Nominations for the Ashford Hero Awards 2027 close on 2 December. There are 14 awards, and winners are named at the Stour Centre on Friday 15 January.
Nominations are open for the Ashford Hero Awards 2027, and anyone can put a name forward until 2 December 2026. There are 14 awards this time, from Volunteer of the Year to a Young Hero Award, and the winners will be named at a ceremony at the Stour Centre on Friday 15 January 2027.
The awards are run by Freedom Leisure, the not-for-profit leisure trust that runs the Stour Centre. This is their second year.
Emily Phillips of Freedom Leisure told The Ashford Times the awards are back “following the incredible success of the inaugural awards”, and will again recognise “the outstanding individuals, groups, volunteers, community champions, and organisations that make a real difference across the borough.”
“We are keen to ensure that as many local residents as possible have the opportunity to nominate the people who deserve recognition,” she said. “Our aim is to celebrate the very best of Ashford and ensure that the remarkable contributions taking place every day across our communities receive the recognition they deserve.”
The 14 awards
Each award, with the trust’s own description and its sponsor where one has signed up:
- Heart of the Community Award (sponsored by the KPC Group): “an individual whose kindness, dedication, and selfless spirit makes Ashford a better place for everyone.”
- Lifetime Achievement Award (Squiggle Consult): someone “who has dedicated many years to making an extraordinary impact and lasting contribution to the Ashford/Tenterden community.”
- The Tenterden Vine Award (the KPC Group): “an individual whose compassion, dedication, and community spirit truly represent the very best of Tenterden.”
- Safeguarding and Welfare in Sport Award (Active Kent and Medway): “an individual or organisation that goes above and beyond to ensure that sport remains a safe, inclusive, and supportive space for all.”
- Fundraiser of the Year: “creative, passionate, and impactful funding efforts in 2026.”
- Young Hero Award: “a young individual who has shown outstanding courage and resilience during challenging circumstances.”
- Volunteer of the Year: someone “who has gone above and beyond in giving their time, passion and commitment to support others.”
- Inspiring Educator Award: someone who goes “above and beyond to positively impact the lives of young people through education.”
- Diversity and Inclusion Award (Givaudan): “efforts to build a more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming community.”
- Sustainability Champion (Givaudan): “projects or individuals driving environmental change or promoting sustainable practices.”
- Cultural Contribution Award (Byntar): “someone enhancing local life through arts, heritage, music or community events.”
- Public Services Hero Award: “outstanding commitment and service in a public sector role.”
- Strength through Adversity Award: “someone who has overcome significant challenges and now inspires others.”
- Bravery in Action Award: “an individual who has demonstrated exceptional courage or selflessness.”
Seven of the 14 had no sponsor when we checked the page on 5 October; the trust lists them as “available to sponsor”.
Who can nominate, and what you need
Freedom Leisure says it wants nominations from “members of the public, community groups, schools, sports clubs, charities and local organisations”, covering Ashford, Tenterden and the surrounding area.
The online form asks for:
- your name, email address, phone number and how you know the nominee;
- the nominee’s full name, email address and phone number, plus their role and organisation if relevant;
- which award you are nominating them for, and your reason.
Before you submit, you have to confirm that you have the nominee’s permission to share their details and enter them into the awards. You also agree that your nomination can be shared in full with the judging panel, and that parts of it (not contact details) may be used in publicity if your nominee is shortlisted or wins.
What it means for you
If someone you know has quietly kept a club, a food bank, a youth group or a street going, this is the time to say so. Two practical points:
- Ask them first. The form needs their email and phone number and your confirmation that they have agreed to be put forward, so a surprise nomination will not get through.
- Write the reason properly. The reason you give is what goes to the judges, so be specific: what they did, for how long, and who it helped.
The deadline is 2 December 2026.
What happens after nominations close
Emily Phillips told us that a judging panel meets the week after nominations close. Everyone on the shortlist will be invited to the awards in the week beginning 14 December, ready for the awards night in January.
Last year’s winners
The first Ashford Hero Awards were held at the Stour Centre on 9 January 2026. Freedom Leisure lists the 2026 winners as:
- Bravery in Action: Marley Cook and Ben Sparkes
- Cultural Contribution: Confidance
- Diversity and Inclusion: Unite Ashford
- Fundraiser of the Year: Lewis and Zoe Steeper
- Heart of the Community: Samuel Bunting
- Inspiring Educator: Lloyd Dehara
- Public Services Hero: Ashford and Tenterden Samaritans
- Safeguarding and Welfare in Sport: Bev Latham
- Sustainability Champion: Singleton Environment Centre
- Tenterden Vine: Beth Rice
- Volunteer of the Year: Jack Dale
- Young Hero: Rubie Tucker
Lewis and Zoe Steeper, founders of The Oliver Steeper Foundation, also gave the Stour Centre a LifeVac, which is now kept on site.
Why the awards exist
The trust’s page says the awards were set up “to shine a spotlight on the remarkable people whose contributions often go unnoticed, yet have a lasting impact on the lives of those around them”, and that the 2026 awards “celebrated a diverse range of local heroes who demonstrated exceptional community spirit, service and leadership.”
“Every community has its heroes,” it says. “They are the people who generously give their time, support those in need, bring people together, champion inclusion, and help create stronger, healthier and more connected communities.”
For more going on in the town, see our What’s On in Ashford page.
Have your say