We really liked this idea from South Brent Parish Council of offering Community Champion Awards at their Annual Parish Meeting to celebrate those who go above and beyond for their community. Councils are often asking us about how they can increase attendance at the Annual Parish Meeting or make it a more engaging event and while we have some suggestions already in our Knowledge Bank, we wanted to share this story!
This is a wonderful idea to not just utilise the Annual Parish Meeting, but also to raise the council’s profile and build links with their community in the area. Offering a Junior Community Champion Award also allows the council to work with younger people, helping to raise their awareness of the democratic process.
Thank you so much to the parish council for sharing; we really do love hear from our member councils about what you’ve been up to so please do tell us what you’ve been working on.
Jude Bishop, Community Champion 2023/24. Jude was nominated for her efforts cross several organisations – Sustainable South Brent, South Brent and District Caring, a local Refugee charity and is leading the development of a repair café
Mike Roberts, Nominee. Mike was nominated for his tireless efforts for the Royal British Legion. Acting as Standard Bearer at both the Act of Remembrance and Remembrance Service for many years, along with organising the hugely successful Annual Poppy Appeal
Councillor Glyn Richards, Chairman of South Brent Parish Council, presenting the Award and Nomination Certificates.
Gary Tidball, Nominee. Gary was nominated for his passion and commitment to the young footballers in South Brent. He started with an under 9’s team for his son and his friends. The team won the league and cup a couple of times over the following years and most of them still play now as a second men’s team, as they are now mostly 18.
Alice Hawkins, Nominee. Alice of Dartside Explorer Unit, was nominated for her help with the younger members of the Scout Troop is effective and enthusiastic. She is also a highly motivational young woman always willing to encourage and assist.
Councillor Glyn Richards, Chairman of South Brent Parish Council, presenting the Award and Nomination Certificate.
Kieran Grills, Junior Community Champion 2023/24 of Dartside Explorer Unit, was nominated for his assists with the younger members of the Scout Troop. His gentle and caring help is unfailingly thoughtful and appropriate. Kieran has an uncanny knack of knowing what needs doing, when and how. His contribution to the Explorer Unit is always a joy and is very effective. No matter what the task. Tidying up, cleaning-all tasks are completed with a big smile. In short Kieran is just great.