The Waterford PPN Individual Awards, sponsored by Waterford Volunteer Centre, celebrate 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
- The organisation or project where the nominee volunteers must be registered with Waterford Volunteer Centre.
- Organisations that are not currently registered can register with Waterford Volunteer Centre.
- The volunteer must volunteer in Waterford County and/or with an organisation or project based in Waterford County.
- Nominations should tell us about the volunteer, what they do and the difference their contribution makes.
Nomination Form
Click here to for individual nomination form: Individual Nomination Form
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 volunteer in Waterford County and/or with an organisation or project based in Waterford County.
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 and/or with an organisation or project based in Waterford County can be nominated.
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.
We particularly welcome nominations for long-serving volunteers, Age Friendly volunteers, board members and trustees, as well as volunteers who have made a significant and long-lasting impact on their organisation or community.
This could be someone who has volunteered 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 people in their community, or someone whose time, knowledge and commitment have made a lasting impact.
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 continue to make in their community.
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, organisations 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 impact of their contribution.
- Why their contribution stands out as an example of long-term commitment and service.
Eligibility: The volunteer must have made a significant contribution through volunteering in Waterford County and/or with an organisation or project based in Waterford County.