Everyone knows that Manchester is so special because of the people who call it home.
Across every neighbourhood in the city we see people who always show up for one another, who go the extra mile, who do great things for others without expecting anything in return.
It’s no understatement to say that people like this underpin our communities.
Manchester would not work without these people, quietly doing what they do. They don’t expect a stage - but now you can give them the recognition they deserve.
This is why Manchester City Council is incredibly proud to announce inaugural Best of Manchester Awards.
The Best of Manchester Awards will celebrate our city’s unsung champions. The people, groups and organisations who go that extra mile to help Manchester and those who call it home.
Nominations are now open from Monday, June 15, and will run for four weeks into the summer, so, if you think there is someone in your community who deserves to be recognised make sure you get your nominations in before they close on Sunday, 12 July.
Click here to go to our nominations page.
In a city as diverse as ours we know that there are so many ways in which people go above and beyond, that is why the decision was made to have a varied number of nomination categories. This way we hope that no one’s contribution will be left out.
The categories are:
What happens after you nominate?
Following the nominations the Lord Mayor and Council Leader will be holding three celebrations events in Manchester Town Hall Extension in September 2026, welcoming in people groups and organisations who have been nominated.
The finalists from each category will be then invited to the Best of Manchester Awards on Friday 23 October 2026 at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Oxford Street.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is a city where every single day the lives of our residents are made better by countless acts of selflessness.
“Over the course of our time here we all will have come across that person or that group who makes life a better place, who makes the community we live in feel like home, or the person who always puts others first.
“Those are the people the Best of Manchester Awards are for. We want to give people an opportunity to celebrate the people who do the most for us, yet never ask for anything return, or make a fuss, and who more than anyone deserve to have their time in the limelight.
“I’m honoured to be able to kick start the nomination process and I’m determined we celebrate the people who truly are the best of Manchester.”
These awards are proudly sponsored by Biffa, the event's headline sponsor.