The annual Swanage Town Council community awards have been launched for 2023 which recognise local people and organisations for their contribution towards the town.
This is an opportunity for anyone who is a registered elector in Swanage to propose an award for a deserving individual or group.
One of the Swanage Town Council community awards handed out in 2022
People who go above and beyond
The awards ceremony for 2022 was held at The Mowlem’s Show Bar with winning recipients including Swanage Beach Buddies who keep the beach clean, the Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust which undertakes projects to extend the range of services and facilities in the community, and former chair of the Friends of Swanage Hospital Jan Turnbull, as well as recognition of all the emergency service teams that serve Swanage.
Swanage Town Council says it’s more than aware of the many volunteers who work quietly away in the background and feels it’s important to recognise local individuals and groups who undertake this vital work, contributing to the quality of community life.
The aim is to shine a light on those people who go above and beyond to help others, and who make Swanage a great place to live.
The awards ceremony in October 2022
Award categories
- Community Award – A group or organisation which has made an outstanding contribution to the town of Swanage and its residents
- Volunteer of the Year – 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 – An individual or group for their passion and commitment to exceptional service to others
- Arts, Sciences and Culture – An individual or group for their contribution to the local arts, science and cultural experience in the town
- Green Champion – 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)
- Young Citizen or Student of the Year – 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 – A local, independent business, which has positively contributed to the quality of life experience in the town
- Lifetime Achievement – 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
Swanage town mayor Tina Foster (centre) with volunteers from the community radio station Purbeck Coast 101.2 FM
“So many wonderful people”
Swanage Town Mayor Tina Foster said:
“I hope local people will take the opportunity to fill in the forms to nominate their local heroes or anyone you feel should be recognised for their work in the town.
“There are so many wonderful people who work so hard to make Swanage such a beautiful and safe place to live.”
The deadline for nominations is no later than 5 pm on Friday 30th November 2023 with the awards evening expected to be held early in 2024.
Further information
- Any member of the public who is a registered elector in Swanage may submit one or more nominations to Swanage Town Council
- More details of the awards and a nomination form are on the council’s website