Nominations open for Community Stars Awards 2023 in Bradford

The special awards, organised by the Telegraph & Argus and Bradford Council, recognise the district’s unsung heroes who go above and beyond to help others.

It could be a volunteer keeping families fed through a foodbank, a kind neighbour who helped improve someone’s life in a small way, or a project changing lives.

This year’s ceremony includes new award categories - making sure the very best of Bradford can be recognised.

T&A readers have until midnight on Saturday, October 7, to nominate people with nine award categories up for grabs.

Some of the award categories will require a short video, instead of written entries.

Once nominations have closed, a panel of judges will sift through all the nominations and whittle the list down to three finalists.

It will then be over to the public to vote for the winners.

The winners will be unveiled at a special ceremony and receive the Bradford Medal at the Bradford Hotel in December.

The Community Star Awards 2021 (Image: Newsquest)

For 2023’s Community Stars Awards, there are 10 categories in total: The Good Neighbour of the Year, sponsored by Incommunities; The Outstanding Contribution to Earliest Years of Life Award, sponsored by Better Start Bradford; Shared Values in Action Award, sponsored by Bradford For Everyone; Voluntary and Community Group (Larger Charities / Social Enterprises); Voluntary and Community Group (Small organisation – less than two full time or equivalent staff); Volunteer of the Year; Young Active Citizens (age 8-16); Young Active Citizens (age 17-25); Business Making a Difference, sponsored by Participate Projects; and Fundraiser of the Year.

People can share their nominations by visiting https://bit.ly/communitystarsform

Cllr Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said:  “The Community Stars Awards is a really special way to celebrate the many wonderful people who make a significant difference to individuals and communities across the district.

“Our daily lives are enriched by the support, help and guidance provided by unsung heroes in all walks of life whose efforts and achievements deserve to be celebrated. Our district is a much better place to live and work thanks to them. 

“I would strongly urge people whose lives have been touched by someone who goes the extra mile to make a difference, to nominate them for an award.”

Community Stars Awards 2023

• The Good Neighbour of the Year award celebrates people that go above and beyond to do the neighbourly thing in their local community.
• The Outstanding Contribution to the Earliest Years of Life award, celebrates those who continue to have a hugely positive impact on the life of babies, young children and their families.
• The Shared Values in Action Award is all about recognising the people, initiatives and actions that help to ensure Bradford district is a place where everyone feels that they belong, are understood, feel safe and able to fully participate in the opportunities on our doorstep.
• The Voluntary and Community Group (Small organisation – less than two full time or equivalent staff) award recognises groups run by the community for the benefit of local residents in and around the district.
• There is also a second edition of this award, Voluntary and Community Group (Larger Charities / Social Enterprises).
• The Volunteer of The Year will be someone who goes that extra mile to provide a crucial community service.
• Young Active Citizens (age 8-16) aims to celebrate our younger volunteers who have helped others in and around Bradford district.
• There is a second award for Young Active Citizens aged 17 to 25.
• The Business Making a Difference Award recognises businesses that go above and beyond to support their communities. 
• These businesses may volunteer their time, donate money or goods, or share their skills with others. 
• They are making a difference in the lives of their neighbours and making the district a better place to live, work, and play. 
• The Fundraiser of the Year award is designed to recognise the huge efforts that goes on - often behind the scenes - to bring change to our communities.