Welcome to the ELCH Awards 2025
Celebrating Six Years of Community Excellence
We are excited to launch the seventh annual East London Community Heroes Awards, a testament to the enduring spirit and impact of East London community. Each year, these awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable individuals, charities, and community groups dedicated to enhancing our local area. Their relentless efforts help forge stronger, safer, and more connected communities across East London.
Honouring Our Unsung Heroes
In the heart of East London, every day, countless individuals and organizations invest their time and energy to uplift those around them. The East London Community Heroes Awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate the tireless commitment of these unsung heroes. Whether it’s an individual going the extra mile to help neighbours or organizations providing essential services, these awards provide a platform to honour and celebrate the very best among us.
A Commitment to Diversity and Impact
Our commitment goes beyond recognition; it’s about celebrating the diversity and resilience of East London. We aim to showcase the inspiring work being carried out by people from all walks of life, highlighting how they make a significant positive impact on the lives of others. The East London Community Heroes Awards are not just awards; they are a celebration of the spirit of community and a showcase of the real-life impact made by these incredible individuals and groups.
Join us in celebrating the spirit of East London, as we honour those who make it a better place for everyone.
Ethos of the East London Community Heroes Awards
At the heart of the East London Community Heroes Awards lies a commitment to nurturing a vibrant, proactive community through the power of collective action and mutual support. Our ethos is built around the following key pillars:.
Encouraging Social Action:
We believe in the power of hands-on involvement. The awards celebrate and support those who step forward to make a difference, fostering an environment where taking initiative for the common good becomes the norm, not the exception.
Identifying and Growing High-Impact Projects:
Our goal is to spotlight and escalate the reach of projects that have a significant positive impact on the community. By identifying these initiatives and assisting in their fundraising efforts, we help amplify their effectiveness and ensure their sustainability.
Engaging Youth in Social Action:
We are particularly passionate about inspiring the next generation. Encouraging more young people to participate in social action not only aids their personal development but also injects fresh energy and perspectives into community projects. This engagement is crucial for building a legacy of continual improvement and civic involvement.
Enabling Community Responses to Local Issues
True empowerment comes from the ability to respond effectively to local concerns. We enable communities by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and platforms necessary to address the issues that matter most to them. This grassroots approach ensures that our initiatives are both relevant and impactful.
Supporting Employer-Backed Volunteering:
We advocate for and back employer-supported volunteering, recognizing the dual benefits it brings to both communities and workplaces. By encouraging organizations to support their employees in volunteering, we foster a culture of corporate responsibility and community engagement that benefits all stakeholders.
Through these core principles, the East London Community Heroes Awards aim to create a tapestry of empowered, active, and interconnected individuals and groups. Each year, as we celebrate those who have made notable contributions, we also reinforce these values, striving to expand their influence across East London and beyond.
WHY APPLY
WHY PARTICIPATE
Endorsement
Networking
Exposure
Learning
Share knowledge and lessons learnt
History
Founding the East London Community Heroes Awards
Launched in 2018, the East London Community Heroes Awards were established by the Rotary Club of Stratford with a simple yet profound goal: to illuminate the exceptional, yet often overlooked, acts of service that bolster the East London community. Recognizing a gap in acknowledging the grassroots heroes who consistently devote their efforts to improving the local environment, the awards were designed to give these individuals and groups the recognition they truly deserve.
The inspiration for these awards stemmed from witnessing the powerful impact of community service on local development and cohesion. As the stories of dedication and selflessness multiplied, it became clear that these efforts should be celebrated not only to honour the doers but also to inspire others to take similar action. Thus, the awards quickly grew into a prestigious annual event, eagerly anticipated by the community and supported enthusiastically by local leaders and organizations.
Mission Statement
Recognition, Inspiration, Enablement
The mission of the East London Community Heroes Awards is threefold:
Core Values
Through these awards, we commit to not only recognizing the commendable but also kindling and nurturing a spirit of community, selflessness, and proactive engagement across East London. Each year, as we gather to celebrate, we renew our commitment to these values and the incredible people who live them out every day.
Impact of the East London Community Heroes Awards
Over the past five years, the East London Community Heroes Awards have grown into a beacon of inspiration and a catalyst for substantial positive change in our community. Here’s a snapshot of the impact we’ve achieved together:
Recognition and Support:
Volunteerism and Engagement:
Media and Outreach
Partnerships and Collaborations
As we look forward to the next five years, the East London Community Heroes Awards remain dedicated to expanding our impact, reaching more people, and continuing to serve as a cornerstone for community development and recognition in East London.
