It's time nominate your volunteer Laois stars for the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards

Laois County Council is accepting nominations for the Laois Community & Voluntary Awards 2023 in conjunction with Laois  Public Participation Network (PPN) and other award partners.

The event is also supported by People First Credit Union as the Corporate Sponsor while the Leinster Express / Laois Live is honoured to be selected as media partner. 

The categories for 2023 are:

- Arts, Culture &Heritage award

- Sports Award

- Best Kept Residential Area award

- Social Inclusion Award

- Health and Well Being Award

- Climate change Award (new category)

- Unsung Hero Award

- Junior Volunteer of the Year

More INFO ON AWARD CATEGORIES:

Arts, Culture & Heritage award
Recognises Groups/Organisations who enhance their local areas, by conserving, protecting and promoting the Arts, Culture and Heritage of their local community through collective creative activities. Examples include: Drama, Music, Literature, Arts, Festivals, Conservation, and Heritage.

Sports Award:
Focuses on groups or schools, who have focused on physical health, increasing the number of people participating in the sport, particularly those with a low participation rate.

Best Kept Residential Area award
Recognises the hard work and dedication shown in residential areas throughout Laois, recognises the great pride people have in their own communities, recognise the value of our biodiversity and continued to put in a huge effort, on behalf of the places where they live.

Social Inclusion Award
Recognises groups and organisations that actively work in a supportive role in their communities and whose aim is to minimise social exclusion and/or help to improve the quality of life for socially excluded groups. Examples include; Working with the elderly, People with Disabilities, Ethnic Minority, Travelling Community, Young people in transition, LGBTI+ and the Homeless.

Health and Wellbeing Award
Recognises community health and wellbeing groups i.e. mental health, sexual health, awareness raising & promotion around medical conditions, disorders and disabilities, increased meaningful daily activities, developing confidence and providing a sense of purpose & positive self-worth for citizens in the community.
This award acknowledges community groups, organisations and clubs that promote physical and mental health and wellbeing, focusing on prevention and keeping people healthier for longer including opportunities for social connections.
Examples: drama groups, youth activities, mental health support groups, healthy eating programmes, sexual health, social network groups, scouts and people with differing abilities

New category Climate Change Award:
Recognises communities carrying out awareness initiatives and/or actions that make a positive contribution against climate change. Climate actions can encourage your community to improve the impact of their everyday choices, support local communities and foster a sustainable approach to protecting the environment.

Junior Volunteer of the Year:
Recognises the outstanding contribution that an individual under the age of 18, has made to their local community. Every community has individuals who are boundless in their energy and determination to get things done – so nominate your Junior Volunteer of the Year who encourage, support, lead and inspire others in your community.

Unsung Hero Award
You can also make an individual nomination for an Unsung Hero Award, for an outstanding contribution by one person, to community and voluntary life in their local area and/or the wider community in Co Laois.

Four ways to  nominate:

1. To submit a nomination, simply complete the online forms at  www.laois.ie/departments/community/community-voluntary awards-2023/

2. Log onto the Consultation Portal  https://consult.laois.ie

3. Download nomination form  from  www.laois.ie/departments/community/community-voluntary-awards-2023/ and email  completed form to: awards@laoiscoco.ie or post hardcopy to Community Section, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise

4 Hardcopy nomination forms  are available from the Community Section, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise- tel no. 057-8664078.

For further information on the Terms & Conditions, please call 057-8664078 or email awards@laoiscoco.ie 

The closing date for receipt of Nominations is Friday, July 14, 2023 at 4 pm.