The Pioneer Group and Greenwood Academy have launched the Castle Vale Lockdown Champions awards to recognise amazing individuals and organisations who have supported the community through the lockdowns.

Whether it’s for picking up groceries for isolating neighbours, checking in for a socially distanced chat or teaching older residents to use technology to stay in touch with their friends and relatives – we want you to nominate a Castle Vale resident, or organisation to celebrate their kindness and community spirit during the coronavirus lockdowns.

Winners will receive a prize, yet to be decided, and recognition for their selfless contribution to a better Castle Vale.

Nominating is easy to do by filling in this quick form: simply fill in your name, contact details, nominee name and the reason you think they deserve recognition for their efforts.

The nominations are open until 11 January 2021, and the organisers have already started to receive entries, including a lady who had never really spoken to her elderly neighbour before and now picks up her weekly shopping; and a young boy who stayed calm and called 999 during an emergency.

Nominations are invited for the following categories:

Good Neighbour – have you needed support from your neighbours? Have they been checking in regularly, maybe making trips to the supermarket for you? Tell us about your good neighbours and what their support has meant to you.

My lockdown Rock – is there someone you know you couldn’t have done without during lockdown? Someone who has kept you going – maybe a family member, a friend? Is there that one person who you can count on day or night who has been your rock during lockdown? If so we need to hear about them!

Above and beyond – did something take you by surprise during lockdown? Did a knight in shining armour come through to support you or your family and go that extra mile? If you have been fortunate enough to benefit from a friend or relative with a heart of gold tell us all about it!

Unsung Heroes – so many people work hard behind the scenes and don’t want the plaudits, they just do it because they are good people. This is your opportunity to thrust them into the limelight and ensure they are recognised for their endeavours during lockdown. Share your stories – let’s shed some light on the unsung heroes!

Community Facilitator – some people are super organised and always come to the front to ensure that support is there when it is needed. Is there someone in your community that has ensured that the world still turned and that as much normality ensued as was possible? We want to hear your

Organisations – Is there an organisation who you could not have lived without during lockdown? A go-to group of people at the end of the phone to support you or your family when you needed it most? Let us know who the organisations who became your lifeline!

Young Person – Sometimes the resilience of young people shows no bounds. This was true for many during lockdown. Did a child of your own, a grandchild, niece or nephew step up? A family friend who you’d have been lost without? A young carer taking on extra responsibility? Tell us about your young heroes.

The idea for the awards came from a Year 9 group of Student Leaders at Greenwood Academy. The pupils will also be on the judging panel to decide on the winners.

The initiative is being led by Trev Evans, who is the Community Manager at Greenwood Academy, has lived on The Vale for most of his life and has worked at Greenwood Academy for 20 years. He explains the reason behind the awards:

We’re giving people an opportunity to show some love and gratitude for those who have stepped up and gone above and beyond. The idea is great for celebrating Castle Vale, recognising individuals, and spreading positivity at a time when we all have to pull together to get by.

I am also extremely proud of our pupils who came up with the initiative as part of our character development programme, where each year group develops an idea for a project to make a difference in the community.

You can enter the person/organisation for more than one category and the judges may move your nomination to a more relevant category if necessary.

Follow the link to submit your nomination now: https://forms.gle/yMsp2D2K14cAfzrB7.

Winners may be asked to take part in some publicity, though there is no obligation.