Barnsley Spirit Awards

October being a significant month for Barnsley as the Barnsley council will recognise outstanding contribution shown by businesses, community groups, voluntary groups, key workers and residents throughout the coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic with a special Barnsley Spirit Mayor Award. 

Cllr Pauline Markham, Mayor of Barnsley, said: "These awards are an example of the incredible community spirit that we harnessed in Barnsley; I am honoured to be able to thank every person that will be recognised for their vital role that they have played to keep Barnsley moving throughout the pandemic.’’

Barnsley was one of the many towns negatively influenced by the global pandemic, however, when Boris Johnson made the decision to trigger a national lockdown it caused many businesses in Barnsley to struggle to keep running. The Mayor’s Barnsley Spirit award is to celebrate the amazing response from people who have shown the Barnsley Spirit within supporting communities during the coronavirus pandemic by providing the deserved winners with a special mayor’s award.

Award winners will also be invited to a special event with the Mayor at a later date, once Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions permit, to celebrate this achievement further. Even though the winners deserve everything they will get, sticking to the rules set by the prime minister is crucial within battling against the coronavirus. 

To receive a Barnsley Spirit award, people will be asked to nominate a person or group that have shown outstanding contribution in one of the following categories:

• Frontline worker(s) who have supported people who need help the most and those with Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Barnsley.

• Those who have provided critical care to Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in Barnsley.

• Those who have developed innovative solutions to support people who need help the most and those with Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Barnsley.

• Those who have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep critical services going in Barnsley.

• Those who have volunteered in the community or for services/organisations to support the response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Barnsley.

Residents will have until Friday 30 October to nominate a person or community group for an award. Once this deadline has arrived, letters and medals will be sent to those who have been awarded. Nominations for the Mayor's Award open on Thursday 1 October. Residents will be able to send in submissions through the online form at barnsley.gov.uk/Barnsley-spirit-awards or by calling 01226 775505, Monday to Thursday 9 am – 5 pm and Friday 9 am – 4.30 pm. Award winners are encouraged to share photos and videos of themselves, which can be seen on Facebook or Twitter. Once those pictures and videos are shared, the award winners will be asked to tag ‘Barnsley Council Facebook’ or Barnsley Council Twitter’