TODAY we are delighted to launch the 2019 Herald Society Awards in association with Wheatley Group.

The awards will highlight the best achievements and most innovative approaches across the public and third sectors throughout Scotland.

The Herald Society Awards have been running for 12 years, and this year the awards are supported by Wheatley Group and evh.

Each year, an expert panel of judges helps us to assess the most dedicated workers and teams. They also look at the projects with the biggest impact and the most imaginative ideas at work to tackle social problems, meet health needs and promote learning among young and old alike.

With 12 categories to choose from, no other awards cover the full scope of Scotland’s public and voluntary sector in fields such as health, education, social services and charities.

In this, our 12th year, we are delighted to be back to celebrate those who go the extra mile. This year’s entry deadline is Wednesday, September 11, 2019.

The awards are a great celebration of the hard work towards Scotland’s third and public sectors, as well as a chance to meet and mingle with the people responsible for Scotland’s most inspiring social initiatives.

The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow.

Wheatley Foundation chairman Sir Harry Burns, said: “At Wheatley our mission is ‘Making Homes and Lives Better’ for the hundreds of thousands of people we work for across Scotland.”

“For us, that means working closely with a range of partners – collaborating, sharing knowledge and developing new solutions that make a difference to communities.

“We see up close lots of examples, many of them both inspiring and innovative, of people and organisations whose work is changing people’s lives for the better. “They deserve to be recognised and celebrated and that is why we are proud to support The Herald Society Awards this year.”

Eamonn Connolly, director, evh said: “Once again, we are delighted to be associated with these prestigious awards, which celebrate those wonderful people and instructions which give selflessly for the betterment of their fellow citizens.”

To enter please visit here. Entering is free and you can enter multiple categories. For more information on this event, please contact Stephen Downie, Events Executive on 0141 302 6014 or Stephen.downie@newsquest.co.uk.

The Herald Society Awards 2019 Categories

Education Initiative of the Year

This award will recognise innovative and inspiring work which can demonstrate tangible benefits for learners both in and outside the classroom.

Young People’s Project of the Year (Aged 16-24) sponsored by Wheatley Group

Our judges are on the lookout for a team or initiative working with young people which has achieved results that others haven’t managed, perhaps through creative or imaginative approaches.

Campaigner(s) of the Year

To be considered for this award, you will be a group or individual who is currently working or worked towards making a positive difference to the public or voluntary sector e.g. to improve services, widen access or reduce inequality.

Herald Society Team of the Year sponsored by Wheatley Group

This category will reward a team, department or partnerships whose public service values, outstanding drive and commitment has made a difference in improving the lives of people in Scotland.

Unsung Hero Award sponsored by evh

This award will be given to the individual who in the judge’s opinion best fits the definition of “unsung” hero. Nominations can be for members of the community, or people working in the public voluntary sector in Scotland.

Community Project of the Year

This award will reward community projects which enrich the local community and put control in the hands of their communities and enable ordinary people to take the lead in changing their local circumstances.

Older People’s Project of the Year (Over the age of 65)

If you are working to improve the lives or lifestyles of older people, then we want to hear from you. This accolade will be awarded to a team or initiative that has achieved results that others haven’t managed, perhaps through unusually creative or imaginative approaches.

Partnership Award

This award will recognise an outstanding example of collaboration in the public and voluntary sector. Entries should describe potential partnership work which can really demonstrate the benefits of such an approach for communities or service users.

Health and Social Care Integration Award

This award category recognises the best examples of innovation and effectiveness in meeting the Government’s health and social care integration agenda.

Herald Society Worker of the Year

For this category we are looking for an individual whose outstanding drive and commitment has made a difference in improving the lives of people in Scotland.

Social Entrepreneur of the Year

This award will recognise entrepreneurial individuals who have set up and run a business driven by social aims and objectives. Judges will be looking for individuals with a passion for bringing about change with the leadership skills to do so and a business with clear goals and a robust model, which provides a positive response to an identified issue or need.

Improving Young Peoples Lives’ Award

This category has been created to reward those initiatives, projects or services that have helped improve the lives of young people within the community. With a focus on changes in practice, this category will pay attention to how deliberate, systematic approaches to improvement have enabled young people of all ages to thrive in the communities which they live.