community. We are looking for a group or community which has made a real and positive difference by:

  • Empowering the community to make their own decisions and changes to make their community a better place to live
  • Strengthening the community to become more joined up and stronger
  • Encouraging all members of a community to participate and make a real and lasting difference

Eligibility

To be eligible to enter the Community Action Suffolk Colonel Probert Award the following eligibility criteria apply:

  1. The voluntary or community group is based in Suffolk
  2. The benefitting community is in Suffolk

A group or community are able to nominate themselves

Prize

The winner receives a certificate,  a trophy, and a cash prize of £50

The Ian Campbell MBE Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to their Community

Nomination Criteria

This award recognises an unsung individual who has worked, often unseen, for the benefit of the community. This could be an individual who has:

  • Made a real and positive impact on the community
  • Gone above and beyond their role for the benefit of the community
  • Inspired and motivated others

Examples could include successful fundraising for a community project or taking on a lead role in a substantial community project.

Eligibility

To be eligible to enter the Community Action Suffolk Ian Campbell MBE Award the following eligibility criteria apply:-

  1. The individual is based in Suffolk
  2. The benefitting community is in Suffolk

Prize

The winner receives a certificate, The Campbell Cup, and a cash prize of £50

The Village Hall & Community Building Award for a Village Hall or Community Building’s Management Committee’s Contribution to the Community

Award sponsored by Business Services at CAS

Nomination Criteria

This award provides recognition of the positive contribution made to a community by its Village Hall or Community Building that is:

  • At the heart of its community
  • Providing a vital service accessible to all members of the community
  • Having a positive impact on the lives of the people living in that community

A community building doesn’t just have to be a community centre. It could be anything that is there for the whole community which really adds value to people’s lives. Examples include pubs, schools, libraries, cafes, and adapted ex-phone boxes!

Eligibility

To be eligible to enter the Community Action Suffolk Village Hall & Community Building Award, the following eligibility criteria apply:

  1. The voluntary or community group is based in Suffolk
  2. The benefitting community is in Suffolk

A group or community are able to nominate themselves

Prize

Winner receives a certificate, trophy and £100 cash prize

Award sponsored by Business Services at CAS

The Anne Dunford OBE Award for Youth Participation

Nomination Criteria
This award recognises youth participation, where children and young people aged 11 to 19 (or up to 25 with disabilities/additional needs) were actively engaged in the set up and running of a project or venture.

Eligibility

To be eligible to enter the Community Action Suffolk Anne Dunford OBE Award the following eligibility criteria apply:

  • A group of children or young people (minimum of two) aged 11 to 19 (or up to 25 with disabilities/additional needs) were actively engaged in the set up and running of the project or venture
  • This participative work is to have been carried out in the past 12 months
  • The voluntary or community group running the project or venture is based in Suffolk

A group is able to nominate themselves

    Prize

    The winner receives a certificate, trophy and cash prize of £250

    Suffolk Good Neighbour Award

    Award sponsored by Suffolk Community Foundation

    Nomination Criteria
    Is your neighbour one in a million?
    Do they make a difference to your life or the lives of the people in your community?

    This award is a chance for you to say thank you to a neighbour or group of neighbours who go out of their way to help others, someone who shows kindness, compassion and consideration.

    This could be because they have:

      • Helped you out at a time of crises or are a good neighbour all the time
      • Gone out of their way to keep the area they live in looking clean and tidy
      • Brings happiness and joy to your community making it a nicer place to live

    Examples could include volunteers as part of a local Good Neighbour Scheme or anyone that is living in your community making a difference.

    Eligibility

    To be eligible to enter the Suffolk Good Neighbour Award the following eligibility criteria apply:

        • Resident in Suffolk
        • The benefitting community or person is in Suffolk

    Prize

    Winner receives a certificate, trophy and cash prize of £50

    The Roddy Macleod Award for Youth Club of the Year

    Nomination Criteria

    This award recognises the Suffolk Youth Club of the Year. The Youth Club or group for children and young people (aged 11 to 18 years old), must be “small but exceptional” and made a difference to its community.

    Roddy Macleod was an enthusiastic member of the Suffolk Association of Boys Clubs, who sadly passed away in 1989 and this award honours his memory. Every year a fantastic trophy (created by Mark Coreth) and a cash prize is presented to the winner.

    Eligibility

    To be eligible to enter the Community Action Suffolk Roddy Macleod Award the following eligibility criteria apply:

    • The youth club or group is for children and young people (aged 11 to 18 years old)
    • Is a voluntary or community group
    • The youth club or group is based in Suffolk

    A club is able to nominate themselves

      Prize

      The winner receives a certificate, trophy and cash prize of £250

      The Andrew Towers Award for Young Person of the Year

      Nomination Criteria

      This award is for the Young Person of the Year and recognises the significant contribution(s) to the community of an individual young person (aged 11 to 19) in Suffolk.

      This is a special award that one young person will receive each year, owing to the generosity of Mr & Mrs Towers and the Monks Eleigh Youth Club. The award is in memory of their son, the late Andrew Towers, who was a key member of the Monks Eleigh Youth Club.

