If you know somebody who deserves to be recognised for their compassionate work throughout the pandemic, nominations for the Kent Messenger backed Compassionate Community Awards 2020 are open.

Designed to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond, the awards are a collaboration between the Heart of Kent Hospice and Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) created to say thank you to the community’s unsung heroes.

It comes as part of long-held plans for the borough to be recognised as ‘Compassionate Maidstone’ in line with the Compassionate Cities Charter.

This is an initiative looking for places that support and celebrate care during life’s most testing moments.

Sarah Pugh, chief executive at the Heart of Kent Hospice explains: “It’s been an ambition we’ve had for a long time and Covid-19 has really demonstrated the amazing compassion that exists in Maidstone.

“It has brought up all the elements and all the things we were wanting to talk about with ‘Compassionate Maidstone’ so the awards seem like the great opportunity to start it all. With the Kent Messenger as media partner, we want as many people as possible to share their stories with us, so that we can publicly say thank you.”

There are six categories each with awards up for grabs for people who have a connection to Maidstone.

1. Compassionate workplace/business

This is for a company which went out of its way to support its colleagues and customers by adapting services to meet the needs of others.

2. Compassionate Care/Residential Home

Homes that have gone above and beyond, or out of their normal ways of working, to maintain the wellbeing of the residents; particularly when they couldn’t see their loved ones and have visitors.

3. Compassionate Neighbour/Volunteer

Covid-19 has really demonstrated the amazing compassion that exists in Maidstone.

Someone who has made a significant impact on their community by responding to the needs of their neighbourhood.

4. Compassionate School / Teacher

This will award those who adapted traditional ways of working to help students maintain a sense of normality

5. Compassionate young person

Anyone under 18 who has made a significant impact on their community, to help and support others can be nominated.

6. Compassionate Community

A community, parish or large group who have come together to provide a service or project to others, who have tackled issues such as loneliness and social isolation, or worked on a scheme which created community involvement.

Winners will be judged by Mrs Pugh, Alison Broom, Maidstone council’s chief executive and KM editor Denise Eaton.

Nominations for all categories can be a written submission of no more than 250 words describing the nominees work, or send a short video or audio clip.

Pictures that reflect their work are also encouraged to be attached.

Click here to fill in the nomination form or alternatively email compassionateawards@maidstone.gov.uk

All nominations must be received by 5pm on Friday, September 25.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone