10 Dec Less than a month left to nominate Torbay’s community champions

Each week, I get to chat with some truly inspiring people on my Volunteer Show, which goes out each Tuesday between 10 am and 1 pm on Riviera FM.

Over the course of a year, I have spent many happy hours talking to people who more often than not do not fully recognise the importance of what they do, nor how they help change lives.

To a man and a woman, they are modest and begin the show not really knowing why I am so keen to get them on the radio, to talk about their work, but they are all incredible, and I always get a reaction from our listeners. It might not be immediate, but a seed is planted.

No sooner does the programme air than we get a steady trickle of enquiries via VolunteerTorbay.com from people who want to explore volunteering, often for the first time, inspired by what they have heard from my guests.

Quite often, if an organisation, rather than an individual, is featured on the show, they will be contacted in the days that follow by people who want to help in any way they can – some offering skills, some offering financial support.

Over the last year, the show has featured just a soupçon of the great work that goes on across the Bay each and every day – the sort of unpaid work that enhances all our lives.

I have interviewed people supporting sports clubs, and by support, I of course mean those people, often behind the scenes, who keep the clubs running – coaches, treasurers, trustees. Name a role at an amateur sports club and 99 times out of a hundred, a volunteer will deliver it.

I have interviewed carers, befrienders, marshals, friendly societies, suicide prevention support volunteers, and charity workers – paid and unpaid – all delivering essential services and support to people and communities in the Bay.

That is why we at Torbay Communities are proud to be delivering the Community Champion Awards again, which aim to celebrate volunteers and workers across the sector and ensure their efforts are not overlooked.

As with the inaugural awards last year, there are nine categories open to nominations, and we are hoping to exceed last year’s 180-plus nominations to ensure that, once again, the judging panel has its work cut out for it.

Health and wellbeing champion – A worker in the voluntary, community or social enterprise sector committed to improving the health and well-being of people in Torbay, including those who provide support for people with additional needs or disabilities, support an organisation that advocates for those with certain illnesses or conditions, provide activities for people with disabilities or long-term illnesses, or accompanies patients to hospital.

Volunteer of the Year – A volunteer who has shown commitment, passion and care for their volunteering and made a significant impact.

Young volunteer of the year – A young person who has shown a real commitment to volunteering and/or overcoming serious problems and made a positive difference in their own life or other people’s.

Climate and environment champion A worker in the voluntary, community or social enterprise sector who dedicates their time to caring for their local environment, takes part in environmental protection projects.

Volunteering team  – This award is given to a group of three or more volunteers who have made a real difference to their community or an organisation.

Lifetime award –This award is for someone who has worked within their community for many years and recognises their long-standing dedication to improving the quality of life in Torbay.

Good neighbour award – A resident who strives to make sure there is a place for everyone in their local community and is devoted to helping those who live around them.

The Kevin Helmore Carer of the Year  Award – Awarded to someone who improves the life of an individual or group of people through their helpfulness, compassion and support.

Emergency worker of the year – A worker in the voluntary, community or social enterprise sector who strives to keep their communities safe.

Community champion – A worker in the voluntary, community or social enterprise sector who has shown commitment, passion and care for their volunteering or work and made a significant difference to their cause and the community at large. This will be voted for at the Awards Ceremony at Bay Church on Friday, January 23^rd.

You have until midnight on Sunday, January 4^th, to submit your nominations here on our website.