Community Awards are back!

We're launching our annual search for the selfless, unsung heroes who go that extra mile to make a real difference in their communities. 

Our Blaby District Council Community Awards 2026 are now open and we're encouraging you to nominate local volunteers or groups who work tirelessly to make the District a better place for fellow residents. 

There's a new category for 2026 – the Chair’s Long Service Volunteer award. This is aimed at those who have given 25 years' service or more in the local voluntary sector. 

The other four categories remain - Volunteer of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year, Sport and Physical Activity Volunteer of the Year and Community Group of the Year. 

This year we’re making a change to how the Community Group of the Year is decided. Previously the winner was chosen solely by public vote; for 2026 we are combining the public vote tally with the views of our judging panel to determine the victor. 

The deadline for nominations is midnight on Sunday 8 November. 

Councillor Ben Taylor, Leader of Blaby District Council, who will compere the awards evening on Thursday 28 January 2027, said: "We're urging everyone across the District to help us celebrate the amazing people who go above and beyond to support others and enrich the lives of fellow residents. There are so many unsung heroes out there making a real difference to their communities – we want to give them the appreciation they deserve." 

James Naylor, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active – our leisure provider partner and award sponsor, said: "It's really heartwarming to see so many people in the community wanting to do good things for others and it's incredible we can celebrate that. If there is a group or individual who you think is making a difference to you, then please make the nomination - please don't assume someone else is going to do it." 

Thanks go to our long-term supporters Everyone Active, Central Co-op and the Love Blaby Lottery, as well as new sponsors for this year, Winvic and Navigator Tissue. 

For more information about all our award categories, entry criteria, prizes and to make your nomination, visit: Community Awards 2026  

Anyone needing a nomination form in a different format can email: vcshub@blaby.gov.uk or call 0116 2727566. 

(Pictured: Gather, Create, Grow - Community Group of the Year 2025) 

Councillor Ben Taylor
Leader of the Council