Connect For Life, Ignite Hubs and the community interest company Give Your Best are among the charities in the running to win a special recognition award at the 2022 Third Sector Awards.
The awards, which recognise the achievements of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises, feature 32 categories, including Fundraising Team of the Year and Best Charity Film.
A new special recognition award has been added to the list, which recognises the vital work of small and micro charities in building strong relationships with the people and communities they serve.
The Community Champion Award will be awarded to an individual or a small or micro charity that entered the Third Sector Awards via its free entry scheme, and which judges felt demonstrated outstanding work to drive positive change in their communities.
Also in the running for the award is the community interest organisation In2MedSchool, which runs a mentoring scheme for secondary school and college students from minoritised backgrounds to help them through the process of applying to medical school.
Ben Buddy Slack, founder of The Swan Song Project, which offers free songwriting support to anyone living with a terminal illness, is also a finalist.
Entries were judged by an independent panel of sector experts co-chaired by Adam Tulloch, chief executive of Total Insight Theatre, and Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, the former chief executive of Christian Aid.
“The smallest charities make up the vast majority of the voluntary and not-for-profit sector, but their vital work often goes unrecognised,” said Emily Burt, editor of Third Sector.
“I’m delighted we are able to spotlight some exceptional organisations with this new award, and we all look forward to celebrating the achievements of our winners in September.”
The charity insurer Ansvar is the headline sponsor of this year’s Third Sector Awards and is supporting the categories Small Charity, Big Achiever and Charity of the Year.
The awards ceremony will take place at a lunch and drinks reception on 30 September at The Brewery in London.
Early bird tickets are available until 15 August.
To view the full list of shortlisted entries, click here.