Nominations are now open for the Luton and Bedfordshire Community Awards and Cawleys are delighted to be sponsoring the Response Team Champions award.

The Luton and Bedfordshire Community Awards culminates in an annual ceremony, celebrating the unsung heroes of Luton's diverse and multicultural community. Now in its 12 year, the idea behind the awards is to recognise and applaud those who make the lives of others easier, happier and more fulfilled.

As a homegrown Luton based family business, it is an honour to be able support such a great idea and give back to the local community. Throughout the years the organisation behind the awards has supported a number of local and national charities, and to date, has raised over 400k for local causes!

The community awards ceremony will take place during November and nominations are open from July to September.

So, if you know a local Luton unsung hero who you believe deserves a little credit for all their dedication and hard work, why not nominate them today?

Award Categories

YOUNG HERO

Judges will seek to recognise any young person under 18 who has overcome a personal difficulty or made a stand to improve their life or the lives of others. For example young people coping with bereavement, bullying, disability or medical problems, or someone who has organised support for others who face such problems.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

Do you know someone, or a group or company, who provides outstanding service way above what might be expected? Then this award is for them. Tell us how they operate, and what it is about their service that is so outstanding and makes them way above average for customer care.

 

COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR (NOMINATIONS FOR GROUPS ONLY)

The judges are looking for a project that has triumphed in the community. Supporting local people whether on a one-to-one basis or as a group – maybe a community centre with projects that have had long-lasting impact on the community. All the better if they have managed on a shoe-string or achieved results despite facing challenges

COMMUNITY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The judges will want to hear about commercial organisations which provide added value to the communities they serve. Do they support a local charity in some way, sponsor a football team, never fail to show up at community events? Don’t forget companies that have high standards when it comes to reducing their environmental impact, or who promote the green agenda to customers and the community.

 

CHARITY FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR

The award will go to the group who has done the most for charity this year. Perhaps you know an outstanding charity group, a tireless group of fund raisers, or a charity who deserves the award for raising funds and delivering charity work over a long period?.

ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR

Tell the judges about someone who strives to achieve their best at work, in their studies, in sport or in their community. We especially welcome nominations for people who do their very best despite having to overcome difficulties.

 

EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

You can directly nominate someone for this award, but the judges will also look at nominees in other categories who may fit the bill in their opinion. This award must go to someone who has made an outstanding difference to their life, community, family, school or organisation. If they did it against all the odds, they could be our winner!

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award is especially for anyone who has worked tirelessly and constantly for the benefit of others for 20 years or more. It could be a volunteer, fundraiser, community leader, charity supporter or business person. What matters is they have devoted a significant number of years to the activity and you feel they deserve special recognition for their efforts.

 

THE MARK WEST DIVERSITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION AWARD

Judges will be looking for the person, group or business that has done the most to work in harmony with others to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion with the aim to positively discourage discrimination. Of particular interest are initiatives around networking and mutual support between local projects and business where the benefits are for the whole town, crossing community lines and involving people from all backgrounds and sectors.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Our winner will be someone who selflessly devotes themselves to a cause. It doesn't have to be normal volunteering, although it could be. Perhaps our volunteer champion runs a kids football team, organises neighbourhood watch, is a hospital visit or on the board of school governance? Please enter them in this category if they provide an invaluable, unpaid service to the community.

 

HELPING HAND AWARD

Is your neighbour one in a million? is the person living down the street from you a true gem? We're looking for those ordinary people we know are on every street who you simply wouldn't manage without. We want to hear about them!

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Do you know a teacher or parent who has really stepped up to help educate young people? This can be through formal or informal learning, school based or home schooling. The judges will be looking for someone who has supported young people to overcome educational challenges. Judges would be particularly pleased to hear directly from young people.

 

STEP UP AND STAND OUT

The first of our new categories for 20/21, this award will recognise an individual whose actions, empathy, unstinting support or supreme effort during lockdown and beyond has been of significant help to someone or a number of people in their community. We know that there have been many people out there helping others who has stepped out and stood out as your community hero?

RESPONSE TEAM CHAMPIONS

This award recognises the same kind of effort, love and kindness of the previous award however here judges want to hear about a group in your community who have pulled together to provide help and support for the vulnerable in their community. We want to hear about your community Covid champions

THE MASKED ANGEL

It's not just doctors or nurses who have had an even more stressful job this year. Throughout our community are vast numbers of carers and foster parents who have helped to protect and look after, often very vulnerable people. Lockdown and shielding had a huge impact on many lives and made providing a high standard of care even more of a challenge. Who do you know who has helped mark the lives of others a little easier, who has provided care above and beyond?

THE MASKED HERO

Doctors and nurses; professionals dedicated to helping those in need - and never more so than during the coronavirus pandemic. They have been there at the coalface, showing immense bravery and unparalleled commitment to their work. We want to recognise those special people whose care, attention and commitment have gone beyond the call of duty, who have shouldered the heavy responsibility with spirit, good humour and devotion. Who do you know who is truly a masked healthy care hero?