COMMUNITY - a little word that makes a world of difference to the people of Glasgow.

The Glasgow Community Planning Partnership has launched the Glasgow Community Champion Awards to crown the heroes of local communities.

We have teamed up with Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue and the Glasgow Evening Times to throw the spotlight on individuals and teams making a difference in their area.

Over the next 10 months, our awards scheme will visit every area of the city to recognise those community activists committed to improving lives. We will be looking for examples of outstanding work being done across the city, be it through improving housing or recreational facilities, cleaning up our environment, encouraging others into work or training, helping those less advantaged, or campaigning for improved services or safer communities.

We are searching for the best examples of individuals who give up their time, incredible charities or local organisations, young people who have shown inspirational bravery or fund-raising, plus neighbours who help those around them. Those in the public service realm will also be recognised - teams and individuals whose vital work plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in Glasgow.

The awards have been broken down into 10 areas of the city, and six awards will be presented to winners at a high profile awards ceremony in each of the ten areas. You can nominate anyone in your area by filling in the application form available to download here - or send us your details and we will post a form to you. Forms are also available at local police or fire stations and various council offices and libraries.

Two local Community Planning Partnership areas - Baillieston, Shettleston & Greater Easterhouse, and West, have already held successful local events.  The third area to feature in the awards will be the Pollokshields & Southside Central local CPP area. Send us your nominations of people and groups doing remarkable work in this area, and they could be recognised at the awards ceremony to held on 27 January 2009. 

Each month after that, the awards will travel north, south, east and west to host a ceremony in a different part of Glasgow where we will name other local champions. At each awards night, residents will be invited to come and watch the ceremony, find out more about their local services or plans for regeneration in their area, and make suggestions for improvements.

Further information can be requested by contacting:

community@eveningtimes.co.uk,
200 Renfield Street,
Glasgow G2 3QB,
0141 302 6524.

To nominate for an award, please download the relevant form opposite.

THE AWARDS:

We are looking for nominations for Glasgow's community heroes in each of the following categories:

INDIVIDUAL AWARD
We want to hear inspirational stories of people who give up free time to make a significant contribution to other people's lives or to a community. This could be someone running a local sports club, campaigning for better services, tackling health issues or committed to cleaning up their area.

TEAM AWARD
This recognises the life-enhancing work of community teams, organisations, charities or a group of volunteers. For example, any group involved in fund-raising, organising community events or making the community a better or safer place.

PUBLIC SERVICES INDIVIDUAL AWARD
This will be presented to people working for a public service in a local community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. It could be a teacher, social worker, housing officer, doctor, nurse or emergency services officer.

PUBLIC SERVICES TEAM AWARD
This is for a remarkable public service team that has made an outstanding contribution to help those they serve. This team working in any public sector will have gone that extra mile to provide help and support, making a difference to the lives of others.

NEIGHBOUR AWARD
Everybody needs good neighbours, but perhaps you know a local community star who goes out of their way to help others? We're looking to recognise those unsung heroes who make a big contribution with no expectation of reward or personal gain.

YOUNG COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
It's never too early to become a Community Champion! We're looking to find people aged 17 and younger who have shown inspirational behaviour, perhaps through incredible fund-raising projects or acts of bravery. Nominations for young groups and individuals are welcome, and can include voluntary youth groups, uniformed organisations, community groups and schools.