CELEBRATING THE INDIVIDUALS & ORGANISATIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO OUR GROWTH, RESILIENCE & VITALITY
Awards Sponsored by
Welcome to the South Wales Community Awards 2026
The South Wales Community Awards are an opportunity to showcase the incredible people, groups and communities. These are our unsung heroes, who should be recognised for the amazing work that they do.
The awards allow the South Wales Argus and partners to showcase South Wales and the people that make the difference. Some have saved lives, some have cared for others and some have raised huge sums for charity or have made a real difference to their communities.
There are many categories, to chose from so please nominate that person or group you know deserves to be recognised.
Gavin Thompson
Regional Editor of the South Wales Argus
Sponsorship available in 2026
Raise your profile by sponsoring our awards in 2026
Sharon Wilson
Sales Director
If you would like more information on the opportunities available, please contact myself on 07539665154 or sharon.wilson@localiq.co.uk
AWARD Categories & SPONSORS
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award goes to a person who has dedicated a lifetime to a cause. We are looking for a pillar of the local community who has spent year championing Hertfordshire and making good things happen. They could have done this through volunteering or being part of the local business community.
Best Independent Business of the Year
We are looking for an independent business large, small or market stall who has really made an impact.
Health and Beauty Business of the Year
We are looking for a business in the health, beauty and wellbeing who has really made an impact. This could be a salon, beautician, mobile hairdresser, makeup artist, Pilates studio or another business or sole trader in the health, beauty or wellness sector.
Food and Drink Business of the Year
We are looking for restaurant, pub or take away who has really made an impact. We want to hear all about their excellent food, drink and customer service.
Best Customer Service Award
Ensuring clients return time and again is so important for a business and this award is about finding that one firm which really goes the extra mile for customers. We want to hear from businesses whether that is large companies or small shops who are proud of their service.
Best Community Project or Group
This award will honour a project or group which is making a difference to a community from a neighbourhood partnership to a youth group or pensioners’ club.
Volunteer or Fundraiser of the Year
This award is for those people who give up their time to volunteer for a charity, a cause or to help others and for those who raise lots of money for charities and those in need. Tell us about why they should win this award.
Community Champion of the Year
We want to recognise and celebrate local people who volunteer their time to helping and supporting their neighbours, local neighbourhood or community. This person demonstrates a sense of pride in their local neighbourhood and a commitment to making them better through simple neighbourly actions. Do they willingly help their community It could be someone who volunteers within their own local community to promote and enhance people's wellbeing. Do they willingly help their community and build supportive relationships with people who live around them, particularly vulnerable people?
Sports Team or Club of the Year
Sport is so important in the area, and we know there are plenty of community sports teams and clubs. This award is about celebrating teams or clubs who are going from strength to strength.
School of the Year
This award will go to an exceptional school. We are not only looking for academic achievement, we also want the entries to demonstrate innovation, imagination and efforts to develop young people in ways that go beyond the league tables
Teacher of the Year
Is your child’s teacher the best in the Stroud and Five Valleys area? Has a college lecturer or trainer inspired a student to go on to fulfil their dreams? We want to reward the hard work of our education workers and trainers who have gone the extra mile for their pupils
Healthcare Professional of the Year
This award recognises that all those work in healthcare, who make a difference to people’s lives every day. Do you know a someone working in healthcare (for example a dentist, nurse, optician, audiologist, GP, care worker or similar) who has worked hard to enable someone to live an independent, safe and fulfilled life? Have they helped to change someone’s life for the better? It is these everyday stories about how our healthcare workers make a difference (big or small) that the judges want to hear.
GP Practice of the Year
We are looking for a GP practice that stands out for the level of care they provide. Have you received great service? Has a doctor or practice nurse gone above or beyond the call of duty, or has the receptionist always greeted you with a smile and a friendly word? This award recognises the contribution of everyone in the GP practice in providing a good service to patients, where staff have gone the extra mile when treating you or someone you know.
Contribution to the Arts Award
There are some fantastic music, drama and dance groups across East Wales and this award celebrates their work and the people who run them. This award could go to a group’s director, conductor or teacher alternatively a whole organisation could be nominated. We want to hear how new talent is nurtured, about performances in the last 12 months and the legacy and lasting achievements the group or this person has.
Young person of the Year
There are many remarkable youngsters in the community who deserve to be recognised. From high achievements at school, to charity work or helping in the community, these youngsters work hard. We are looking for a young person under the age of 18 who has done something inspirational and who deserves recognition.
View our gallery and video from our previous awards