Why Participate in the East London Community Heroes Awards?
Participation in the East London Community Heroes Awards offers numerous benefits not only to the recipients but to all who engage with the event. Whether you are a nominee, a sponsor, or an attendee, here’s why you should get involved:
This award recognises the unsung community heroes who exemplify humanitarian service in line with quintessential British values. These remarkable individuals have made outstanding contributions to their local communities and embody the Rotary’s commitment to key areas such as peacebuilding, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education and literacy, community economic development, and environmental sustainability.
Guidance for Entries:
This award seeks to spotlight those who dedicate themselves to making a difference, often without expectation of recognition, ensuring their efforts are celebrated and their legacies encouraged.
This award celebrates young leaders under the age of 25 who have emerged as role models, inspiring and catalysing change within their communities. These exceptional individuals have made a significant positive impact in their locality, supporting Rotary’s global efforts in areas such as peacebuilding, disease prevention, water, sanitation, and hygiene, maternal and child health, education and literacy, community economic development, and environmental sustainability.
Guidance for Entries:
This award aims to recognise and foster young talents who not only contribute to their communities but also embody the potential to shape the future of community service.
This award recognises exceptional community groups that have harnessed creativity and commitment to tackle challenges or capitalise on opportunities within their local area. These groups have significantly contributed to promoting peace, enhancing health, supporting education, fostering economic development, and advancing environmental sustainability, truly exemplifying the power of collaborative effort.
Guidance for Entries:
This award aims to spotlight groups that not only make a difference but also inspire others by showing what can be achieved through unity and collaborative endeavour.
This award celebrates exemplary collaborations between businesses and community groups that significantly amplify the impact and scale of efforts within Rotary’s areas of focus. These partnerships actively contribute to peacebuilding, disease prevention, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, education, community and economic development, and environmental sustainability. They exemplify Rotary’s commitment to investing in communities to alleviate poverty and create lasting economic improvements in underserved areas.
Guidance for Entries:
This award aims to recognise partnerships that not only serve communities but also transform them by creating opportunities that bridge gaps and foster significant, sustainable progress.
This award celebrates initiatives that significantly enhance community cohesion within London. Recognized projects promote peace, harmony, and understanding across diverse groups, fostering an environment where dialogue, respect for diversity, inclusivity, and tolerance are paramount. These initiatives are pivotal in building collaboration and unity, aligning with Rotary’s commitment to peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
Guidance for Entries:
This award recognises initiatives that significantly improve sustainable access to education and literacy, particularly focusing on making basic education more accessible and addressing gender disparities. These initiatives empower individuals through education and skills development, fostering equal opportunities and socio-economic advancement in line with Rotary’s commitment to enhancing education for all and improving literacy across all age groups.
Guidance for Entries:
This award celebrates initiatives that empower individuals through education and skills development, aiming to build a foundation for sustainable economic growth and personal achievement within the community.
This award recognises initiatives dedicated to improving healthcare services, preventing diseases, and promoting general health and wellbeing within communities. These initiatives may range from providing essential medical services and training healthcare professionals to advocating for mental health support and tackling the social determinants that affect health outcomes. Rotary is committed to supporting activities that enhance healthcare services and systems for all communities.
Guidance for Entries:
This award is dedicated to acknowledging initiatives that significantly improve the health and wellbeing of communities, demonstrating a profound impact on public health through innovative and sustainable practices.
This award recognizes initiatives committed to environmental protection and sustainability. Celebrating projects that innovate in conservation, renewable energy, waste management, and environmental education, this award highlights efforts that address pressing environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices. Through supporting these initiatives, Rotary aims to strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance environmental sustainability, and foster a harmonious relationship between communities and their natural environments.
Guidance for Entries:
This award recognizes those who lead by example in environmental conservation, showcasing initiatives that not only protect but sustainably enhance our natural surroundings for future generations.
This award recognises initiatives dedicated to fostering peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and resolution within communities. It highlights projects that involve training in conflict resolution, fostering dialogue, supporting peace education, and proactively addressing the root causes of conflicts. Through these efforts, Rotary champions education and practices that transform conflicts in our communities and across the globe, promoting a more peaceful and cooperative society.
Guidance for Entries:
This award seeks to honour initiatives that effectively address and mitigate conflicts, fostering a culture of peace and mutual understanding that resonates throughout the community.
