Suffolk Community Awards: celebrate Suffolk's unsung heroes

The awards, delivered by Community Action Suffolk, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Association of Local Councils, will recognise and celebrate all those who have improved the quality of life for a community in Suffolk.

This year's awards, which launched today (May 13) are bigger than ever with 17 awards now up for grabs.

The awards are up and running for 2024 (from left to right) Cllr Neal Beecroft-Smith (Kesgrave Town Councillor (East Ward) and Chairman),Cllr Stuart Lawson (General Manager, Kesgrave Community and Conference Centre and District Councillor for East Suffolk & Suffolk County Councillor), Cllr Rod Gibson (Kesgrave Town Councillor (East Ward), Vice Chair, P&D Chair), Sally Longmate (Chief Executive, Suffolk Association of Local Councils), Cllr Phillip Faircloth- Mutton (Cabinet member for Equality and Communities), Hannah Reid (Chief Executive, Community Action Suffolk) and Laura Beale (Digital Campaigns Manager, Public Health, Suffolk County Council) (Image: Warren Page)
Categories include young person of the year, contribution to volunteering, most active communities and council and councillor of the year.

The prestigious award ceremony for all selected winners will be held at the Museum of Food in Stowmarket on Tuesday 24 September and will be hosted by EADT columnist Mark Murphy MBE.

Hannah Reid (Image: COMMUNITY ACTION SUFFOLK)

Hannah Reid, Chief Executive of Community Action Suffolk, said: “Community Action Suffolk is delighted to be recognising the dedication and commitment of volunteers, community leaders and organisations across Suffolk’s voluntary sector and potentially inspiring others to get involved.”

Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, cabinet member for Equality and Communities added: "It's important to celebrate the incredible impact of Suffolk's voluntary sector. Their hard work makes Suffolk a better place to live and work, and it's an honour to recognise and celebrate their outstanding contributions."

Last year’s event featured the first ever Faith award recognising the value that faith groups play within their local communities. The trophy was picked up by Red Lodge Lightwave, a Christian community organisation which runs a café, after school clubs and debt advice. 

Sally Longmate (Image: SALC)
Sally Longmate, Chief Executive Officer at SALC said: “Across Suffolk there are unsung heroes who selflessly devote time, resource and funds to enhance the quality of life across our communities and it is often down to the commitment of individuals, groups and organisations who rise to the occasion and lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow. The Suffolk Community Awards offer a moment to pause, acknowledge and most importantly express gratitude to all those who play a part.”

Nominations must be made by no later than Sunday 14 July at https://www.suffolkcommunityawards.co.uk/.

The full list of categories for 2024 is:

* The Colonel Probert Award for a Voluntary Group or Community

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

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

* The Anne Dunford OBE Award for Youth Participation

* Suffolk Good Neighbour Award

* The Roddy Macleod Award for Youth Club of the Year

* The Andrew Towers Award for Young Person of the Year

* The Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering award

* Event Organiser of the Year

* The Faith Award

* Most Active Town and Village of the Year Awards

* Council of the Year

* Councillor of the Year

* Young Councillor of the Year

* Clerk of the Year