Nominations for the 2026 volunteer recognition awards will open on Monday 1 June and close on 5 July.
It is so important to us to celebrate the great, often unique, work that our volunteers do. These awards, sponsored by SimpliSafe, recognise individuals whose work goes above and beyond - making a real change in their communities.
We received over 385 nominations last year, so it was a very difficult task to choose the finalists. We have 5 categories, these are:
Innovation and reach
Crime prevention
Community health and wellbeing
Young volunteer award
Special recognition award
Innovation and Reach
Strengthening community connections. Do you know a Coordinator or Neighbourhood Watch group who have:
- Overcome challenges to grow their group?
- Thought of a unique way to connect with others
- Created effective new partnerships.
- Considered an innovative way to encourage new members to join or ensure diversity and inclusion shine through.
- Are there people in the group that traditionally would not have joined but did because the group or person helped them feel included?
Crime prevention
Watching out for one another and demonstrating positive actions. Do you know of a Coordinator or Neighbourhood Watch group who have done something different to help prevent crime?
- Do people feel safer from something they were involved in and want to recognise the Coordinator or group for their actions?
- Are there examples of how working with partners helped prevent crime?
- Has the Coordinator or group raised awareness of crimes in different ways to encourage the whole community to be involved?
This could include working with youth or faith groups, supporting vulnerable people to be more aware of crime, developing inventive ways to reduce crime in the community or fear of crime.
Community health and wellbeing
When we look out for one another, our community connection strengthens and supports us to do activities that bring us together. Let us know about a local Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator or group that:
- Supported their community to look after the environment (this could be arranging a community tidy up, litter pick, planting of communal areas, or anything that has made your community feel looked after)
- Has made you feel supported or demonstrated their care for more vulnerable people in our communities
- Held social events to bring the community together and encouraged positive community values and help you feel better about your area
- Are inclusive and include people of all ages, genders, disabilities, faiths, and ethnicities in activities, showing compassion, empathy, and kindness in what they do
Special recognition award
This category celebrates a Neighbourhood Watch volunteer who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in their neighbourhood or area, potentially over many years. Do you know a volunteer who has:
- Committed their time and efforts towards improving their area and the life of their community
- Demonstrated our values: friendly, trusted and active in their volunteering with Neighbourhood Watch
- Volunteered with Neighbourhood Watch but do not fall into the other award categories, for instance a Cyberhood Watch Ambassador, Association Lead, Membership Support Administrator (MSA)
Young volunteer award
Celebrating young volunteers, aged 16-24, who go the extra mile in their local communities, demonstrating our values and the importance of connection and action. Do you know a young person who:
- Has been volunteering with Neighbourhood Watch and making a positive impact in their community.
- Gives up their time to support their local community (foodbanks, community hubs and groups, homeless, faith groups)
- Held fundraising activities with their school or college or have organised litter picks or other local events.
- You think this young volunteer deserves to be recognised for their hard work and commitment to their community
Eligibility
All nominees must be Neighbourhood Watch volunteers with exception of the young person’s category.
How to nominate
Complete the online form - which will be available on this page on 1 June.