Nominations Open for the 2026 Learner Achievement Awards

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Adult learners across West Berkshire are being encouraged to celebrate their achievements, and those of others who have supported their learning journey, as nominations open for the 2026 Learner Achievement Awards.

Organised by West Berkshire Council on behalf of the West Berkshire Community Learning Partnership, the awards recognise the positive impact that learning can have on individuals, families and communities. Whether it has helped someone gain new skills, improve their confidence, enhance their career prospects or support their health and wellbeing, the awards aim to showcase and celebrate these achievements.

The awards feature eight categories, recognising a wide range of accomplishments across apprenticeships, professional, academic and vocational learning, as well as non-formal learning programmes that strengthen families, communities and wellbeing.

One of the highlights is the Terry Stares Award, which celebrates the significant and often life-changing impact that education can have on an individual’s life. Award winners will receive a cash prize, with individual winners receiving £100 and group winners receiving £500.

The awards also provide an opportunity to recognise those who have inspired, encouraged and supported others through learning. Learners, groups and individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to the learning experience of others are all eligible for nomination.

Winners will be invited, along with a guest, to attend the awards presentation ceremony at Shaw House, Newbury, on Friday 6 November 2026 at 5.30pm.

If you know someone whose learning journey deserves recognition, or someone who has made a positive difference to others through education and training, now is the time to nominate them.

Nomination deadline: Friday 23 October 2026, 5pm

Find out more and submit a nomination:
https://www.westberks.gov.uk/laa

Please help spread the word and encourage anyone involved in adult learning across West Berkshire to take part. Together, we can celebrate the individuals and organisations helping to make lifelong learning a success in our communities.

Who’s your local hero?

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For the fourth year, BBC Radio Berkshire wants to celebrate and say thank you to people living in our villages and towns who make where we live a better place.

Every day we hear stories of people doing incredible things for each other and their communities. Now it’s time to recognise them for all their hard work.

Whether it’s caring for someone in need, being a brilliant neighbour, or inspiring children in the classroom, if you know someone who is really making a difference to your life or where you live, then you can nominate them for an Award.

There are 8 categories:

  1. The Volunteer Award – awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others.
  2. The Young Hero Award new – awarded to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional.
  3. The Great Neighbour Award – awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work in, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness.
  4. The Active Award new – awarded to an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community.
  5. The Animal Award – awarded to either a remarkable animal that improves people’s lives, or an individual or group of people who improve the welfare of animals.
  6. The Green Award – awarded to an individual or group of people who improve or conserve their local environment.
  7. The Fundraiser Award – awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause.
  8. The Community Group Award – awarded to a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their community.

Nominations are now open and will close on 31st March 2025 at 5:00pm.

The winners will be announced at our Make a Difference awards ceremony in September.

You can nominate someone you know here http://www.bbc.co.uk/makeadifference, where you can also see full Terms and our Privacy Notice.