EVERY day, throughout East Ayrshire, selfless individuals and community and voluntary groups are quietly working to better the lives of all who live here.

In recognition of the remarkable work carried out locally, the Community Planning Partnership Awards 2015 will applaud the hard work and dedication of our local heroes.

And East Ayrshire Council need your help to identify the groups and individuals, who are making a real difference to the lives of others.

People like Babs Wade from Catrine who won the Good Neighbour Award at the last award ceremony in 2013 and the New Farm Loch @40 committee who were recognised for the excellent work they carried out within their community in 2009.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Chair of the Community Planning Partnership and Leader of the Council said: “Community Planning Partners have hosted three previous Awards Ceremonies. We were overwhelmed by the quality of the nominations received and honoured to be able to meet and celebrate the achievements of the shortlisted finalists and winners. We look forward to once again receiving many nominations in each of our five categories and honouring the winners at the Awards Ceremony in April 2015.” Award categories include: Economy and Skills Award The Economy and Skills Award seeks to recognise groups whose work encourages education and skills attainment and achievement, increasing the skills base of the local workforce and ensuring that East Ayrshire residents are properly prepared for the world of work. Individuals who have excelled in training, education or with the help of start-up grants, and progressed into employment, apprenticeships, further education or as business owners can also be nominated. Nominations in this category can also be made for groups or individuals involved in promoting economic and community regeneration and protecting and sustaining our environment.

Community Safety Award This award seeks to recognise those groups or individuals whose activities help to tackle crime, disorder or anti-social behaviour and as such contribute to improving community safety in neighbourhoods and homes, and protecting our most vulnerable individuals and families.

Wellbeing Award Wellbeing Award nominations recognise groups or individuals whose activities contribute to improving physical and mental health, wellbeing and care, and reducing health inequalities. Groups or individuals involved in leisure and cultural activities will also be considered in the Wellbeing Award category.

Community Champion Award A Community Champion is someone within your community who has made a difference by supporting others to make their lives better, campaigning for better services; or been instrumental in helping to establish a community event, local festival, fair or gala day.

Community Planning Partnership Award The winner of the Community Planning Partnership Award will be chosen by the Chair of the Community Planning Partnership from the nominees in the four other award categories and will be awarded to the individual or group which has delivered on one or more of the key priorities within the Community Plan and/or has made a particularly significant positive impact on the lives of individuals or communities.

Nomination forms can be found online at www.eastayrshirecommunityplan.org/planAwards.asp and at your local library or local council hub office. Alternatively, you can contact the Policy, Planning and Performance Division on 01563 576075.

The deadline for nominations is Friday 28 November 2014.