      Eligibility

      To be eligible to enter the Community Action Suffolk Andrew Towers Award the following eligibility criteria apply:

      1. An individual young person (aged 11 to 19)
      2. The young person has volunteered their time and skills to make a positive contribution to their club, group, school, local project or community
      3. The young person must be from Suffolk
      4. The people or communities who have benefited from the young person’s contributions must be based in Suffolk

      Prize

      The winner receives a certificate, trophy and cash prize of £100

       

      The Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering award

       
      Award sponsored by Kerseys Solicitors

      Nomination Criteria

      This award is for an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the community, for example:

      • made a marked difference to someone’s life
      • consistently delivered outstanding service
      • made a difference working together in the community, treating everyone with fairness and respect

      Eligibility

      To be eligible for Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering award, the following criteria apply, the volunteer:

      • needs to be resident and volunteer in Suffolk
      • can be of any age, and have volunteered for any amount of time
      • needs to be nominated by any organisation that involves volunteers, or by employers who support staff to volunteer

        Prize

        The winner receives a certificate,  a trophy and a cash prize of £50

        Event Organiser of the Year

        Award sponsored by Larking Gowen

        Nomination Criteria

        This award is for the organiser(s) of an event which uses volunteers and provides an exceptional volunteer experience

        Eligibility

        To be eligible for the Event Organiser of the Year, the following criteria apply:

        1. The event took place in Suffolk in the last 12 months
        2. The event organiser(s) is based in Suffolk
        3. Volunteers were an integral part of the running of the event

        An event is able to nominate themselves

        Prize

        The winner receives a certificate, a trophy, and a cash prize of £50

        The Faith Award

        Nomination Criteria

        This award provides recognition to a faith group that has worked for the benefit of the community. We are looking for a group which has made a real and positive difference by:

        • Reaching out to others and strengthening the community.
        • Encouraging people to participate and make a real and lasting difference.
        • Helping others in a compassionate and respectful way.
        • Made a positive impact on the community.

         

        Eligibility

        To be eligible to enter the The Faith Award the following eligibility criteria apply:

        • The voluntary community faith group is based in Suffolk, or
        • The benefitting community is in Suffolk

        A group are able to nominate themselves

        Prize

        Winners receives a certificate, trophy and £50 cash prize

        Most Active Town and Village of the Year Awards

        Nomination Criteria

        Categories

        • Small Village (under 1,000 population)
        • Large Village
        • Town

        Whether it’s football, dog-walking, yoga, hockey or allotments; we want to hear how your village or town helps residents to become and remain physically active.

        Please describe any activities that you have taken part in or have been provided in your community in the last 12 months to encourage people of all ages and abilities to be active.

        Council of the Year

        Nomination Criteria

        Nomination criteria
        SALC’s Council of the Year will stand apart, raising the bar for the sector with outstanding work across service delivery, service impact, community engagement, partnerships, and collaborative working.

        Criteria
        Please provide a 150-word supporting statement using examples for each criterion

        1. How the council has established, maintained, and managed effective relationships with other local authorities and/or organisations.
        2. How the council has ensured effective service delivery to residents, improving the quality and range of local services.
        3. How the council maintains a two-way communication with the community and how the community has responded.
        4. How the council pushes boundaries and works above and beyond expectations.

        Nominating for the award
        Anyone can nominate for this award, including council members (councillors, clerks and council staff) and the general public.

        Prize
        The winner of this award will receive a framed certificate and a cash prize of £250. The winner will also be nominated by SALC for the National Association of Local Council – Star Council Awards 2024.

        Councillor of the Year

        Nomination Criteria

        Nomination criteria
        Councillors play a vital role in their communities – they are local leaders who connect people, facilitate opportunities for involvement and make things happen in their area. This award will recognise and reward councillors who exceed expectations, show absolute dedication to their communities, and make positive changes happen.

        Criteria
        Please provide a 150-word supporting statement using examples for each criterion

        1. How the councillor has improved local services in the community.
        2. How the councillor maintains a two-way communication with the community and how the community has responded.
        3. How the councillor has overcome challenges when managing projects.
        4. How the councillor pushes boundaries and works above and beyond expectations.

        Nominating someone for this award
        Anyone can nominate for this award. The exception is that councillors cannot self-nominate or be nominated by their family members.

        Prize
        The winner of this award will receive a framed certificate and a cash prize of £250. The winner will also be nominated by SALC for the National Association of Local Council – Star Council Awards 2024.

        Young Councillor of the Year

        Nomination Criteria

        Nomination criteria
        SALC would like to celebrate and recognise the achievements of the young councillors representing their communities.  With the average age of councillors currently standing at around 60, young people can face a challenge in overcoming barriers to becoming elected.  This award will recognise a councillor who was 30 or under when last elected and has contributed significantly to their community.

        Criteria
        Please provide a 150-word supporting statement using examples for each criterion

        1. How the councillor has improved local services in the community
        2. How the councillor maintains a two-way communication with the community and how the community has responded.
        3. How the councillor has overcome challenges when managing projects.
        4. How the councillor pushes boundaries and works above and beyond expectations

        Nominating someone for this award
        Anyone can nominate for this award.  The exception is that councillors cannot self-nominate or be nominated by their family members.

        Prize
        The winner of this award will receive a framed certificate and a cash prize of £250.  The winner will also be nominated by SALC for the National Association of Local Councils – Star Council Awards 2024.

        Clerk of the Year

        Nomination Criteria

        Nomination criteria
        Responsible for the overall management of local councils, clerks play a vital role in local communities and, indeed, local government. We are looking for exceptional candidates for this category with the strongest leadership, relationship and project management skills; that are highly trained and experienced.  This award winner will be a clerk who implements key council objectives for the community’s benefit.

        Criteria
        Please provide a 150-word supporting statement using examples for each criterion

        1. How the clerk provides leadership and direction.
        2. How the clerk has established, maintained and managed relationships internally and externally for the council’s benefit.
        3. How has the clerk overcome challenges when managing projects.
        4. How the clerk pushes boundaries and works above and beyond expectations.

        Nominating someone for this award
        Anyone can nominate for this award. The exception is that clerks cannot self-nominate or be nominated by their family members.

        Prize
        The winner of this award will receive a framed certificate and a cash prize of £250.  The winner will also be nominated by SALC for the National Association of Local Councils – Star Council Awards 2024.