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The Housing Executive is on the hunt for rural unsung heroes, as nominations open for their annual Rural Community Awards, with prize money of up to £1000 available for groups making a difference in villages and small settlements across the region.
Groups and individuals working at grassroots level in rural communities have until 4pm on Friday, 27 February 2026 to put forward their nominations for the awards, which celebrate the range of activities keeping rural areas attractive and vibrant.
First launched at the Balmoral Show in 2014, the Rural Community Awards competition has generated hundreds of inspiring applications over the years. The scheme gives local communities a platform to showcase their work whilst recognising outstanding volunteering efforts in neighbourhoods and villages across rural Northern Ireland.
Pamela Johnston, the Housing Executive's Rural and Regeneration Manager, said: "We want to celebrate the work of volunteers across Northern Ireland who are quite often the 'unsung heroes' in our community. They routinely go above and beyond to promote health and wellbeing, individual and community development, social inclusion and to help make life better for all residents, which is to be commended. I'm very much looking forward to hearing more inspirational stories about all the good work that is being done."
Last year's Community Champion Award winner in the North region was Patricia McConnell, an 82-year-old who co-founded Carnlough Community Association back in 2005. The group works to tackle issues including poverty, unemployment and mental health in the coastal village.
Reflecting on her award, Patricia said: "It was so lovely to be recognised by the Housing Executive for the effort we put in to improving life for everyone living in our beautiful village. Over the last year we have really tried to focus on providing services which will help enhance the mental health and well-being of those aged 30 - 60, an age group I feel can often get overlooked."
The group has introduced new courses including yoga, reflexology, food hygiene and first aid classes alongside their longstanding luncheon club, youth club, bowling club and summer scheme which continue to go from strength to strength.
Patricia added: "I am so passionate about our village and I will keep volunteering for as long as I can. My husband jokes that I should move my bed to our premises because I spend most of my time there. I would just love to see more young people volunteering. It brings me such joy to watch the young volunteers we currently have helping to build the confidence of their peers in the youth club and summer scheme."
Three awards are on offer this year. The Community Champion award is open to extraordinary individuals nominated by the rural community group they represent, with the group winning £500 and a prize for the individual. The Rural Community Spirit award is open to all community groups based in rural areas who work together to make their village or small settlement a better place to live, with the winning group receiving £1,000. The Cleaner and Greener Rural Community award, sponsored by Northern Ireland Housing Council, rewards rural communities who have come together to protect and enhance their built and natural environment and promote sustainability, with the winning group also receiving £1,000.
Winners will be announced in both the Housing Executive's North and South Regions, with runner-up prize money available in each category.
Patricia urged other groups to get involved, saying: "I would strongly encourage groups to apply for the Rural Community Awards. They are a wonderful way to celebrate the work of and raise the profile of small rural groups making a huge difference. I would like to thank the Housing Executive for giving me this award last year and for all the support and advice they offer us every year."
Those wishing to nominate their local unsung hero can visit www.nihe.gov.uk or email rural.housing@nihe.gov.uk to request an application form. Completed forms must be returned to the Housing Executive by 4pm on Friday, 27 February 2026.
