Swale Borough Council has opened nominations for the 2026 Mayor’s Civic Awards to celebrate volunteers and neighbours across the Swale borough, centred on Sittingbourne, Kent. The annual awards recognise residents who help their community without being paid — from people who look after the local environment to those who run neighbourhood groups.
Anyone who lives in the borough can be nominated, regardless of age or the scale of their contribution. Nominations can be submitted online or by downloading the nomination form (PDF) from the Swale Borough Council website.
The council is seeking nominations across its established categories, including Young Person (under 25), Charity/Fundraising, Environment, Community Group, and the special award for Quick Thinking, Speedy Action and Bravery.
The closing date for nominations is 31 March 2026 at 5pm. A ceremony to announce the winners is planned for May 2026.
The awards began in 2014 as the Volunteer Swale Awards and were later rebranded as the Mayor’s Civic Awards to recognise volunteers across the borough.
A judging panel, including the Mayor of Swale and local councillors, will review nominations and select the winners later this spring. The council’s news portal (news.swale.gov.uk) will publish updates and details of the ceremony as the date approaches.
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