Residents, community groups, and voluntary organisations in the Reigate and Banstead borough area are being asked to nominate their dedicated volunteers to receive a Mayor’s Volunteer Award, in recognition of the invaluable work they do. Nominations could come from organisations as wide ranging as charities to youth groups, schools to sports clubs, or health services to arts groups.
The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Councillor Roger Newstead, said:
“These awards are a really important and an inspiring event in the Council’s calendar. Without the thousands of enthusiastic people volunteering their time freely, so many of the services and initiatives that are essential to our communities would not run.”
“We all know someone who volunteers. I would like to urge everyone to nominate a volunteer they know, who they feel should be honoured for their service and receive the recognition they deserve.”
Award categories
Volunteers can be nominated in five award categories:
* Young Volunteer Award – for volunteers under 25 years of age who have completed a minimum of two year’s voluntary service.
* Individual Volunteer Award – for those volunteers who have completed a considerable length of voluntary service and have made an exemplary voluntary contribution.
* Team Award – for a team of volunteers who have excelled in their provision of help to a community association or charity.
* Individual Trustee Award or Trustee Team Award – this category would include the Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary or Board of Trustees who have shown due diligence, good governance and commitment in the running of a voluntary organisation.
An award for Outstanding Voluntary Contribution will be chosen by the Mayor’s Awards Panel (if appropriate) from the entries received for the other award categories and awarded to the volunteer who the Panel feel has made a significant impact on the community through their work.
Deadline
Volunteers must live or work in the borough and not receive any remuneration for their time. Nominations must be received by Friday 27 July 2012.
Recognition of valuable work
The annual award scheme, now in its ninth year, was set up to recognise the unsung heroes who do a great amount of valuable work for the borough and its community and to show appreciation for their selfless service.
The scheme is organised by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council in partnership with Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service.
Rewarding those who give up their time
Des Shepherd, Manager of Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service, said:
“Awards such as these are a wonderful way of rewarding people who give up their time for others without seeking financial gain.
“Hopefully, it will inspire others thinking of volunteering to take the leap, and gain valuable life skills, whilst helping others.”
Nominate someone
To find out more, or nominate online, visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/mayorsawards
You can also request a nomination form by emailing award@rbcvs.org.uk or by calling Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service on 01737 763156.
Nominated volunteers should not be informed of their nomination unless deemed absolutely necessary.
Awards ceremony
Successful nominees (and the nominating person or organisation) will be invited to a special awards ceremony, hosted by the Mayor, at the Town Hall, Reigate, in October 2012.