Guernsey Press

Nominations now open for Community Awards

by Juliet Pouteaux jpouteaux@guernseypress.com

Published
Guernsey Mind winning Charity of the Year at last year’s Community Awards. (25496536)

THIS year’s Guernsey Community Foundation community awards is now accepting nominations.

The awards celebrate local charities, organisations, groups, individuals and businesses who work to raise money, provide services and undertake community projects for the benefit of others across the Bailiwick.

Guernsey Community Foundation chief executive Jim Roberts said nominations for charitable work of any size and shape were most welcome and self-nominations were encouraged.

‘Every year we try to go one better and the focus this year is on attracting a record number of nominations,’ he said.

‘A diverse shortlist will emphasise the huge amount of fantastic work being done across the charitable sector – not just by charitable organisations and individuals, but by businesses who take their corporate social responsibility seriously.

‘We’re lucky enough to see first-hand just how many people give time, money and ideas to provide a range of essential local services. The awards is our way of paying tribute to the unsung heroes of the sector and giving exemplary organisations a chance to shine.’

The awards include the Charity of the Year – sponsored by State Street, Fundraising Team of the Year – sponsored by Cazenove Capital Management, Outstanding Individual Achievement – sponsored by PwC Channel Islands and the Innovation Award – sponsored by Specsavers.

There is also the Organising Committee of the Year – sponsored by RG Falla, the Corporate Social Responsibility award – sponsored by RBC Wealth Management and Youth Award, for ages 11 to 25 – sponsored by Guernsey Electricity.

In 2018, Guernsey Mind was crowned as the winner of the Charity of the Year award after the judges were impressed by its consistent delivery of outstanding mental health services and far-reaching campaigns to reduce stigma around mental health.

Guernsey Mind executive director Emily Litten said they were honoured to receive the award.

‘Winning this award highlights how open our community is becoming to the topic of mental health, which is not only a hot topic locally but also nationally thanks to recent high profile campaigns,’ she said.

‘In the year since winning the award we have seen an increased awareness in the services we provide. Our workplace training provision, including mental health first aid, continues to grow and it has been a record year for us in terms of delivery and attendance.

‘Our campaigns, events and fundraising efforts have also been boosted and we have been able to widen our support to the people of Alderney through the opening of a new wellness centre and the provision of community initiatives there.’

Nominations close on Wednesday 11 September. An independent panel of judges will then draw up a shortlist of nominees, who will be invited to November’s awards ceremony at St James.

n Nomination forms and submission guidelines can be found at www.foundation.gg.