Search is on for Glasgow's Community Champions 2023

These are the people who give the Southside its sparkle, and who bring community spirit to the East End. They are our northern stars, and the best in the west.

Who deserves to be recognised for the positive impact they are making on your neighbourhood?

The Glasgow Community Champion Awards are back for 2023, supported by Glasgow City Council, Trades House Glasgow, Wheatley Glasgow and Merck.

Glasgow Times Editor Stacey Mullen said: “The Glasgow Times is proud of its record of celebrating the fantastic community work which goes on in every corner of this city.

“These awards help showcase our amazing unsung heroes – the men, women and children making a huge difference to the lives of those around them through charity work, activism, sports coaching or working in public service.

“We know these people are not doing this for recognition or trophies, but they deserve our thanks and support. Our Community Champion Awards are a great way to pay tribute to them.”

She added: “Every year, we are truly blown away by the standard of entries and we expect this year to be no different. We can’t wait to hear your nominations, and to be able to share those stories with Glasgow Times readers.”

Once again nine trophies will be up for grabs - Team Award, Individual Award, Public Service Award, Uniformed Services Award, Senior Award, Young Award, Health and Wellbeing Award, Sports Award and School Award. A public vote will decide regional winners in three areas of the city – the North East, the North West and the South.

Closing date for nominations is Thursday, September 14.

St Albert's Primary picked up the Lord Provost's Special Recognition Award (Image: Newsquest)

Last year’s winners included St Albert’s Primary, who won the Lord Provost’s Special Recognition Award for an innovative book project and PC Natalie Pollok, who won a special Editor’s Award for her dogged determination in tracking down thieves in the Gorbals.

The Team Award went to The Courtyard Pantry, a vital community hub in Ruchill which provides discounted food to locals, runs a welcoming cafe and helps local people get jobs and volunteering opportunities.

Kenny Trainer, who won the Individual Award last year (Image: Newsquest)

Bluevale Community Club driving force Kenny Trainer won the Individual category, while the Uniformed Services Award went to paramedics Willie Anderson and Scott Diamond, whose bravery and quick-thinking saved 35 people from a burning building in Glasgow city centre.

Kodie Stewart, who won the Young Award (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

The Young Award went to Kodie Stewart, an inspirational 16-year-old from Easterhouse who helps local young people gain skills and confidence through sport, and the Senior Award was presented to the Milton Rattlers, who run everything from bingo nights to coffee mornings in the North of the city.

The Health and Wellbeing Award went to garden project Growing Together, which supports more than 100 adults with learning disabilities in Drumchapel, and the Public Service Award was presented to mental health initiative Men Matter Scotland.

The Sports Award was presented to Castlemilk Community Football, who, when faced with the potential closure of the Barlia pitches, fought to keep them open and have since hosted hundreds of matches, free football camps and community events.

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The School Award was presented to Shawlands Primary for its innovative Bike Bus project, a fantastic sustainable transport initiative.

The Glasgow Community Champion Awards are supported by Glasgow City Council, Trades House Glasgow, Wheatley Glasgow and Merck.

Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren said: “The Glasgow Times Community Champion Awards celebrate the very best people across our city – the People Who Make Glasgow. These are exceptional, civic-minded individuals, always willing to go the extra mile to help others, whether it’s a friend, neighbour or acquaintance.

“We know Community Champions are our pride and joy. We know they always turn up with a smile on their face, offering practical help and a kind word. I’m looking forward to getting involved and meeting them.”

Bruce Reidford, Deacon Convenor at Trades House Glasgow, said: “The primary purpose of Trades House is to support those in our great city who need us most, such as families fleeing domestic abuse, children in kinship care situations or students looking to gain access to higher education.  Through charitable giving, we are committed to providing practical and emotional support for the citizens of Glasgow.

“The Glasgow Times Community Champion Awards, in recognising teams and individuals who make an outstanding contribution to the lives and communities in Glasgow, is closely aligned to the goals of Trades House.  Due to the tireless work of these many champions, our city is a better place for everyone who lives here and we are delighted to be proud sponsors of this fantastic event.”

David McClelland, site head and managing director at Merck, said: “Merck has a long and proud history in the UK, stretching back more than 140 years. We take pride in the fact that we are embedded in our local communities, giving back in many different ways, whether it’s teaching our younger generations about the wonders of science, raising funds for some great local causes across Scotland and the UK or actively contributing to providing solutions to some of the world’s toughest healthcare related issues. 

“The Glasgow Community Champion Awards are a perfect example of supporting local communities. It’s people who do good deeds away from the limelight who deserve recognition. We are proud to be associated, once again, with these awards and look forward to hearing some of the stories of our unsung heroes in Glasgow.”

Bernadette Hewitt, chairperson of Wheatley Homes Glasgow, said: “We are delighted to once again support the Glasgow Times Community Champions awards.

“Communities and people are at the heart of everything we do at Wheatley Homes Glasgow, as we aim to create better homes, better lives and a better Glasgow. 

“There are so many unsung heroes across the city who make a difference to others and their communities every day – this is an excellent way of honouring their work and we look forward to being part of the awards.”

HOW TO NOMINATE

We want to hear about inspirational individuals and great groups in your area - who do you think deserves recognition for fantastic community work?

You can nominate anyone, from a community cop who goes above and beyond the day job to the inspirational teenager making waves at school, from pensioners campaigning for better services to grass-roots sports coaches inspiring young people to get active.

Tell us why they should win and remember to include lots of detail and photographs and video to support your entry.

You can nominate online by clicking here, or email stephen.laughlin@localiq.co.uk.

For more information, call 0141 302 6019.

The closing date for entries is Thursday, September 14.

A shortlist will go to a public online vote to determine the winners in each area – North East, North West and South - who will then progress to the Grand Final at Glasgow City Chambers on December 5.

A judging panel made up of representatives from the award partners will decide the Grand Final winners.