Nominations for Honours Awards open for Volunteers

VOLUNTEERS are to be recognised for their hard work and commitment in supporting others during the coronavirus pandemic.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is encouraging people to nominate those who have made exceptional contributions in helping vulnerable residents for a Covid-19 Honours award.

Councillor Brown said: “We know how our city has come together so impressively through the adversity of the coronavirus, with hundreds of people, organisations, community groups, charities and businesses offering their support to help those in most need at this time.

“Our #StokeonTrentTogether campaign with voluntary sector partner VAST has seen more than 730 people pledge their support to an initiative that has received 7,500 calls and delivered more than 4,000 food parcels in little over two months. Groups like The Hubb Foundation have provided 50,000 meals, 81 of our schools have stayed open during the lockdown, with teaching staff working into the evenings to provide parents and families with online learning and support. A wide range of community groups and organisations have been going above and beyond to help our city at this most testing of times. Special mention must also go to the Hub Volunteers in Fenton, who have been recognised with a Queen’s Award for contributing 3,840 hours of voluntary service to their community last year – a fantastic achievement.

“We have a unique opportunity to recognise the work of people and groups across the city. The government has announced that nominations are open for people who have made an exceptional contribution in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and I’d like to encourage nominations from the city.”

The awards are open to all areas and the National honours system recognises people who have: made achievements in public life, committed themselves to serving and helping Britain and will, usually have made life better for other people or be outstanding at what they do.

Nominations for the awards will be considered by an independent honours committee. To make a nomination, visit www.gov.uk/honours and go to the coronavirus-related work section where there is a nomination form to fill in and an email address to send it to.

There is no deadline for nominations. Nominations should include the nominee’s name and role and a summary of the impact the person has made as well as additional documents such as letters of support.

Their contribution could include: Frontline work supporting the most vulnerable members of society and those who have caught Covid-19, Providing critical care to Covid-19 patients, Developing innovations to support the vulnerable and those with Covid-19, Going to extraordinary lengths to keep critical services going, Volunteering in the community or for service organisations in support of those affected by Covid-19.

If people need any guidance or advice on completing the form, please contact member, governance and civic support on 01782 232751 or 01782 236663, Lo********@*******ov.uk