The Wigan Borough Our Town awards give recognitions to local people who go over and above to support their local community.
This year’s nominations are now open so if you know someone who deserves a pat on the back for putting others first, please nominate them to be recognised as part of the Our Town awards.
Shortlisted nominees will be invited to a special awards ceremony in November 2023 and winners will receive up to £500 to spend with a local business of their choice from across Wigan Borough.
They could treat themselves to a spa day, or afternoon tea, get some plants to revamp their garden or hit the race-track. The choice is completely theirs.
The different categories are listed below.
Closing date for nominations is 30th June 2023.
Young person of the year
Do you know an inspirational young person? We’re lucky to have so many amazing children and young people in our borough who are helping to make the world a better place, whether it’s by volunteering or even just by going the extra mile for family or friends who need a helping hand. If you know someone under eighteen who deserves recognition, nominate them to be our young person of the year.
Environment Champion
If you know an individual who is helping to create a cleaner, greener borough for us all to enjoy – we’d love to hear about them. Whether they are passionate about the environment, a litter picking legend or keeping our borough blossoming through the In Bloom awards, nominate them today.
Community Initiative of the Year
Our borough is brimming with thriving community groups, from charities and CICs to arts and culture programmes which tackle social issues head on. We’re especially interested to hear about creative initiatives, and learning more about how many people it engaged and what its impact was. Give a group that’s improving lives in our local area the recognition they deserve by nominating them to receive our community initiative of the year award.
Neighbour of the Year
Do you have a neighbour with kindness coursing through their veins? We want to recognise the people who make our borough brilliant, the neighbours that care; the people who bring your bins up after they’ve been collected, drop you off at medical appointments or help you maintain your garden when life gets a bit much! Whatever they’re doing, tell us and get them the recognition they deserve.
Unsung Hero
We have so many wonderful community groups and networks that we’re proud of. But often, there are people working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring people together and make connections within the community. This category recognises the unsung heroes who create positive change all around them. They might not be a formal volunteer, but do you know someone who always champions their community, supporting those around them and helping people to achieve their best? Nominate them today and they might become the next recipient of our unsung hero award.
Volunteer of the Year
Do you know a volunteer who dedicates hours of their time to charities? They might advocate for those who need it, raise funds for charities or work to encourage inclusion within the borough. Or perhaps they spend their time running community safety projects or volunteering at their local food pantry. If you know a star volunteer, this is the category for you.
Community Wealth Building: Business of the Year
Businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy, but some of the best businesses are the ones that give back. Do you know a business that supports others in our business community, or are making waves with reducing their carbon footprints and creating extra job opportunities and apprenticeships for local people? If you know a business with heart which supports social value projects and makes things better for local people in their communities, placing our borough firmly on the map, nominate them today.
Health and Social Care Hero
From saving lives (either inside or outside of work) to setting up local initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of local people and communities, in this category we’re looking for the individuals who champion people in our borough living healthy, happy lives.
School of the Year
Has your local school made a big difference? Has it led a project that has benefitted the local community, or taken part in a national competition? Whether your school community has worked together in an emergency or is simply helping children to thrive through fantastic results and a strong family ethos, nominate it for school of the year.
Helping Hand Carers Award
Do you know an unpaid carer or someone with caring responsibilities from Wigan Borough who makes a huge difference to the lives of a family member, friend or neighbour? Do they go above and beyond to support them to complete their daily tasks and bring a smile every day? If you know someone who deserves to be recognised, nominate them to win the helping hand carers award.
To nominate someone for an award please complete Our Town Awards nomination form.