Use this page to learn about the Community Awards, award categories, and how to nominate a person or organisation for an award.
The Community Awards celebrate the individuals and organisations across Bath and North East Somerset who make a real difference to the lives of others.
From dedicated volunteers to inspiring leaders and local charities, the awards recognise outstanding contributions across the district.
The awards highlight those who go above and beyond to support their community.
Categories
Select any category below to find out about that award, and how the winner is chosen.
The Beryl Dixon Community Leader Award will recognise a paid employee or volunteer of a community organisation or charity who has shown outstanding leadership.
The Award is named in honour of Beryl Dixon MBE, who passed away in 2017, and aims to recognise outstanding leadership in the charitable sector. Beryl was a strong advocate for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Communities. She laid the foundation for BME organisations in Bath and throughout the South West, including the Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizen’s Association (BEMSCA) and the Black Families Education Support Group. Beryl dedicated 29 years to the NHS and was also a passionate campaigner for equality and diversity across the various groups and services she supported, which included Health, The Elderly, Youth and Education, as well as other related organisations linked to BME people.
Examples: This award may recognise an individual who has shown outstanding leadership in bringing people together, championing inclusion, and tackling inequalities within their community. This could include leading initiatives that improve opportunities for underrepresented or disadvantaged groups, coordinating volunteers, supporting community action, inspiring young people, advocating for change, or helping to remove barriers that prevent people from participating fully in community life. Their work should demonstrate a clear and positive impact on individuals, communities, or causes, particularly those experiencing disadvantage or exclusion.
Qualities: The community leader should demonstrate vision, integrity, dedication, and a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. They should be compassionate, approachable, and skilled at building relationships and bringing people together around a shared purpose. They should inspire and empower others, show determination in addressing challenges and inequalities, and be recognised as a trusted and influential advocate for positive change within their community.
Winners of this category will be selected by the Judging Panel.
This award will recognise a volunteer who has shown the most outstanding contribution to the community and goes above and beyond.
The Award is named after Jenny Willson, a former employee of Bath & North East Somerset who passed away in 2023. Jenny was known for her leadership in promoting health and wellbeing within the community.
Examples: This award may recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution through volunteering, giving their time, skills and energy to support a charity, community group, organisation, or local facility. This could include serving as a trustee or board member, running a club or activity, supporting community events, helping manage a local venue, or providing practical or emotional support to others. Their efforts should have made a meaningful and positive difference to the people, groups, or communities they serve.
Qualities: The volunteer should demonstrate dedication, compassion, generosity, and a strong commitment to helping others. They should be reliable, enthusiastic, and willing to go above and beyond to support their organisation or community. They should inspire others through their positive attitude, selflessness, and leadership, while making a lasting impact through their service and contribution.
Winners of this category will be selected by the Judging Panel.
This award is for a young person up to 25 years old who has made exceptional contributions to the community.
This Award is dedicated to the memory of Sara Banks, who sadly passed away this year after a short and unexpected illness. Sara worked for the Council for over 32 years, supporting a variety of service areas and projects, including the Community Awards. In her personal life, she undertook a variety of volunteering roles, including as a Brown Owl for the Brownies and supporting young people was a particular passion. We are delighted to be able to honour her memory through the naming of this Award.
Examples: This award may recognise a young person who has made an outstanding contribution to their community, school, organisation, or local cause. Through volunteering, fundraising, peer support, community action, or other activities, they have given their time and energy to help others and make a positive difference. They may have helped reduce loneliness, improved wellbeing, inspired others to get involved, or shown leadership and commitment in supporting people and communities.
Qualities: The young person should demonstrate enthusiasm, compassion, dedication, and a genuine desire to help others. They should be a positive role model who inspires those around them through their actions, attitude, and commitment. They should show resilience, kindness, generosity, and a willingness to go above and beyond to make a difference in their community.
Winners of this category will be selected by the Judging Panel.
These Awards recognise the contribution made by Parish Councils – whether this is by their Councillor, paid staff or a team. This year, we are making awards in two categories: Parish Councillor, and Parish Clerk or Employee. This is to highlight the valuable contribution that Parishes make in their local communities.
The Awards have been named in honour of Peter Duppa-Miller, who sadly passed away in 2015. Peter dedicated much of his life to serving his community and was an advocate for the rural communities and parishes across the area.
Examples: This award may recognise a parish council, paid staff or team that has shown outstanding commitment to improving the local community. This could include leading community projects, organising local events, supporting residents, enhancing local facilities, encouraging community participation, or successfully bringing partners together to address local priorities. The councillor or clerk may have demonstrated innovation, responsiveness, and a significant positive impact on the parish and its residents.
