01283 219761
Nominations for the Annual Volunteer Awards 2025 NOW OPEN!
Thursday 2nd October 2025
4.30PM to 7.00PM
Oakland Village
Hall Farm Road
Swadlincote
Derbyshire DE11 8LH
The South Derbyshire Volunteer Awards and Celebration aims to celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups who give their time, energy, and skills to support local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations and groups. Organised annually, the awards recognise the vital role volunteers play in making South Derbyshire a better place to live and work, highlighting their dedication, compassion, and impact across a wide range of causes and organisations.
Award Categories
(1) New Volunteer Award This award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the organisation, service and/or our clients in less than eighteen (18) months form there start date. Nominee’s must be aged 21 or over. (2) Young Volunteer of the Year Award This award recognises the effort and selfless act of Young People volunteering to make a difference in their community or for the benefit of others. Nominee’s must be between the age of 14 and 21 years. (3) Trustee of the Year Award Sometimes it’s the quiet ones who are the unsung heroes, quietly leading their charity to fulfil its purposes and potential. Which trustee inspires you? This award seeks to recognise the contributions of our Trustees. (4) Fundraising Champion Award This award recognises a volunteer or voluntary team/group who has raised funds for a charity or community group or project and who has made an invaluable contribution over the past twelve (12) months. (5) Lifelong Commitment to Volunteering Award This award recognises award recognises the achievements of an exceptional individual who has made an outstanding contribution and significant difference to South Derbyshire Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations and groups through their commitment to volunteering for more than ten (10) years. Nominee’s must be aged 21 years or over. (6) Health and Wellbeing Award This award recognises a volunteer, voluntary team, group, organisation or community group that have made a significant improvement to the health and wellbeing of people and communities in South Derbyshire, specifically relating to mental and physical wellbeing. This could include, but not limited to, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations and groups working to prevent social isolation or supporting the community to participate in wellbeing activities. (7) Green Planet Award This award recognises a volunteer, voluntary team, group, organisation or community group engaged in and supporting sustainability or environmental activities or projects. Perhaps an organisation encouraging the community to embrace greener activity or delivering education or outdoor learning projects, or conservation and gardening opportunities. (8) Corporate Engagement Award This award recognises the commitment and impact of corporate or local business supporters who may have encouraged, provided and or supported its staff to volunteer in the South Derbyshire community, may have provided valuable skills and or expertise to support or mentor local groups, or may have sponsored much needed work or resources for South Derbyshire Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations and groups. (9) Voluntary Group or Team of the Year Award This award recognises the commitment and impact of voluntary team or group who have come together in the spirit of volunteerism to make a significant and measurable difference in their community or for their cause. Whether working on a long-term initiative or responding to an urgent need, this award celebrates the power of teamwork, shared vision, and sustained dedication to service. The team or group must consist of two (2) or more individuals volunteering as a team or organised group and have contributed a substantial amount of volunteer hours over the past year. The team or group must have demonstrated impact in the community, innovation in approach, or effective collaboration with partners. (10) Volunteer of the Year Award An award for a volunteer who has shown commitment, passion and care for their volunteering and made a significant difference to their volunteer cause and the community at large. This award seeks to recognise a volunteer whose exceptional enthusiasm and dedication to volunteering has made a significant difference to local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations and groups within the last twelve (12) months. Nominee’s must have been actively volunteering for a minimum of eighteen (18) months. Additional information is required for a Nominee against one (1) or more of the following criteria: - Commitment to volunteering - Volunteering with an impact - Standout moment when volunteering
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible for nomination? Can I nominate myself? Individual nominees must be residents of South Derbyshire or carry out their voluntary activities in the South Derbyshire district. Voluntary team or group nominees must carry out their voluntary activities in the South Derbyshire district. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Awards will not be granted posthumously. Who can nominate for and award? Nominations can be submitted by anyone, you do not need to be affiliated with the nominee in any official capacity, as long as you can provide clear and meaningful information about their impact on the community. How many nominations can I submit? You can nominate as many individuals, groups, teams, corporate organisations or local businesses as you wish, but a separate nomination is required for each nomination. Can I nominate and individual, group or team for more than one award category? You can nominate any individual, voluntary groups or teams, or local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations and groups for more than award category (please ensure you check award categories to ensure they are eligible for consideration first - maximum 3). Please clearly indicate all the categories you wish the nomination to be considered for on the form. Corporate organisations or local businesses can only be nominated for the Corporate Engagement Award. What information is needed to nominate? Awards are judged using the information provided on the nomination form, so it’s important to include plenty of detail and where possible elaborate with examples. Points for considerations have been included on the form to provide you with direction and guidance when writing your nomination. Should I tell the Nominee I am nominating them, or should it be a surprise? Once you’ve read these FAQs and decided that you want to make a nomination, please tell the Nominee as their consent is required to share their information. South Derbyshire CVS is highly committed to the recognition of volunteering efforts, and this includes promotion via social media and other digital channels such as our website and the media. So, you may also want to discuss that with them. Please also make them aware of the event date so they can save the date in case they are successfully selected to receive an award. It would be a shame if they were not available to attend to collect their award. What happens after I submit a nomination? Once you submit a nomination, it will be reviewed by our awards board. They will evaluate each submission based on the information provided, impact, and the supporting materials provided (where applicable). All winners will be contacted via email and will receive an invitation to attend the Volunteer Celebration event on or before Monday 8th September 2025, providing approximately four (4) weeks notice. Will there be an award ceremony? es, the awards will be presented at an event. If successful in receiving an award can the Nominee bring guests with them to the event? Yes, those receiving awards will be permitted to bring a guest with them to the event. Can I attend the event with my Nominee? Yes, Nominators of shortlisted nominees will be contacted at the same time and will also receive an invitation for themselves and a guest to attend, in addition to the Nominees allowance. Will details of the winning Nominees be shared publicly after the event? South Derbyshire CVS is highly committed to the recognition of volunteering efforts, and this includes promotion via social media and other digital channels such as our website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Consent to share a Nominees image will be obtained at the event, however, if any Nominee or guest does not wish for their image to be used in this way its important, they let us know on the day or in advance by emailing volunteer@sdcvs.org.uk as soon as possible. Who can I contact if I have further questions? For any additional questions or assistance with the nomination process, please contact us at: volunteer@sdcvs.org.uk .We're happy to help!
Before you submit a nomination, please ensure you have read our Guidelines and FAQs.
Deadline for nominations 1st September 2025, 9.00AM
Forms to nominate an INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER for an Award
Forms to nominate a VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION, GROUP OR TEAM for an Award
Forms to nominate an ORGANISATION OR LOCAL BUSINESS for an Award
