An impressive list of finalists have been chosen for an awards ceremony recognising innovators, project leaders, companies and community champions.

Winners of the 2015 Suffolk Coastal Business and Community Awards will be announced at Kesgrave Hall on March 12.

The public are invited choose the winners of the Enabling Communities Award, celebrating groups working to improve the lives of people in their communities.

The finalists are organisations that applied for funding from Suffolk Coastal District Council’s (SCDC) revenue, capital and enabling budgets.

SCDC’s Enabling Communities strategy encourages local people to do more for themselves, giving them greater influence over their environment and services provided.

The finalists are the East Anglian Sailing Trust (EAST), Easton Bowls Club, the Waldringfield Flood Defence Group, Fresh Aspirations Forum and Framlingham Tennis Club.

TJ Haworth-Culf, SCDC’s head of customers, communities and leisure, said: “I’m so pleased that this year’s Suffolk Coastal Business Awards are including this new category.

“The Enabling Communities Award acknowledges the hard work and commitment of the groups and clubs that support us in our communities and it will be a great achievement any one of these finalists to receive this special award.

“This award is about giving back to the groups which support us so much so I hope the public will show their support and take the time to vote for them.

“We have had a fantastic response to this year’s competition, both in terms of an increased number and improved quality of the nominations we have seen. It is great to see the way this is growing and developing each year.”

Nicola Cannon, owner of Melton Day Nursery, a finalist for the Customer Focus Award, said: “It is a rarity for a full day care nursery to receive an outstanding rating from Ofsted. Indeed there are only two nurseries in the county.

“This is because every single member of our team really cares – not only about the amazing children we look after but about their families and the community we support. We’re all committed to providing the best care and support possible.”

National care provider and live-in care specialist, Christies Care, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the People Development Award.

Director Lin Barnes said: “I am extremely proud of the standard of care we provide and this is wholly down to the meticulous, engaging and practical training provided by our training team.

“It’s fantastic to be named as one of the finalists for this award and we will all be keeping everything crossed that we’ve demonstrated to the judges our expertise in training and our commitment to people development and support for our staff and the community as a whole.”

Kitchen and interiors firm Anglia Factors is up for the Independent Business of the Year award. The firm holds regularl fundraising events for local charities and owner Daniel Barr often takes on physical challenges, like cycling to Paris, to raise additional funds. He said: “We’re a family business that supports the local community and local businesses.

“We have an apprentice scheme and believe in providing training and jobs for local people.

“We have skilled carpenters and joiners working in our onsite workshop who have tonnes of experience and expertise to pass on.”

Team of the Year, sponsored by Suffolk Sport: Felixstowe Hockey Club’s Team FHC for making hockey accessible to the whole town, Home-Start Suffolk Coastal for the impressive teamwork demonstrated by their 90 volunteers and six members of staff, Kesgrave Parkrun for recruiting so many volunteers to support amateur runners.

Services to the Community Award, sponsored by Park Properties: Level Two Youth Project for providing youth facilities in the Felixstowe area, Choose Woodbridge for the promotion of Woodbridge businesses and events, Maggie Lusher for her work at Kesgrave Library, James Lightfoot for his work on behalf of the people of Woodbridge, Framlingham and Brandeston.

Great and Green Award, sponsored by The Hangar Kesgrave Hall: East Coast Carbon Efficiency Project for helping small to medium sized enterprises reduce their environmental impact, Midas Productions for reducing the carbon footprint of festivals, events and television production, and Bawdsey Village Market putting food producers together with consumers.

Customer Focus Award, sponsored by Bruisyard Hall: Best of Suffolk for constantly improving customer experience, Melton Day Nursery for focusing on the individual needs of their clients, Suffolk Secrets for managing the relationships between so many homeowners and holidaymakers.

Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Places for People: Sizewell and Leiston Karate Club for helping people stay fit and safe, Kesgrave Parkrun for facilitating a weekly run for over 100 runners, SwimSure Swim School for teaching swimming in schools and members of the community.

Independent Business of the Year, sponsored by Suffolk Coastal District Council: R&S Hardware and Garden for giving a boost to Wickham Market by starting a new business in the centre of the village, Anglia Factors for over 40 years at the heart of the community, Deben Travel for its charity work and work experience programme.

Community Safety Award: Felixstowe Nightsafe for making the licensed premises of the town safe and enjoyable, Stirling Askew for coordinating Operation Camouflage at Rock Barracks, Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol Rescue Service for ensuring the maritime safety of Felixstowe’s residents, visitors and boat users.

Innovation Award, sponsored by the Local Strategic Partnership: Derek and Ray of Wickham Market Library for providing free IT services, Midas Production for providing innovative power and production solutions, Bawdsey Village Market for providing convenient, local shopping.

Charity Champion Award, sponsored by EB Carpets Felixstowe: Mandy Hearle for her tireless work in support of Medecins Sans Frontieres, Woodbridge Shufflers Road Running Club for fundraising through the Woodbridge 10K, The Rotary Club of Woodbridge for their support for a variety of good causes.

People Development Award, sponsored by EDF Energy: Sizewell & Leiston Karate Club for helping people to reach their full potential, Christies Care for providing leading training to its staff and the community, Derek and Ray at Wickham Market Library for enabling people to become computer literate.

Encouraging Tourism Award, sponsored by Suffolk Coastal District Council: Woodbridge Tide Mill for being an iconic, high quality tourist attraction, Best of Suffolk for raising standards of accommodation, Framlingham Business Association for increasing visits to the town.

Vote now for the winner of the Enabling Communities Award: Easton Bowls Club, Framlingham Tennis Club, East Anglian Sailing Trust, Waldringfield Flood Defence Group and Fresh Aspirations Forum.

Vote for your favourite before February 27 at scbca.co.uk/enabling-communities-award.