Qualities: The parish councillor, paid staff, or team should demonstrate dedication, leadership, integrity, and a strong commitment to serving their community. They should be proactive, collaborative, approachable, and effective in engaging with local people and partners. They should inspire community involvement, show creativity in addressing local challenges, and be respected for their professionalism, enthusiasm, and positive contribution to community life.
Winners of this category will be selected by the Judging Panel.
This award recognises an organisation with charitable aims that has made a significant impact in the community through its services, outreach, and dedication to its cause.
Examples: This award may recognise a charity that provides vital support and services to people of all ages, helping to address local needs and improve lives. The charity may have demonstrated innovation in tackling social challenges, developed new ways of supporting communities, or delivered projects that have achieved significant and measurable impact. It may also have shown excellence in engaging volunteers, working in partnership, and responding effectively to the needs of the people and communities it serves.
Qualities: The charity should demonstrate a clear and positive impact, placing the people it supports at the heart of its work. It should show innovation, strong leadership and governance, effective partnership working, and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. The organisation should be trusted, compassionate and responsive to community needs, while demonstrating sustainability and the ability to create lasting positive change.
A shortlist of three finalists will be selected by the Judging Panel, and these will be put to a public vote to decide an overall winner.
The Support Animal of the Year Award recognises an exceptional animal that has made a meaningful and positive difference to the lives of people across Bath and North East Somerset.
This award celebrates animals that provide support, companionship, therapy, assistance, education, or wellbeing benefits through organisations, community groups, services, or volunteering activities. Whether helping individuals build confidence and independence, supporting emotional and mental wellbeing, enhancing learning opportunities, promoting inclusion, or strengthening community connections, these remarkable animals have a lasting impact on those they work with.
The award acknowledges the unique contribution that support animals make in improving quality of life, creating opportunities, and helping people overcome challenges.
Examples: This may include therapy animals working in schools, healthcare settings, charities, or community organisations to improve confidence, learning, inclusion, independence, and emotional wellbeing. The award recognises animals whose work helps individuals overcome challenges, reduce isolation, and engage more fully in their communities. It acknowledges the valuable contribution support animals make to enhancing lives and strengthening communities across Bath and North East Somerset.
Qualities: The animal should demonstrate qualities such as patience, gentleness, reliability, adaptability, and a strong ability to support and connect with people. It should have made a positive and meaningful contribution to improving wellbeing, confidence, independence, inclusion, or quality of life for individuals or communities across Bath and North East Somerset.
A shortlist of three finalists will be selected by the Judging Panel, and these will be put to public vote to decide an overall winner.
The Chair’s Special Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual or group whose longstanding commitment, service and achievements have enriched the lives of others and left a lasting legacy within the community.
Examples: This award may recognise an individual or group who has dedicated many years to improving the lives of local people through volunteering, community leadership, fundraising, mentoring, coaching, advocacy, or other forms of service. They may have established or helped lead a community organisation that has delivered lasting benefits or supported generations of residents through activities such as youth work, education, sport, culture, health, wellbeing, or community development. Their contribution should demonstrate sustained commitment and have created a positive and enduring legacy within the community.
Qualities: exceptional commitment, integrity, compassion, resilience, leadership and a willingness to go above and beyond to help others. Their actions should have inspired others, strengthen community connections and create a positive and lasting impact. Above all, they should be recognised as a trusted and respected champion whose contribution has made a significant difference to others and their community.
The winner of this category will be selected by the Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Read the Guidance notes and Terms and Conditions for the Community Awards 2026 to 2027.
How to nominate
You can submit nominations from 24 September 2026 until midnight, 29 November 2026.
For any enquiries, please contact the Community Engagement Team by emailing connecting_communities@bathnes.gov.uk or calling 01225 39 69 75.
Our partners
We are delighted to welcome the following partners to this year’s awards:
- 3SG (Bath and North East Somerset Third Sector Group)
- ALCA (Avon Local Councils' Association)
- BEMSCA (Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizen Association)
- Everyone Health
- The Student Community Partnership (University of Bath, Bath Spa University & Bath College)
What happens next
- Once all the nominations have been received and checked for their eligibility, the nominations will be considered by a Judging Panel in December 2026.
- The Judging Panel will make their decision, including making a shortlist of nominations for the Charity of the Year and Support Animal of the Year, which will be decided by public vote.
- The public vote will take place from 21 December 2026 until midnight 21 January 2027.
- If your nomination results in the nominee being successful, you and the nominee will be contacted with details about the event.
Award presentations
Only the winners and highly commended in each category are invited to an Awards celebration event.
The Peter Duppa-Miller Parish Councillor and Parish Clerk or Employee Awards will be acknowledged at The Parish Liaison Meeting. These events will take place during February and March 2026.
Everyone nominated for an Award will receive a certificate acknowledging their contribution. All winners will receive an Award and Certificate.