If residents know someone they think deserves recognition, the council is calling on them to nominate this week.

There are seven categories with specific criteria from good neighbours to customer service champions.

Entries will be reviewed by a judging panel made up of tenants, councillors, council officers and stakeholders.

If a nomination is shortlisted, the council will notify the nominee in December 2013 and they and the person nominated will be invited to an awards ceremony on Thursday 23 January 2014 where the winners will be announced. The winners will receive an award at a the ceremony.

Councillor Ian Wingfield, cabinet member for housing, said, “I know there are hundreds of people in Southwark who do an amazing amount of hard work for their neighbours, communities and local environment.

“I would love to be able to recognise that hard work and commitment to making Southwark a great place to live by giving them a ‘Heroes’ award. I urge people to come forward and nominate the people who make a positive difference to their lives.”

Award categories

Neighbour of the year
An outstanding individual or group that has done something to make a positive change in your local neighbourhood or community in the past year.

Best community initiative
An innovative project or initiative that has helped your local community come together and make life better in your community in the past year.

Young community hero
An outstanding young person (under 18 years of age) who has done something to make a positive change in your local neighbourhood or community in the past year.

Customer service of the year
A member of Southwark Council staff or one of its contractors who has delivered excellent customer service to you, your family, neighbourhood or community in the past year.

Good landlord
A landlord (public or private) who has provided exceptional service to their tenants in the past year. Landlords, you can also tell us how good you are.

Tenant and Resident Association (TRA)
An outstanding TRA that has worked to make a positive change to your local neighbourhood or community through your local TRA in the past year.

Lifetime achievement
An outstanding individual who has worked to make a positive change to your local neighbourhood or community over many years.

There is also an award for outstanding achievement. The judges will select the winner from the winners of each categories.

Overall winner for outstanding achievement
A winner who, in the judging panel’s opinion, deserves further recognition for outstanding and innovative achievement, which has benefited others.

Eligibility

1. Nominations are open to anyone who lives in Southwark
2. Nominees for the neighbour of the year, best community initiative, young community hero and the lifetime achievement categories must be Southwark Council tenants or leaseholders
3. Nominees for customer service of the year must be employed by Southwark Council or one of its contractors
4. Nominees for the good landlord award must rent out properties in Southwark

How to enter

Please complete the entry form and return to:
FREEPOST RSCE-TGHU-CUZB
Southwark Council
Robert Johnson
Housing Services (3/5)
160 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2QH

or email it to robert.johnson@southwark.gov.uk

You can also visit www.southwark.gov.uk/housingheroes to enter.

The entry deadline is Friday 29 November 2013.