The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has brought the importance of community into sharper focus as individuals and groups go to extraordinary lengths to support their neighbourhoods.
We are celebrating the work of these unsung heroes as part of our drive to promote the positive things happening in our communities.
To run alongside our #LiveWestMakingADifference campaign, we are launching Community Stars which will recognise these extraordinary acts of kindness and steps being taken to improve our customers’ lives.
The Community Stars awards will run on a quarterly basis and will include two categories. One is open to individuals and the other to community groups. The awards will recognise the efforts being taken to benefit LiveWest’s communities.
You can nominate yourself or someone else you feel deserves special recognition.
It could be someone volunteering at foodbanks, providing shopping and medical deliveries for the most vulnerable, people fundraising for community causes or other gestures of kindness.
It might be someone leading on a community project or initiative or someone who gives up their time to enhance the lives of people in our neighbourhoods.
The submission could focus on a lifetime or more recent contribution to the environment or the wellbeing of others. It maybe an individual or group fundraising, setting up a project or encouraging community pride.
We will award our quarterly Community Star individual winners with a £50 Love to Shop voucher, while issuing £100 for the quarterly winners in the community groups section. The money can be used to develop the services they are providing for the community.
All nominations will be recognised on our website.
Leanda Flower, our Community Investment Manager, said: “The coronavirus pandemic is having a huge impact on everyday lives, with people having to change the way they live and work.
“We have been wowed by stories showing how our customers are going above and beyond to support each other during these exceptionally challenging times.
"Our MakingADifference campaign has already helped to celebrate some of the work of our special people and is showing that community spirit continues to thrive in the South West.
“It's truly inspiring to hear stories about how people across the region are helping their neighbours, friends, families and businesses, making such a big difference and bringing a smile to someone's face.
“We want to hear more of these stories, and we are encouraging people to nominate their community hero.”
Our customer InFocus group will be selecting the quarterly winners in both the individual and community groups categories. The first winners will be selected on Wednesday, 24 February.
Click here to nominate yourself or someone else for our Community Stars awards.