Derby Voluntary Sector Awards 2026: Nominations are now open!

Nominations are now open for the Derby Voluntary Sector Awards 2026, an annual event celebrating the incredible individuals, charities and community groups making a real difference across the city.

The awards are organised by Community Action Derby, with support from Derby Homes, and recognise the people and organisations who give their time, energy and dedication to supporting Derby’s communities.

Do you know an amazing volunteer, community champion, charity, group, club or local initiative making a real difference in Derby? Now’s your chance to recognise them!

Winners will be invited to attend a special awards ceremony during Volunteers’ Week in June, where their achievements will be celebrated. Every nominee will also receive a certificate to acknowledge their contribution and thank them for their hard work.

Kim Harper, CEO of Community Action Derby, said:

“We’re delighted that nominations are now open for the 2026 Derby Voluntary Sector Awards. Across the city there are so many inspirational people and fantastic organisations supporting our communities and making a real difference in Derby.

These awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible work happening across Derby’s voluntary sector. We encourage everyone to take a moment to nominate someone who deserves recognition for the difference they are making.”

There are 14 award categories recognising different types of volunteering and community activity across the city. These include:

• Community Champion Award – For someone who works tirelessly for their community and helps make it a better place.
• Sporting Award – For an individual, group or club that is an asset to Derby’s sporting world.
• Arts, Culture & Heritage Award – Presented to an individual, group or organisation that brings creativity, culture or heritage to life in Derby.
• Young Volunteer Awards – Awarded to two young people aged between 5 and 24 who have made an impact through volunteering.
• Trustee of the Year Award – Given to a trustee who has made an exceptional contribution to their charity or community group.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award – Recognising individuals, groups or organisations helping to make Derby a fairer and more inclusive place.
• Health and Wellbeing Award – For an individual, group or organisation that has gone above and beyond to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Derby.
• Community Space Award – For an initiative that has created a welcoming space where people can connect, belong and thrive.

Additional categories recognise contributions in areas such as youth work, environmental projects, supporting new arrivals to the city, and long-term commitment to volunteering.

Baby J, Founder of local music and arts organisation Baby People, a previous Derby Voluntary Sector Awards winner, said:

“It’s an amazing thing when your work is recognised. Our team put so much into what we do, so for someone to recognise that our work is important and makes a difference in the city really means a lot.

Winning a Derby Voluntary Sector Award has been really good for us, and I’d really encourage people to nominate individuals and organisations doing great work in Derby’s voluntary sector to make sure that their work can be recognised as well.”

Nominations are open now - the deadline has been extended until Monday 13 April 2026