Have someone recognised for their local community work
This is your opportunity to have someone recognised for their local community work but please hurry as Nominations are only open until 31 March 2026.
South Kesteven District Council’s popular SK Community Awards are back and here is your chance to turn the spotlight on some very special people.
The awards recognise and reward people in different communities for their good work, often unsung and with no expectation of praise.
To find out more about the various awards and categories, please see below and to nominate someone, click here
Last year’s award’s attracted nominations for people from 8 to 80 and our winners represented the best of the best: a young person who raised thousands of pounds for local charities; a remarkable woman who went out for coffee with friends and ended up saving a life by performing CPR on a person who collapsed in the street; a group of mums who support other mums to navigate the challenges of parenthood and a dedicated Community Connector who works tirelessly to support people in later life and people living with dementia.
Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Stokes, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture said: “Every year the SK Community Awards help to raise the profile of the amazing volunteers and community groups of South Kesteven. This is our opportunity to highlight people who give their time and energy to support others. These aren’t people who look for recognition for what they do, although they deserve it. They’re just ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Now we want to celebrate and thank them”.
Judging will take place in April 2026 with winners announced at a celebratory event during Volunteers Week (1 -7 June 2026). Categories are:
Young Person’s Contribution to Community Award
We’re looking for a young volunteer who may have pioneered an awareness-raising campaign or who supports an activity or project making a difference in their local community. Countless young people support projects and people within their communities and get no recognition for their efforts. Nominations are confined to people aged up to 25 years.
The Neil Smith – Community Emergency Response Award
This is one of our special awards and is given in remembrance of our late colleague Neil Smith who saved his infant son’s life by administering CPR. Every day in our communities someone steps up in an emergency. Ordinary people, just getting on with their own lives, who witness an accident or incident and run towards it to help. These people don’t think they’re heroes – but we do. Nominate someone you know who stepped up.
Pride in Your Community Space Award
Our towns and villages are a huge asset to the district but who keeps them looking so lovely, putting in time and effort? This is your opportunity to nominate a place – that could be a village green or a whole village. It could be a community garden or a park/open space or an area within a town that has been improved by the efforts of the community. Send supporting photos to: communityengagement@southkesteven.gov.uk
The Judy Smith - Lifetime Community Champion Award
This award is named in honour of a popular former councillor who worked tirelessly for the people of Bourne. Judy Smith gave more than 50 years to supporting her community and we want to celebrate others like her who have given a lifetime of energy, enthusiasm and ceaseless commitment to a place, group, charity or activity over many years.
Cadet Force Adult Volunteer Award
The Cadet Force Adult Volunteer Award is open to nominations for the adult volunteers who help instruct and advise Cadets from any of the five Cadet Forces (Sea, Royal Naval and Royal Marines, Army, Air and Combined) at their weekly training sessions. Do you know someone who gives their free time to volunteer to support the programme of activities available to young people through a Cadet group?
Volunteer of the Year Award
This award recognises individuals who have made a significant and positive difference through their volunteering efforts. Nominations are invited for that individual volunteer who, in the past 12 months has made a notable difference in their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others or who has improved their area making their community a better place for those in their community.
Community Group of the Year Award
This Award celebrates local community groups and local charities that have made a significant impact within their communities. We want to acknowledge groups that have shown exceptional dedication, creativity, and commitment to improving their community through social support, representation, environmental initiatives, or community engagement. This award is open to nominations for groups no matter their size – whether they are a local neighbourhood group or a larger charity working in support of the people of South Kesteven.