A scheme created during the pandemic to celebrate unsung heroes is back again for its third year.

The Compassionate Community Awards, a collaboration by the Heart of Kent Hospice and Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), and supported by the Kent Messenger, aim to thank those who have gone above and beyond to help others.

The scheme has been introduced to highlight and celebrate the positive and selfless work that individuals, community groups and organisations have done to help and support their community.

Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid is lead member for communities and public engagement at MBC and will be one of the judges.

She said: “If you get people to buy into their communities, it creates a sense of pride in their village.

“It automatically makes people more caring – for example, someone might be more likely to pick litter up.

“You will probably find that most of the people who have done the work, are the ones who are least expected to be recognised, because they are just by their nature incredibly selfless, generous and giving people.

“Maidstone and our borough is a lovely place to be, but sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the negativity.”

There are prizes across six categories open for people to nominate one another for.

These categories include those who have demonstrated compassion in the workplace and business; care and residential homes; schools; and in communities.

There will also be awards for acts of kindness by neighbours or volunteers and by young people under 18.

Rachel Street, chief executive at the Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford, commented: “This is the third year we have run the awards, and it is part of some work we have been doing with Maidstone Borough Council about promoting Maidstone as a compassionate area.

“People look out for one another because it is an important part of humanity and our culture."

“Some of the stories we heard nationally and locally about how people came together to support each another through the pandemic needed recognising, rewarding and celebrating.

“People look out for one another because it is an important part of humanity and our culture.

“It feels brilliant to be doing the awards again, we started it in 2020 and are delighted that there is enough enthusiasm and commitment to doing it again in 2022.”

She added: “Although the pandemic may be over, I think the world has changed and people are still struggling with lots of things in their lives – the cost of living crisis is putting a huge amount of pressure on people.

“I think that the sense of compassion and community that we saw in the pandemic is continuing, and we want to encourage it to continue and celebrate it.”

Entries are now open and close at midnight on Wednesday, October 5.

To nominate an individual, group or organisation, in no more than 250 words, send in some examples of how they have demonstrated compassion, along with pictures, if possible.

Or you can send a three minute video or voice recording telling us how they have supported their community. They must either live or work, or have a connection to the borough.

To find out more, and to nominate a group or individual click here.

The winners will be announced and awards presented on Tuesday, November 1, at Maidstone Town Hall.