02 Sep Not one, but two awards coming up to celebrate the Bay’s kindest

And just like that, it’s now Autumn. A particularly warm, sunny Summer has been and gone, and now the final stretch of the year is within sight. With that in mind, here’s something for you to mull over – do you know anyone in Torbay, who has gone above and beyond to help other people out?

There are nomination deadlines for not one, but two awards coming up very soon, recognising efforts of anyone who gives their time to support fellow…Bayians? Bayites?…Bayples? Whatever you wish to call anyone who lives in the Bay or is a regular presence, and for that matter, whatever the role, be it a volunteer, a kind neighbour, an unpaid carer, a team or group, there’s plenty of categories in either of these two awards you can nominate them for.

Tanny Stobart was voted our 2025 overall Community Champion by the audience, and presented the award by the 2024 overall Community Champion, Norrms McNamara

The Torbay Community Champion Awards is back for its third run of celebrating the unsung heroes of Brixham, Paignton & Torquay who give their all to helping out the likes of friends, family, neighbours, events, community groups and services, often asking for little or nothing in return. A quintessential backbone of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector (or VCSE for short), helping to keep many aspects of our community moving, perhaps in ways you may not have even considered before.

Hundreds of nominations have previously been submitted for nine categories of awards:

• Health & Wellbeing Champion – anyone committed to improving the health and wellbeing of others, including those with additional needs/disabilities, illnesses or conditions, through advocacy, activities or supporting patients
• Climate & Environment Champion – those dedicated to their local environment, sustainability and its protection
• Good Neighbour Award – residents striving to support those in their neighbourhood
• Carer of the Year – a person who aims to improve the life of an individual or group with their helpfulness, compassion and support
• Emergency Worker of the Year – workers who provide emergency services, safety awareness/training or any activities to ensure the safety and protection of others in emergencies
• Lifetime Award – a person who has dedicated a lifetime of care and support to their community in the Bay
• Volunteering Team of the Year – a group of three or more people who make a real difference in their community or organisation
• Volunteer of the Year – An individual who has committed, with passion and care, to supporting their cause/the community
• Young Volunteer of the Year – children, teenagers and young people who are supporting their communities, who may have overcome serious challenges to help themselves or others, with their dedication to local causes

With a ceremony taking place on 2^nd October at Paignton’s Bay Church, plus an overall Community Champion for 2026 to be voted for by the audience on the day, you’ll want to get any nominations in for the Community Champion Awards by Midnight, Sunday 6^th September, to the awards page, found here on this website.

The winners of the 2025 Children & Young People Awards, presented during Children’s Week.

Returning for the third time as well, to celebrate the community contributions of the Bay’s younger volunteers, the Children & Young People Awards have not only ten categories up for your nominations, but the opportunity to add your own award category. Any under 25s who live or work in bay can be nominated for:

• Environmentalist(s) of the Year Award – for anyone with a strong passion and enthusiasm for the environment
• Entrepreneur(s) of the Year Award – up for those who find opportunities to start and help further businesses or enterprises in Torbay
• Volunteer(s) of the Year Award – dedicated to those who take the time to get involved and stuck in, volunteering around the bay
• The Trail-Blazer(s) Award – young people paving the way for other young people
• The Leadership Award – uses their experience and skills to help empower other young people
• The Hidden Gem(s) Award – anyone with a hidden talent or skill that betters the community
• The Odyssey Award – for a young person who hasn’t let life’s challenges hold them back from doing incredible things
• The Community Star(s) Award – recognising anyone actively involved within their community
• The Radiator Award – anyone who radiates positivity, kindness and gives strength to their friends
• The Spotlight Award – for a young person doing amazing work within an organisation

With the opportunity to attend a celebration event on Saturday 26^th September, the deadline for the Children & Young People Awards is 5pm, Wednesday 16^th September. Nominations can be submitted on Imagine This Torbay’s website.