Nominations open for the ‘Above and Beyond’ Awards

Interlink RCT is running a competition to find community groups or organisations that have gone above and beyond in the pandemic for RCT. The nominee with the most votes will receive £1000, with second place taking £500 and third getting £250. Winners will also be featured in promotional activity in Volunteers Week in the first week of June. Nominations can be made via a short, simple form available on Interlink RCT’s website throughout April, with voting taking place on ConnectRCT.org.uk in May.

The prize money can be spent on anything furthering the group or organisation’s aims. Winners will be announced during Volunteers Week between 1st to 6th June.

During the pandemic, community groups and organisations went above and beyond in all sorts of ways. Their people picked up prescriptions, walked dogs, delivered food, befriended anyone lonely, provided mental health support, entertained people, and much more. They may have volunteered over many hours, or have been forced to be exceptionally resourceful with whatever they had. In spite of difficulties caused by the pandemic, they achieved sterling work for Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Pauline Richards, Chairperson of Interlink RCT, said:

“What volunteers, community and voluntary organisations in RCT managed to achieve during the pandemic to keep people, safe, fed and connected was immeasurable. It has been such a privilege to work with so many committed local people and group. In our small way, we aim to recognise their incredible efforts.”

Anyone can nominate, but nominees must:

· be a community or voluntary group or organisation based in RCT

· have a profile on Connect RCT

· have gone ‘above and beyond’ in the pandemic (January 2020 onwards)

Nominees will be announced on 4th May when the poll is unveiled on Connect RCT. At that point, members of Connect RCT will be able to vote for everyone nominated in a poll on the site.

You can ask for a paper version of the form to be sent to you by phoning 01443 846200.