NOMINATIONS are now open for the eleventh annual Community Stars Awards, which aim to recognise Bradfordians who have gone the extra mile for their communities.

The awards, which are organised by the Telegraph & Argus and Bradford Council, honour the district's often unsung heroes, with nominations put forward by members of the public.

Award categories include 'good neighbour', 'volunteer of the year' and 'outstanding student of the year', amongst others.

The 'good neighbour' category, which is sponsored by Incommunities, celebrates those who support the people around them, something which has been all the more important this year, given that we began 2021 under lockdown.

The 'outstanding contribution to early years' award is sponsored by Better Start Bradford, and will recognise those who "continue to have a hugely positive impact on the life of babies, young children and their families".

The third category, 'shared values in action', is for the people and initiatives which help to make the Bradford district a place where everyone feels safe, understood and able to fully participate in the opportunities which are available to them. It is sponsored by two organisations, Bradford for Everyone and People Can.

The 'voluntary and community group' award category, which is sponsored by Volunteering Bradford, will recognise groups "run for the benefit of local residents" across the district, while 'volunteer of the year' will pay tribute to "a resident who goes out of his or her way to provide a crucial community service".

The 'young active citizens' award will celebrate younger volunteers who are making a difference, while 'the business making a difference' category will "shine a spotlight on the district’s companies which go the extra mile to provide services to their community, and help their customers and organisations in a range of ways".

'Fundraiser of the year' will acknowledge the "huge efforts" made to create change in local communities, while the 'outstanding student of the year' award comes after another year which has been interrupted by coronavirus, with students succeeding despite having to contend with remote learning and isolation.

New categories have also been introduced this year to recognise the responses to Covid-19, with local figures rallying around their communities despite the difficulties brought on by the virus.

These include the 'Covid community star' category, which aims to honour "individuals or community groups who have made an exceptional contribution" in the wake of the pandemic.

'Covid business star' will recognise those companies which have powered through the crisis, while the 'Covid public service star' award will also acknowledge all of the efforts made by people amid coronavirus.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Shabir Hussain, said that the awards have given the district the opportunity to say thank you to those who have "contributed" and helped to bring people together.

“The Bradford district has a strong culture of volunteering, and in these past couple of years, more than ever, this has been evident with communities and neighbours coming together to support one another", he said.

"These awards are a chance to thank those people who have contributed and helped others and celebrate their achievements.

“Every day thousands of people receive help and support from volunteers, and by nominating someone for a Community Stars Award you are recognising these often unsung heroes.”

Nigel Burton, Editor at the Telegraph & Argus, added that selfless acts of kindness and support have helped to build community spirit across the district, which is something that we "need to keep hold of" and "build on" moving forward.

"Bradford’s community stars have been more important than ever during the pandemic", he said.

“Lockdown brought with it innumerable acts of kindness by local people, who selflessly stepped up to help during an unprecedented crisis.

“One of the very few good things to have come out of the past 18 months has been a greater appreciation of what it means to be part of a local community and how we can all help each other.

"We need to keep hold of that and build on it.

“That’s why it feels like the right time to celebrate the folk who went the extra mile during the pandemic, and let them know how much their kindness meant.

"The T&A is honoured to salute our community stars."

Nominations can be made online, at thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/communitystars/communitystarsnominationform/.

The deadline for nominations is midnight on Friday, 15 October.