The Waterford PPN Individual Award sponsored Waterford Volunteer Volunteer Centre celebrates the people who give their time, skills and energy to make a difference in their communities.
Volunteering comes in many forms. It can be a few hours a week, helping out at an event, supporting a local group, sitting on a board, welcoming people, organising activities or simply being there when someone needs a hand.
You don’t have to be a superhero to be a great volunteer. These awards are about recognising the people who show up, get involved and make a difference.
Eligibility – All Categories
-
Both the nominating organisation and the volunteer being nominated must be registered with Waterford Volunteer Centre.
-
Registration with Waterford Volunteer Centre is available through the Waterford Volunteer Centre website.
-
The volunteer must volunteer in Waterford County.
-
Nominations should tell us about the volunteer, what they do and the difference their contribution makes.
Rising Star Volunteer of the Year
Celebrating young and emerging volunteers
About the Award
The Rising Star Volunteer of the Year celebrates a young person who is getting involved, giving their time and making a positive difference.
They may be new to volunteering or already making a big contribution. What matters is their enthusiasm, commitment and the difference they are making to others.
We want to hear about young people who are getting involved in their community, learning new skills, supporting others and showing what volunteering can mean to them.
What will we look for?
Nominations might tell us about:
-
The volunteer’s enthusiasm and commitment.
-
The contribution they make to their organisation or community.
-
The difference their volunteering makes to other people.
-
How they have grown in confidence or developed new skills.
-
The ways they encourage or support others.
-
Why their contribution deserves to be recognised.
Eligibility: The volunteer must be 21 or under and registered with Waterford Volunteer Centre.
Waterford Volunteer of the Year
Celebrating the contribution volunteers make to Waterford in 2026.
About the Award
The Waterford Volunteer of the Year celebrates a volunteer who gives their time and makes a positive difference to their organisation, community or the people they support.
They don’t need to have done something extraordinary. Sometimes the most important contributions are the everyday ones — turning up, helping out, listening, organising, supporting others and being someone people can rely on.
Tell us about a volunteer who has made a difference in 2026 and why their contribution is important.
What will we look for?
Nominations might tell us about:
-
The time and commitment the volunteer gives.
-
The difference they make to others.
-
Their contribution to their organisation or local community.
-
Something they have achieved or helped make happen in 2026.
-
The skills, experience or enthusiasm they bring.
-
The way they support and encourage others.
-
What makes this person a valued volunteer.
Eligibility: Anyone who volunteers in Waterford County can be nominated, provided the volunteer and nominating organisation are registered with Waterford Volunteer Centre.
Volunteer Legacy Award
Celebrating long-standing commitment and a lasting contribution to the community.
About the Award
The Volunteer Legacy Award celebrates people who have given their time to their community over many years and whose contribution has made a lasting difference.
This could be someone who has been volunteering with the same organisation for many years, a board member or trustee who has helped an organisation grow, an Age Friendly volunteer who has supported their community, or someone whose time and commitment have left a lasting mark on the people around them.
A legacy doesn’t have to be something big or formal. It might be the people they have helped, the organisation they have supported, the knowledge they have passed on, or the difference they have made to their community over the years.
What will we look for?
Nominations might tell us about:
-
How long the person has been volunteering and what they have contributed over that time.
-
The difference their volunteering has made to their community.
-
The people, organisation or groups they have supported.
-
The knowledge, skills or experience they have shared with others.
-
How they have helped an organisation or community develop.
-
The lasting difference their contribution has made.
-
Why their volunteering will be remembered.
Eligibility: The volunteer must have made a significant contribution through volunteering in Waterford and must be registered with Waterford Volunteer Centre.