The annual Swanage Community Awards have been launched for 2025 and local residents are being urged to put forward the names of those who they think are the most deserving of an award.
The aim of the town council awards is to give public recognition by way of an award to individuals or groups who have contributed significantly to the quality of life of the community.
One of the glass star awards
Public recognition
There are eight categories for 2025 plus a special award may be awarded by the panel to an individual or group for an outstanding achievement, or service provided to the community, during the year.
Categories
- Community Award – To be presented to a group or organisation which has made an outstanding contribution to the town of Swanage and its residents
- Volunteer of the Year – To be presented to an individual for their outstanding contribution to the town and its residents, and to celebrate the positive impact they have had on the local community
- Service with a Smile – To be presented to an individual or group for their passion ancommitment to exceptional service to others
- Arts and Heritage – To be presented to an individual or group for their contribution to the local arts, science and cultural experience in the town
- Green Champion – To be presented to an individual or group to recognise their efforts and achievements in relation to positive changes to the local environment, making Swanage a greener place to live in and enjoy (e.g. new green community initiatives, planting or caring for a vital habitat, encouraging / supporting the uptake of active travel, or changing behaviours in support of the climate change agenda)
- Youth Citizen of the Year – To be presented to a person under the age of 25 for compassionate works, volunteering or citizenship roles undertaken within the community, or at school
- Small Business of the Year – To be presented to a local, independent business, which has positively contributed to the quality-of-life experience in the town
- Lifetime Achievement – To be presented to an individual in recognition of their long-term commitment to volunteering, making a positive contribution to the town and its residents, and to celebrate the effort and dedication they have shown over a number of years
Members of the Swanage Town Band picked up the Community Award in 2024 for the joy they bring to the town with their live concerts
Deadline 12 noon Thursday 6th March 2025
Any member of the public who is a registered elector in Swanage may submit one or more nominations to Swanage Town Council.
Nominations are now open and must be submitted no later than 12 noon on Thursday 6th March 2025.
Selecting the winners will be the awards panel consisting of the Swanage town mayor, Swanage deputy mayor, an officer of the town council, rector of Swanage, and president of Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Club.
Guests gathered at The Centre in Chapel Lane for the award ceremony in 2024
“Swanage may be a small town but it’s got a huge heart!”
Swanage town mayor Tina Foster said:
“Our town is full of wonderful people who volunteer or work hard for our community. I’d like to encourage everyone to have a think about who most deserves an award and then fill out the form and nominate them.
“It would be especially welcome to see lots of our fabulous young people get nominated, so teachers and parents, please don’t hesitate to put forward the names of anyone under 25 years in the youth category, who you think deserves an award for what they do within our community.
“We really want to recognise a wide range of well deserving people across our thriving community, so please spread the news. Swanage may be a small town but it’s got a huge heart!”
Further information
- The nomination form is available on the Swanage Town Council website
- Paper copies are available at Swanage Town Hall in the High Street or Swanage Information Centre on Shore Road
- Completed nomination forms may be emailed to admin@swanage.gov.uk, handed in at Swanage Town Hall, or delivered by post to Swanage Town Council, The Town Hall, High Street, Swanage, Dorset BH19 2NZ
