NOMINATIONS are now open for the first Rural South Worcestershire Community Safety Awards which recognises people who have helped make Malvern Hills and Wychavon a safer place.

The awards, which will be held at the Civic Centre in Pershore on September 20, will celebrate the hard-work of outstanding individuals, teams and projects from the Rural South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership.

It is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of those who have gone above and beyond to make their local communities a safer place to work, live or visit.

There will be six award categories, including ‘Volunteer of the Year’ for those who have given up their time to make a positive impact on the community, ‘Team of the Year’ for a team of two or more who have achieved exceptional results and ‘Newcomer of the Year’ for an individual who has made a significant impact in their first 12 months in post.

The ‘Project of the Year’ award rewards an outstanding campaign that has raised awareness of a community safety issue, ‘Unsung Hero of the Year’ for an individual that always goes above and beyond to support their community and the ‘Long Service Award’ which celebrates 15 years of dedicated service to one of the Community Safety Partners.

All nominations entered into the Long Service award will also be considered in the Unsung Hero of the Year category.

Cllr Bronwen Behan, portfolio holder for the environment on Malvern Hills District Council, said: “The Rural South Worcestershire Community Safety Awards 2018 are a great way to celebrate the achievements of those selfless individuals or groups who work tirelessly to make the Malvern Hills and Wychavon districts a safer place for everyone to enjoy.”

Cllr Gerry O’Donnell, Executive Board Member with responsibility for health and wellbeing together with community safety on Wychavon District Council, said: “It is an honour for us to welcome and celebrate those who have gone above and beyond for their communities.

“Living in a safe environment is a privilege that is denied to many across the world and it is important that we recognise the people who help make our lives healthier and happier on a daily basis.”

All applicants must be part of the Rural South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership (Malvern Hills and Wychavon.

The panel can only base their decision on the information in the nomination form, so please complete this to the best of your ability.

The deadline for nominations is August 22.

Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/rural-south-worcestershire-community-safety-awards or www.wychavon.gov.uk/rural-south-worcestershire-community-safety-awards for more information.