Preparations for the Suffolk HOPE awards are well under way and organisers are urging schools to nominate young people who are making a positive contribution in our county. This third awards event was launched by Suffolk Constabulary during National Hate Crime Awareness Week (NHCA) and aims to recognise and celebrate the positive contributions that young people make within the county. Nominations are welcome for any young person aged between 11 and 18 years-old who has gone above and beyond and continued to demonstrate resilience, determination and team-working during 2021/2022. The awards are supported by Suffolk County Council, East Anglian Daily Times/Ipswich Star, BBC Radio Suffolk, Suffolk High Sheriff’s Office and Suffolk Community Safety Partnerships. Nominations are open until Friday 24th February 2023 but organisers urge people not to wait until the last minute.
The Hope Awards categories are:
Diversity / inclusivity – Where a group or individual has promoted diversity, taken a stand to prevent/stop discrimination, undertaken activity to help challenge a negative mindset and affect positive change. They strive to motivate change and educate, raising awareness of how as an inclusive community we can promote equality.
Respect and Kindness – Kindness is often an underestimated attribute; we look to recognise actions (both large and small) which demonstrate compassion and an understanding of another’s struggles. In showing respect, we show a regard for the feelings, wishes and rights of others.
Teamwork – Teamwork is a skill we carry forward from school to higher education, work and the rest of our lives. By working as a team, we acknowledge the benefits of sharing our ideas and experiences and finding a common approach to solve an issue. By standing together we can see the impact we have.
Determination – The HOPE Awards look to tackle, highlight and discuss important topics, some not always easy to find the confidence to take on. We are looking to celebrate and recognise the determination and resilience of our young people and reward their positive attitude to finding solutions or helping each other and their community.
Once the nominations have been submitted, they will all be assessed, and the judging panel will meet in March to choose the winner in each of the four categories and one overall HOPE winner. The awards will be presented to the successful candidates in April. For the full criteria and to submit an entry via the online application form, visit: APPLY HERE
Alternatively, a form can be requested by emailing Schools
If you have any questions please get in touch by emailing Hannah Creasey or Stuart Curtis
Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “Celebrating achievement is important to us all. There is so much good work being done by young people right across the county and sadly this often goes unnoticed. The Suffolk HOPE awards are a fantastic opportunity for us to herald some of the outstanding young people we know and admire. If you know someone who deserves recognition please nominate the so we can all celebrate the positive contributions they make.”
Inspector Kirsty Graefe, from Suffolk Constabulary, said: “We had a great response from the local community to the awards last year and we want to hear about even more amazing young people this time around.”
A full list of the winners of last year’s event can be found here
Further information and frequently asked questions are available here
Latest news and updates regarding the Suffolk HOPE Awards will be promoted on Suffolk Constabulary’s social media accounts using the hashtags #NohateinSuffolk #HopeAwardsSuffolk
- Screen Colours:
- Normal
- Black & Yellow