For the first time in 10 years, the Stockport Volunteer Awards return. 

This prestigious ceremony will celebrate local heroes in Stockport - all that remains for now is to make your nominations.  Whether it's a neighbour, friend, or community stalwart, you can nominate anybody you know in any of 10 categories. 

However, there isn't much time left - nominations close on 28 March, so get them in quickly HERE. 

The ceremony itself will take place at Edgeley Park on Tuesday 21 May, from 6.30pm. 

The Stockport Volunteer Awards ceremony will take place in the 1883 suite at Edgeley Park on 21 May 2024 (Image - Alasdair Perry)

The 10 categories are as follows: 

• Long service award: for the volunteers who have spent a great deal of time with their projects
• Good neighbour award: for those who demonstrate 'exceptional community spirit'.
• Volunteer mentor award: for people who have offered advice to those who need it most
• Unsung hero award: for those working behind the scenes who deserve some attention
• Climate action award: for local champions of the environment
• Volunteering team of the year: the award for a group of exceptional volunteers
• Young volunteer of the year: for top volunteers aged under 25
• Health and wellbeing award: for volunteers who have made happy and healthy lives a priority
• Community inclusion award: for a volunteer who has brought different communities and people together
• Corporate volunteer programme award: This includes businesses that have a defined corporate volunteering scheme

Whether it's running community cafes, helping neighbours, or anything in the spirit of volunteering, vote for who you think ought to be recognised! (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Shortlisted volunteers will be invited to the ceremony at Edgeley park, where they will enjoy a two-course meal and entertainment (and the prospect of an award!). 

Sector3 (the organisation working alongside Stockport Council and other partners to bring the awards together) has suggested there are as many as 57,000 people in the borough who are involved in some form of volunteering. 

This works out at some 213,000 hours per week, and £105 million worth of services per year. 

A Sector3 spokesperson said: "Without this workforce, many community groups, charities and voluntary organisations would cease to exist; so volunteers play a vital part in looking after our neighbourhoods, friends and families. 

"So if you know someone who has put a smile on your face by doing a good deed, nominate them for a Stockport Rocks Award!" Make your nominations HERE.

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