Pride of Herefordshire awards scheme launched

The search is on to honour the county's unsung heroes in a new community competition called the Pride in Herefordshire Awards.

With the support of the Herefordshire Partnership - of which Herefordshire Council is a member - and the promotional backing of the Hereford Journal, the awards are set to highlight the often untold achievements of those 'behind the scenes' who so often contribute to the well-being and success of our communities.

Winners of eight award categories will be celebrated at a grand finale at Hereford in September, and nominations will be welcome for shortlists of three people in each.

The categories are:

Herefordshire Entrepreneur Award: Someone who is successful in business, with an innovative approach. They may have diversified into new areas of work or use new technologies. Their business makes a contribution to the local economy and ideally has raised the profile of Herefordshire regionally  or nationally.

Herefordshire Learner Award: Someone who has learnt new skills or knowledge and uses them in their day-to-day life. An achiever who may have overcome obstacles to progress. They may have  gained a recognised qualification that has helped them to gain a new job, or use newly learnt skills to help others in their community.

Herefordshire Courage Award: Someone who in a personal or community capacity has overcome adversity. Someone who has had the courage to face their fears or do something new. They may have made their community a safer place by their actions, done something courageous for someone else or made a selfless act, putting other people first.

Herefordshire Environmental Champion: Someone who has made a difference to the environment in his or her local community. They may have introduced a recycling scheme, cleaned up a messy area or cleared footpaths. They may be a champion for climate change, bio-diversity, preservation of key species or conservation or locally historical buildings.

Herefordshire Young Carer Award: Someone up to 18 years old who looks after or helps others, whether family at home, or in their community. They may care for animals that needed help. They may check on someone, do their shopping for them, clean around the house or garden, or just keep them company. They put themselves out for someone else and give their time voluntarily.

Herefordshire Youth Community Award: An individual or a group up to 18 years old, who do something positive in their community that has an impact on others. They do this in their spare time, on a voluntary basis. They may work with a club, support a special cause or raise money for charity.

Herefordshire Adult Carer Award: Someone who looks after or helps others, whether family at home, or in their community. They may care for animals that needed help. They may check on someone, do their shopping for them, clean around the house or garden, or just keep them company. They put themselves out for someone else or others and give their time voluntarily.

Herefordshire Health Champion: Someone who has improved people’s health and quality of life. They may have organised sport and recreational activities in their community, support a club, organise a walking group, dance class or healthy eating club. They may be a champion for health issues, healthy lifestyles and exercise, in their own time.

Trophies for winners in each of the categories and the overall winner are being designed by BA (Hons) Degree students at Herefordshire College of Art and Design. The successful student will then be commissioned to produce the trophies.

For nomination forms visit the Herefordshire Partnership website.