The Herald Society Awards was created to highlight the outstanding, but often unsung, work carried out by individuals and organisations to improve the lives of people across Scotland.

In association with the Big Lottery Fund, it has already attracted support from a wide range of backers and now has another sponsor on board.

Employers in Voluntary Housing (EVH) is the only employers' association in the voluntary housing movement in Britain. From its beginnings in Glasgow it now has 170 current member organisations EVH is the new sponsor of the Campaign of the Year category in The Herald Society Awards 2008 and EVH director Foster Evans said: "In our 30th year EVH is delighted to celebrate our success to date and to sponsor the Campaign Award, which recognises excellent communications, an essential component for any good employer."

They join sponsors such as the Institute of Health Management (IHM) Scotland, which is the leading professional body for healthcare managers in the country and is backing the Outstanding Public Service Worker of the Year award.

Malcolm Wright is chair of IHM Scotland and a chief executive within NHS Scotland. He said: "We are delighted to support the Outstanding Public Service Worker of the Year award. In doing so, we look forward to not only bringing much-deserved recognition to someone who has made a real difference to people's lives, but also to further highlighting the profile, professionalism and extremely high quality practice of management throughout Scotland's health services."

A team of judges will select the best entries in a range of the categories (see above) and readers will also have the chance to give their verdict on shortlisted entries via The Herald website.

Once the winners of these are known, an overall Herald Society Champion will be selected from among them. Winners will be announced at a prestigious gala reception and award ceremony in November.