Nominations for those working at the grassroots in rural communities are wanted before 4pm on Friday, 27th February, 2026, with successful applicants having the chance of claiming up to £1,000 to support their work.
Rural awards give local communities and their groups a chance to showcase the range of activities they are involved in to keep their areas attractive and vibrant during the last year.
They also give the Housing Executive an opportunity to recognise the outstanding volunteering work being carried out on the ground in neighbourhoods and villages across rural parts of Northern Ireland.
Winner of last year’s Community Champion Award in the North region was Patricia McConnell.
Patricia (82) is co-founder of Carnlough Community Association, a group formed in 2005 which strives to tackle issues like poverty, unemployment and mental health.
Reflecting upon her year as Community Champion Patricia said, “It was so lovely to be recognized 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.
“We have introduced new courses including yoga, reflexology, food hygiene and first aid classes alongside our longstanding luncheon club, youth club, bowling club and summer scheme which continue to go from strength to strength.
“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.
“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.”
First launched at the Balmoral Show in 2014, the Rural Community Awards competition has been a huge success – generating hundreds of inspiring applications.
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.”
There are three awards on offer:
- The Community Champion award is open to extraordinary individuals nominated by the rural community group they represent. The group will win £500 and there will be a prize for the individual.
- 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. The winning group will receive £1,000.
- Cleaner and Greener Rural Community award, sponsored by Northern Ireland Housing Council, rewards and encourages those rural communities who have come together to protect and enhance their built and natural environment and to promote sustainability with their residents. The winning group will receive £1,000.
There will be winners in both the Housing Executive’s North and South Regions as well runner’s up prize money in each category.
To nominate your local Unsung Hero via the Rural Community Awards, visit www.nihe.gov.uk and search for Rural Community Awards, or alternatively email rural.housing@nihe.gov.uk to request an application form
Completed application forms should be returned to the Housing Executive by 4pm on Friday, 27th February, 2026.
