Nominations are now open to recognise the efforts of people in Nottingham who strive to improve the health and wellbeing of others.
The Michael Varnam Awards 2018 will particularly champion those who work tirelessly in the city’s more disadvantaged communities.
They are organised jointly by Nottingham City Council, Nottingham City Health and Wellbeing Board, NHS Nottingham City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), One Nottingham and the Youth Parliament.
The awards take their name from former Sneinton GP Dr Michael Varnam who dedicated 35 years to helping people in Nottingham, particularly residents and families in deprived areas. He died in 2006, aged 61.
Nominations are invited in two categories – individual and group – and are open until 14 September 2018.
Councillor Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health at Nottingham City Council and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “There is so much good work that goes on in our neighbourhoods and our communities – work that makes a huge difference to the lives of those in need.
“So often, this help is given without fuss and without recognition, so we feel it is important that we take this opportunity to highlight some of the amazing people who go the extra mile to improve lives.
“If you know a person, or a group of people, who go the extra mile to make life better and improve health and wellbeing then please take a moment to nominate them.”
A judging panel consisting of representatives from the CCG, Health and Wellbeing Board, One Nottingham and Youth Parliament, plus the city’s Director of Public Health, Alison Challenger, will decide the winner and runner-up.
Alison Challenger said: “Michael Varnam dedicated more than three decades of his life to helping people and families from areas of the city that face the biggest challenges. These awards recognise the efforts and dedication of others like him, who give up so much of their time to make other people’s lives better.”
Re-launched in 2016, previous individual and group winners are:
- Louise Detain, a foster carer who is heavily involved with a number of community projects including a children’s choir and a support group for people affected by domestic violence
- Nottinghamshire Deaf Wellbeing Action Group which provides practical help and campaigns for rights of the deaf community, and educates people in British Sign Language
- Tracy Dickinson Wheeldon, who started up Tracy’s Street Kitchen to feed the homeless in Nottingham
- Members of Bulwell Forest Garden, a community project formed by neighbours who wanted to improve a patch of land that had been unused for many years.
People can nominate themselves, an individual or group within health, social care, voluntary, community or business sectors for a special contribution over the past year. Visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/publichealth