History
The #OneSlough Awards celebrate the achievements of local voluntary and community groups, volunteers and statutory and business partnerships in Slough.
The #OneSlough initiative was created at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Bringing together, the voluntary, and business sectors and faith communities, with Slough Borough Council, resources and skills were combined, to deliver essential services to Slough residents.
#OneSlough is led by Slough Council for Voluntary Service (Charity No. 1069086). The Charity has been running a celebratory event for volunteers and the sector since 2012.
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FAQ’s
Who are the awards for?
The awards are a way of acknowledging those in the community who have contributed most to improve the lives of the people of Slough in 2024/25
The deadline date for nominations is midday, Friday 18th July 2025.
Who can nominate?
Anyone who lives, works or studies in Slough can nominate. Please gain permission before nominating an individual, group or business
Can I make more than one nomination?
You may make more than one nomination.
Can I nominate my own group and/or volunteers?
Yes. Circulate it to your members, volunteers and clients and ask them to nominate you too.
How do I nominate?
To nominate for any award please complete the on-line Nomination Form at https://voluntarysectorawards.org.uk/nominate/
Can I submit a short video highlighting my nominee’s impact and achievements?
Yes
What information should I include in my video submission?
Please include the following answers in your video submission.
- Who are the beneficiaries s/he/they have regularly helped (eg individuals, organisations, groups)?
- Describe the activities the individual or group does and how often, including an indication of time commitment.
- How does the community or individual benefit from what s/he/they do?
- What has s/he/they gained personally from this volunteering activity?
- Why should this person or group be recognised for their voluntary activity?
Video Consent
The video may be edited, copied, exhibited, and distributed in e-newsletters, media and social media and I waive the right to inspect or approve the final product. I acknowledge that participation is voluntary, and I may withdraw my consent at any time by contacting communications@sloughcvs.org.uk
What happens after I have submitted my nomination?
Once you have submitted the form, you will receive an on-line confirmation of receipt.
Your nomination will then be considered by the awards panel who will be judging on activities taken place in 2024-25. All shortlisted nominations will be acknowledged in Slough CVS publications. The nominee will be notified if they have been shortlisted.The presentation of the Awards will take place at the Celebration Dinner & Dance on Friday 14 November.
AWARDS CRITERIA
Business Community Impact Award
This award recognises a business that has made a meaningful community impact through partnerships, volunteering, and support for local initiatives.
Some examples follow:
Corporate Employees
• Team volunteering days (e.g., helping at food banks, community clean-ups).
• HR teams supporting employability workshops (mock interviews, CV writing) for local young people.
• Marketing teams helping charities develop social media campaigns or fundraising promotions.
• Dedicated corporate social responsibility teams organising green initiatives like tree planting, recycling drives, or eco-awareness days.
• Coordinators leading partnerships with local charities or schools for long-term community projects.
Skilled Tradespeople or Technicians
• Construction staff volunteering time and skills to help refurbish community centres, schools, or charity buildings.
• Maintenance teams providing free repairs for vulnerable residents or groups.
Retail, Catering, and Service Staff
• Supermarket staff helping run food donation drives or community cooking classes.
• Restaurant employees volunteering to prepare meals for homeless shelters or community events.
Leadership and Management
• Senior managers or directors mentoring local young entrepreneurs or supporting charity boards.
• Business leaders providing pro-bono consultancy to small charities or community groups.
Volunteer of the Year (5 Awards in this category – please select one when nominating)
Starting Well
(Volunteers who support children, young people, and families.)
Eg. Volunteers supporting:
• Schools (classroom helpers, reading buddies, parent support volunteers)
• Youth clubs (e.g., Scouts, Guides, cadet groups, youth mentoring projects)
• Children’s centres and nurseries
• Sports teams and activity clubs for young people
• Family outreach charities and early years support services
• Community hubs that run homework clubs, creative workshops, or youth cafés
Living Well
(Volunteers helping promote healthy, inclusive, and connected communities.)
Eg. Volunteers supporting:
• Mental health charities (peer support, befriending volunteers)
• Cultural associations or community centres
• Food banks, soup kitchens, and community pantries
• Faith-based organisations (churches, mosques, temples, gurdwaras — running food, social, and support programs)
• LGBTQ+ support groups and inclusion networks
• Refugee and migrant support groups
• Environmental and sustainability groups (local clean-ups, wildlife conservation)
Aging Well
(Volunteers enhancing the lives of older adults.)
Eg. Volunteers supporting:
• Age-related charities
• Care homes and sheltered housing communities
• Befriending services for isolated or housebound elderly people
• Day centres or lunch clubs for seniors
• Digital inclusion schemes helping older people learn new tech skills
• Exercise or social activity groups aimed at older adults (e.g., walking clubs, tai chi, chair yoga)
Public Sector Partnerships Awards
This Award is for public sector workers to recognise a Charity/Group that they have referred to most/made a big impact to their work.
(a) SBC
(b) NHS
(c) Thames Valley Police
(d) RBFRS
Group of the Year (5 Awards in this category – please select one when nominating)
New Group Award
(Recognising emerging groups established within the past three years that have served the community.)
Examples of groups:
• A grassroots environmental clean-up collective focused on local parks.
• A start-up community arts group providing creative workshops.
• A new mental health peer-support circle offering safe spaces for open discussion.
• A group formed to improve their neighbourhood through community events and advocacy.
Best Impact Project
(For established groups (3+ years) that delivered a significant project in 2024/25.)
Examples of groups:
• An existing charity that launched a new service that supports local residents.
• An established refugee support group that expanded to offer additional services.
• A community sports club that delivered an inclusive programme for young people with additional needs.
• A cultural association that organised a heritage festival bringing different communities together in Slough.
Excellence in Digital Media
(Celebrating groups that have used digital media innovatively in 2024/25 to enhance lives.)
Examples of groups:
• A mental health charity that launched an app offering mindfulness resources and peer support.
• A local history group that created an online archive of Slough’s hidden stories and oral histories.
• A community theatre group that produced virtual performances and livestreamed interactive shows.
• An environmental group that built a digital reporting tool for residents to log littering or fly-tipping.
• A youth organisation that ran a social media campaign promoting mental health awareness among teens.
Voluntary Sector Partnership Award
(Recognising two or more voluntary organisations that collaborated on a project to enrich lives.)
Examples of partnerships:
• A food distribution partnership between a local church, a foodbank, and a homelessness charity.
• An arts charity and a youth service teaming up to offer creative therapy for young people affected by mental health challenges.
• Two cultural organisations collaborating on a diversity and inclusion community event.
• A sports club and an elderly care charity working together to offer low-impact fitness classes for older adults.
• Environmental and mental health groups co-developing a “green prescription” nature-wellbeing program.
Arts & Culture Award
(Celebrating those that make a positive impact in Slough through creativity, heritage, and cultural inclusion.)
Examples of groups:
• Local theatre companies involving community actors or youth
• Drama or performance groups offering accessible productions for underserved groups
• Community mural projects or public art initiatives
• Groups promoting therapeutic or wellbeing-focused visual art activities
• Community choirs, bands, or orchestras
• Groups that preserve and share traditional music or cultural heritage
• Volunteer-led museums or cultural learning centres
• Groups running intergenerational heritage or language projects
• Arts programmes celebrating and amplifying voices of minoritised communities
• Parent-child cultural activity groups or workshops
Young Volunteer of the Year Award
(Recognising a young person – aged between 11-19 (to 25 with SEND) who has made a positive contribution to Slough through volunteering. They may have developed in a person capacity, been keen to learn new skills, or shown particular enthusiasm for their role.)
