The search is on for our Blackburn with Darwen superheroes!

Today is the launch of the Community Volunteer Awards 2022 to celebrate the amazing people and groups who make a big difference in our borough.

Nominations are now open for all our local superstars who dedicate themselves to making our community a better place.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Community CVS are teaming up with local charities and businesses to hold the awards, which shine a light on the contributions community groups and individuals make all year round.

You can nominate anyone who helps in any way – It could be someone who gives their spare time for free to help out with clubs or groups, someone who dedicates their time to charity, people who help to keep their communities clean and tidy or people who make a difference to the lives of others – there are categories for every good deed.

Awards are up for grabs across 12 categories including The Good Neighbour Award, Volunteer of the Year, an Environment Award, Grassroots Award and the Community Involvement Award, which is open to the local business community.

This week is Volunteer’s Week, where our unsung heroes are celebrated for their tireless dedication. The Council have over 2,000 volunteers and the majority say they want to make a difference and give something back. So this week we are celebrating every single volunteer and saying thank you for all of their contributions.

Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of the Council, said:

Our borough is packed with brilliant people, groups and organisations who work tirelessly to make our towns and communities that bit better. They are the true unsung heroes of Blackburn and Darwen.

If you know of anyone in your area who has made a difference then please do nominate them, it is really important to recognise these people and groups and their work and dedication.

Please take a moment to take a look at the nomination forms and the categories and put forward any names of people or groups who deserve the recognition for their hard work and commitment, it could make a real difference and shine a light on all this wonderful work taking place.”

Chief Executive of Community CVS Garth Hodgkinson added:

I am always inspired by the amazing efforts of our voluntary groups and volunteers to overcome whatever life throws at us and show the passion, dedication and positivity to help others.  Please get involved, nominate someone, a community group or an organisation and help us to acknowledge and celebrate the unique contributions that are being made to help our communities across Blackburn with Darwen.  I would like to thank our sponsors – without their support we could not put on this event.”

Mohammed Sidat MBE, Director of Operations at IMO, said:

We are excited to announce our support of the CVS Community Volunteer Awards 2022. Volunteers are vital and a keystone to the great work organisations do in Blackburn with Darwen. It is important we recognise and celebrate their unfaltering contributions to our community. Our volunteers represent the absolute best of Blackburn with Darwen offering a real lifeline and support to others. We look forward to seeing our community heroes honoured for all their hard work and dedication.”

The closing date for nominations is Friday 26^th August 2022

Nominations can be made online at www.communitycvs.org.uk/volunteer/volunteer-awards/.

You can also collect nomination forms from Community CVS at the Community Hub, 35 Railway Road, Blackburn BB1 1EZ – or contact Donna Talbot on (01254) 583957 or donna.talbot@communitycvs.org.uk.

The Community Volunteer Awards will be presented at a special celebration in King George’s Hall in November presented by BBC Radio Lancashire Breakfast Show presenter Graham Liver.

Among the sponsors of the 2022 Community Volunteer Awards are: IMO Charity (Inspire, Motivate, Overcome), Blackburn Rovers Football Club & Community Trust, Star Tissue, Shelter , Suez, Farleys Solicitors, DPM Security, Newground Together, The Hive, BwD Interfaith Forum, East Lancs Hospice, The Wellbeing Farm, CBP, Herbert Parkinson Care station, BwD Carers Service, The Wish Centre, Age Uk, Healthwatch, Blackburn College and Lancashire Women

Other Blackburn with Darwen businesses who would like to get involved in the Community Volunteer Awards as a sponsor can contact Donna Talbot at Community CVS at:  donna.talbot@communitycvs.org.uk 01254 583957