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Community Awards

Community Interest Luton

Luton & Bedfordshire Community Awards

The Luton & Bedfordshire Community Awards is an annual ceremony, celebrating the unsung heroes of our diverse and multicultural community and applauding those that that seek to make the lives of others, easier, happier and more fulfilled.

Celebrating Community Heroes

Now in its 16th year, the event continues to garner substantial support from the local populace.

This year’s ceremony will take place on Friday, 7th November 2025. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, 24th August 2025, at midnight. This is an opportunity to recognize and honour those who make a difference.

Supporting Charities and Community Engagement

The event also provides an excellent platform for organizations to give back to the community while gaining valuable exposure through cost-effective marketing packages. For more information on how your organization can participate in the 16th Annual Awards, please contact [email protected].

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Community Interest Luton

Sponsor an Award

For businesses and organisations within Luton & Bedfordshire, supporting the Community Awards is a great way of supporting the local community and has instant tangible benefits noticeable for those involved.

Supporting Local Communities

For businesses and organizations within Luton & Bedfordshire, supporting the Community Awards offers a fantastic way to give back to the local community. Participation in the Awards provides instant, tangible benefits and is a noticeable gesture of community involvement. In a challenging economic climate, past sponsors have gained significant exposure and increased customer awareness through the Awards’ extensive marketing and promotional channels

Sponsorship Opportunities

We invite organizations to sponsor one of our exceptional award categories and join a prestigious group of local, reputable firms involved in the Community Awards. We offer a range of sponsorship and package deals, providing an excellent opportunity to support the community while enjoying substantial exposure. To learn more about how your organization can participate in the 15th Annual Awards, please contact [email protected] to receive a sponsorship brochure.

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Award Categories

CHANELLE PICKFORD AWARD

Judges will seek to recognise any young person under 18 who has overcome a personal difficulty or made a stand to improve their life or the lives of others. For example young people coping with bereavement, bullying, disability or medical problems, or someone who has organised support for others who face such problems.

COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR

The judges are looking for a project that has triumphed in the community. Supporting local people whether on a one-to-one basis or as a group – maybe a community centre with projects that have had long-lasting impact on the community. All the better if they have managed on a shoe-string or achieved results despite facing challenges

THE CHARITY CHAMPION

The award will go to the group or indiicusla who has done the most for charity this year. Perhaps you know an outstanding charity volunteer, a tireless fundraiser, or someone who deserves the award for charity work over a long period? They are almost certainly an expectional person who devotes significant time and enegery to support the causes close to their heart. Whether they are someone who has many years of fundraising under their belt or they have just started and are already making waves we want to hear about it.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award will be given to the person who has made an outstanding difference to their life, community, family, school or organisation. It could be through years of dedicated service or perhaps they have made of themseves an overnight success. If they did it against all the odds, they could be our winner!

THE MARK WEST DIVERSITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION AWARD

Judges will be looking for the person, group or business that has done the most to work in harmony with others to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion with the aim to positively discourage discrimination. Of particular interest are initiatives around networking and mutual support between local projects and business where the benefits are for the whole town, crossing community lines and involving people from all backgrounds and sectors.

HELPING HAND AWARD

Is your neighbour one in a million? is the person living down the street from you a true gem? We're looking for those ordinary people we know are on every street who you simply wouldn't manage without. We want to hear about them!

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

This person will be a true inspiration. They are likely to be highly succesful in their chosen field and will have made a valuable contribution to the success, expansion or improvement of the business in which they work. Nominations will be accepted from both individuals who are an employee, an employer or self-employed - it is their business acumen and the respect they have garnered from those working with or for them, that will earn them a nomination.

THE CARING HERO

Throughout our community are vast numbers of carers – both paid and unpaid – and foster parents who have helped to protect and look after, often very vulnerable, people. The huge rise in living costs is impacting even more lives and will continue to do so.. Who do you know who has helped make the lives of others a little easier, who has provided care above and beyond? Who has given up their time to help a relative in need?

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

Do you know someone, or a group or company, who provides outstanding service way above what might be expected? Then this award is for them. Tell us how they operate, and what it is about their service that is so outstanding and makes them way above average for customer care.

COMMUNITY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The judges will want to hear about commercial organisations which provide added value to the communities they serve. Do they support a local charity in some way, sponsor a football team, never fail to show up at community events? Don’t forget companies that have high standards when it comes to reducing their environmental impact, or who promote the green agenda to customers and the community.

ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR

Tell the judges about someone who strives to achieve their best at work, in their studies, in sport or in their community. We especially welcome nominations for people who do their very best despite having to overcome difficulties.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award is especially for anyone who has worked tirelessly and constantly for the benefit of others for 20 years or more. It could be a volunteer, fundraiser, community leader, charity supporter or business person. What matters is they have devoted a significant number of years to the activity and you feel they deserve special recognition for their efforts.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Our winner will be someone who selflessly devotes themselves to a cause. It doesn't have to be normal volunteering, although it could be. Perhaps our volunteer champion runs a kids football team, organises neighbourhood watch, is a hospital visit or on the board of school governance? Please enter them in this category if they provide an invaluable, unpaid service to the community.

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Do you know a teacher or parent who has really stepped up to help educate young people? This can be through formal or informal learning, school based or home schooling. The judges will be looking for someone who has supported young people to overcome educational challenges. Judges would be particularly pleased to hear directly from young people.

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

This award recognises a group whose actions, empathy, unstinting support or supreme effort has been of significant help to someone or a number of people in their community. We know that there have been many people out there helping others... who has stepped out and stood out as your community heroes?

ARTS & HERITAGE AWARD

This award celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of Luton and Bedfordshire by honouring individuals, groups, and organisations who make outstanding contributions to the arts and the preservation of local heritage. From painters and performers to historians and heritage champions, this category shines a light on those who inspire, educate, and connect our communities through creativity and storytelling. Their passion and dedication help ensure that our shared history and creative future remain vibrant and accessible for all.

MAYORS AWARD

This one's for ordinary people making an extra ordinary difference to the lives of others. it could be someone who helps the vulnerable or disadvantaged, a charity volunteer or a tireless fundraiser. 
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We work in partnership with local organisations & businesses, to meet objectives of reducing unemployment, raising skills levels, increasing volunteering, and promoting educational opportunities.

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Have a question? Feel free to get in touch with us and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Community Interest Luton
30 King St, Luton LU1 2DP

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