Luton's Best Awards

Luton’s Best Awards

The Luton’s Best Awards in partnership with Love Luton, celebrate the achievements of truly remarkable individuals and organisations who make Luton a better place. This year marks Love Luton’s 10^th Anniversary and the 11^th Luton’s Best awards.

This year is like no other seen before. COVID-19 has impacted on us all, but since the start of the pandemic, we have seen some of the most incredible acts of kindness and selflessness across our town and we believe that these should be celebrated. Our mission has always been to shine a light on the unsung heroes in our community and we don’t intend to let a pandemic prevent that. The health crisis has seen us all pull together and as such we have opened the nominations for the Luton’s Best awards to recognise all those outstanding individuals and organisations who have truly been exceptional in an unprecedented time.

Nominated by the public, the winners are from all walks of life, of all ages, and from all over the town. Their achievements are awe-inspiring and a lesson to us all. They say they are ordinary people, but quite their acts are truly extraordinary. This year, in the face of a global pandemic, we have seen this same selfless approach by so many including our key workers, neighbours, community organisations and many others. They have sacrificed and endured so much to care for us, keep our shop shelves stocked, keep us connected, keep us healthy and teach our children. They are more than deserving of our recognition and thanks.

Our winners come from hundreds of public nominations and stories of remarkable individuals and organisations. They are whittled down to a shortlist from which our judging panel, made up of sponsors who all have a stake in the future and success of our town.

Our nominees are honoured at the glittering Luton’s Best Awards ceremony which is normally held at the Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa. This year’s event is being provisionally booked for Friday 27^th November 2020. The health and wellbeing of our team, guests, sponsors, suppliers and inspirational nominees is paramount. We will be monitoring the advice and guidance coming from Government and make a decision on if we can bring people together this year or if we delay and bring our wonderful community and partners together, in person, and celebrate our 10^th anniversary and host our 11^th awards ceremony early in 2021.

2020 Award Categories

With special thanks to this year’s award category sponsors.

Young Achiever Award

This award will seek to recognise an outstanding effort and levels of achievement by a young person aged 20 or under, either in their school lives, work lives, in a sporting context or within the wider community.

Adult Achiever Award

This award will seek to recognise an individual over the age of 21 who continues to achieve great things at work, in their profession, through arts and culture, in the field of education, sport, or a hobby or pastime.

Community Company of the Year Award

This award is looking for an individual or team employed either in the public, private or voluntary sector that goes above and beyond. Their effort and enthusiasm should have a positive effect on the community. We are really keen to hear from organisations who have gone that extra mile to support the town during the pandemic.

Child of Courage Award

Judges will seek to recognise any young person up to the age of 18 who has put themselves in danger to help or save the life of another or has battled against the odds and has overcome adversity in their personal life or made a stand to improve the lot of themselves or others.

Care in the Community Award

This award is for an individual or group from either a professional or voluntary capacity. Those eligible include relatives (including children), friends, doctors, nurses or care workers who care for someone or a group of people. We are looking for an individual or group who have really gone that extra mile to care for our most vulnerable often showing incredible patience and understanding. Judges are looking for those who have cared for others sometimes over many years without giving thought to themselves.

Environmental Achievement Award

An award to an individual or organisation demonstrating a commitment to enhancing and protecting our environment or a heritage site, introducing environmentally sustainable products or services and, in doing so, make a contribution to Luton’s environment or conservation areas. Examples could include an environmental community project; a school initiative involving children and parents or improving a conservation area to kick-start regeneration.

Best Volunteer Award

This award will recognise a volunteer(s) of any age who has made an outstanding contribution through giving up their own time to volunteer to help others, charities or initiatives across the town. We ask that entries are for individuals still active in their role but you can list all activities they have taken part in prior to 2016/2017.

Community Businessperson of the Year Award

An individual of any age working for an organisation or studying in the town who has shown a commitment and involvement with the local community and can demonstrate excellence in business which in turn enhances the image of the business community and Luton, locally or on a wider scale or someone who has provided superior service to the community. We are keen to hear from individuals who have supported the town during the pandemic.

Sporting Inspiration Award

We are looking for an individual over the age of 18 who is a true sporting inspiration who has either excelled at their sport and/or helped others and is a positive role model. The entry should include: A sports man or woman who has excelled in their chosen sport, rankings and achievements made during the eligibility period must be given, have demonstrated considerable commitment, are an inspiration and positive role model to others, have used their achievements and experiences to make a positive impact on their community and/or club and special qualities that set them apart from others.

The People's Choice Award

The readers of the Luton News and Herald & Post will have the opportunity to pick the winner they feel is most deserving. On the week of 14th October the newspaper will announce the shortlisted candidates. You will have until Thursday 21st November to pick your worthy winner.

Luton's Most Outstanding Citizen for 2020 Award

This award seeks to recognise an outstanding citizen of any age group or walk of life who has excelled or gone above and beyond in 2020. For example this person could be a member of the business or community sector and anyone who has benefited the people of Luton. This could be in a professional capacity, volunteering or local charity work. It could be a neighbour a relative or anyone who, in your view, typifies the very best of Luton and in particular during the pandemic. This will be a highly contested award that seeks to recognise Luton’s Most Outstanding Citizen in 2020.

Lifetime Achievement Award

To recognise an individual whose achievements have been far-reaching in the community. Examples can include a volunteer who has given up their time for many years, a local carer or a business person who has given many years to improving the lives of people in Luton.

Keeping Luton Safe Award

The judges will be looking for individual members of the public or groups who have put themselves at risk and acted with bravery and courage to help save the life or protect the well being of another. This could include tackling crime, disorder or anti social behaviour. Another example could include individuals or groups which have made a positive community contribution in terms of improving the environment they live or work which improves the safety of others.

Best Fundraiser Award

This award will recognise a tireless charity fundraiser(s) of any age who has made an outstanding contribution either through their fundraising initiatives, voluntary work or other support. We ask that entries are for individuals still active in their role but you can list all activities they have taken part in prior to 2017/2018.

Luton in Harmony Award

An individual or organisation who has proactively promoted community cohesion and celebrated diversity in the town through their initiatives which have helped to improve the public image of Luton.

Key worker of the year Award

This award is open to key workers living or working in Luton, from bus drivers and supermarket workers, to delivery drivers and teachers. Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have seen some of the most incredible acts of kindness and selflessness across our town and we believe that these should be celebrated. Our mission is to shine a light on the unsung heroes in our community. We want to hear from you on the difference this individual has made during the health crisis.

Additional Sponsors

With thanks to our partners who are supporting this year’s event by sponsoring other aspects of the evening:

Entertainment

Auction & Raffle

Champagne

Award Prize

Treacle Factory, Think. Design. Print. Digital.

Chocolates