This award recognises initiatives that enhance sports development and its manifold benefits on physical health, mental well-being, and social skills. It celebrates programmes that provide sports opportunities, encourage widespread participation, and foster inclusive, supportive environments that enable everyone to engage in sports. Recognising the integral role of sports in promoting physical health, improving mental well-being, and enhancing social skills, Rotarians support these initiatives as vital components of community health and cohesion.
Guidance for Entries:
This award aims to spotlight initiatives that not only promote physical activity but also foster community engagement and personal development through sports, creating a healthier, more connected community.
This award recognises initiatives that leverage the arts and cultural activities to foster positive attitudes, enhance community engagement, and strengthen social cohesion. These initiatives may encompass arts programmes, cultural events, heritage preservation, and the promotion of cultural exchange. Rotarians acknowledge that arts and culture are pivotal in nurturing positive attitudes across communities and beyond.
Guidance for Entries:
This award aims to honour initiatives that not only celebrate but also actively preserve and enrich the cultural fabric of East London, fostering an inclusive community bonded through shared cultural experiences.
This award recognises initiatives that actively promote gender equality, empower women, and address the myriad challenges faced by women and girls. These initiatives may be focused on areas such as education, economic empowerment, leadership development, and combating gender-based violence. Rotary upholds that empowering women is not only a fundamental human right but also a cornerstone of a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
Guidance for Entries:
This award aims to honour and promote initiatives that not only champion the cause of women’s empowerment but also create measurable, sustainable impacts that contribute to the broader goal of gender equality in East London.
This award recognises social enterprises that have significantly contributed to solving social problems through innovative business models. These initiatives demonstrate how businesses can achieve both economic and social goals, impacting areas such as employment, social inclusion, and community development.
Guidance for Entries:
This award aims to celebrate social enterprises that are not only successful in their business endeavours but also contribute meaningfully to societal enhancement, setting benchmarks for social innovation.
This award recognises initiatives that have made significant contributions to improving mental health in the community. These may include awareness campaigns, support programs, innovative therapies, and services that increase access to mental health care.
Guidance for Entries:
This award aims to honour initiatives that significantly improve mental health awareness, treatment, and overall well-being in the community, fostering a more supportive and health-aware society.
This award recognises exceptional initiatives that address homelessness through prevention, intervention, and support services. These initiatives may involve providing shelter, rehabilitation, job training, or integration services to those affected by homelessness.
Guidance for Entries:
This award aims to recognise and support initiatives that provide comprehensive and effective solutions to homelessness, contributing to the overall stability and welfare of the community.
Eligibility & Terms
- Be considered deserving of a Rotary Award, in the opinion of the nominator.
- Not engage in activities that could bring Rotary into disrepute (as determined solely by the Rotary Club of Stratford).
- Have given consent, or if under 18, have parental consent to be nominated.
- Be located in East London, or their work must significantly impact the area.
East London Community Heroes Awards – Tips
These awards celebrate individuals and community groups who make a significant difference in the lives of others by going above and beyond in their activities. You can apply or nominate through our online form, which gathers information about you and your nominee.
The form requests an introduction to the entrant, the project, and the impact of the entrant’s work. The judges will review these descriptions, and they ultimately determine the award winners. In some cases, they may also request an interview.
Here are some top tips to enhance your entry:
1. Write Naturally and Sincerely: Express yourself in a natural tone, as if you are speaking. We want to understand what makes this person or group special to you.
2. Maximise Your Word Count: The judging will be based solely on your 250-word submission, so make every word count and use as much of your word count as possible.
3. Address the Five W’s: When sharing your entry, think of the Five W’s—Who, What, Why, Where, and How.
4. Be Vivid and Descriptive: Use descriptive language to help the judges visualise and feel the passion behind your entry. Think about all the senses in your description.
5. Proofread Aloud: If possible, read your nomination or application out loud before submitting it. If it’s difficult to articulate, it will likely be challenging for the judges to read.
6. Avoid Weblinks: Judges will not click on any web links. Including them uses up valuable word space and is unnecessary. They can view any documents or pictures you attach to support your application. If the core entry is not compelling, judges may not consider the attachments.
7. Grammar and Spelling: While spelling, punctuation, and grammar are not marked criteria, ensuring clarity in your submission is always beneficial.
The selection process for the East London Community Heroes Awards is meticulous and structured to ensure fairness and thoroughness in evaluating each entry:
Judging Criteria
The judging process is designed not only to identify the most deserving entries but also to highlight and celebrate the innovative and impactful work being done across East London. This meticulous approach ensures that the awards genuinely reflect the dedication and ingenuity inherent in our community.
