The vote to find community groups or organisations that went ‘Above and Beyond’ in the pandemic has opened. If you’re a member of Connect RCT, you can vote in this poll, which will honour the groups that went above and beyond in a very difficult time. The winner will receive £1000, with second place taking £500, and third claiming £250. Voting closes 31/05/22.

The prize money can be spent furthering the group or organisation’s aims in any way they want. Think of what could be done with the cash! The winners will be announced during Volunteers Week between 1st to 6th June.

Vote on Connect RCT

If you’d like to vote but aren’t on Connect RCT, signing up is free, and very straightforward. Become a member of Connect RCT, and vote in the Above and Beyond Awards.

The nominees are:

Here’s the final list of nominees:

• Artis Community Cymuned
• Blaenllechau Youth Project
• Cwm Taf Care and Repair
• Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind
• Cynon Valley Organic Adventure
• Follow Your Dreams/Charity
• Men’s Shed Tynewydd
• Mothers Matter CIC
• Pontyclun Bosom Pals Breast Cancer Support Group
• RCT People First
• RCT Photomarathon
• Rhondda Foodbank
• Rhondda Litter Pickers and Environment
• Rhondda Radio
• Rhydyfelin Community Group
• Valley Veterans

Ways they may have gone ‘above and beyond’

This isn’t a complete list of ways a group or organisation may have gone above or beyond, but you might want to vote for a group or organisation with members that:

• volunteered for long hours
• was really resourceful with what they had
• achieved in spite of difficulties caused by the pandemic
• was there for vulnerable people when no-one else was
• plugged gaps in social support