Be Proud Awards 2025 categories
Neighbourhood action on climate change - sponsored by Redgate
This is an award that celebrates those individuals and groups that are delivering local projects and actions that directly help to highlight and tackle the climate change crisis. It recognises those people making a positive contribution to Manchester’s commitment to carbon reduction in the city, however big or small the actions are. Activities could include recycling, food growing, play and school streets, walking and cycling projects, encouraging nature and biodiversity, and supporting more residents to get involved in climate change activities.
Supporting those affected by poverty - sponsored by One Manchester
This award recognises organisations, groups or individuals who are supporting other residents and families to a more comfortable future. This includes preventing poverty, reducing its impact on people, and engaging residents in identifying the solutions and support needed. Activities could include maximising income levels, pathways to employment, and connecting residents to advice and guidance to improve their lives including warm hubs, energy, food, transport and benefits.
Increasing skills, education and employability - sponsored by Southway Housing Trust
This award is to highlight the work of individuals and community groups that provide residents with opportunities and experiences to improve their skills, confidence and employment chances. Activities could include improving digital and internet skills, how to interview better, create CV’s, running a Work Club and completing job applications, providing support to explore a range of careers whilst gaining practical skills, and getting involved in volunteering activities to make them even more employable.
Making our neighbourhoods safer - sponsored by Wythenshawe Forum
This award sets out to recognise those individuals or community groups who are helping to make their neighbourhood a safer place for all residents and the wider community. Activities could relate to neighbourhood watch schemes, safety awareness advice and support, school and young people safety schemes, reducing violence and crime, and fostering positive change to reduce violence against women and girls.
Supporting health and wellbeing - sponsored by MCR Active
This award acknowledges individuals and community groups who are supporting the wider community to improve health and mental wellbeing. Activities could include walking and talking, befriending, ‘Good Neighbour’ groups, healthy eating, exercising to keep fit, and getting involved in sports clubs.
Promoting equality and diversity - sponsored by Wythenshawe Community House Group
An award that recognises the commitment and passion of individuals and groups who bring people together to strengthen relationships and belonging, and celebrate Manchester’s diverse cultures and heritage. Activities could include strengthening connections and understanding between each other, building friendships, getting more residents involved in their community, intergenerational projects, and arranging activities, events and festivals for the whole community to get involved and have fun.
Making our neighbourhoods cleaner and greener - sponsored by Biffa
This award celebrates groups and individuals who take pride and action to keep where they live, clean and green for the benefit of all the community. Examples could include community clean-ups, improving an alleyway, improving the look & feel of spaces by planting flowers / greenery, tackling fly-tipping and graffiti, and “Friends of” groups and other volunteer organisations including Friends of Parks, who also care for spaces.
Creative communities - sponsored by Rowlinson Construction Limited
This award recognises any creative project that has residents and communities at its heart, and celebrates those who are imaginative and have taken an innovative approach to make their neighbourhood an even better place to live. Examples could include public art to improve how places look and feel, events and activities to bring people together for collective ideas and action, and activities that have helped communities adapt to changing situations.
Businesses supporting the community - sponsored by Manchester Arndale
An award that recognises businesses that give back to their community. By investing time, skills, and resources into their local areas, these businesses go above and beyond to become key members of their communities. Activities could include inclusive recruitment practices to employ local people who need a chance, building long-term relationships with schools to support young people with educational, work experience and employment opportunities, as well as with community groups to support them and their projects.
Pride of Manchester - sponsored by Manchester Evening News
The overall winner from all the other categories.