Harbour Lights Community Hero Awards
12 November
Some heroes wear capes. Around here, they’re more likely to be running the local club, checking on a neighbour or quietly raising money for a good cause.
After a long break, we’re delighted to bring back the Harbour Lights Community Hero Awards – celebrating the people who make Falmouth, Penryn and our surrounding villages a happier, kinder place to live.
Nominations open on Tuesday 1 December 2026, so now’s the time to start thinking about someone who deserves a proper thank you.
Celebrating the people who make a difference
First launched in 2017, our Community Hero Awards have introduced us to some remarkable local people. Having held four successful awards, we’re excited to hear a new collection of stories and give our community’s unsung heroes their moment in the spotlight.
We’re looking for the people who turn up, roll up their sleeves and get stuck in, often without expecting any recognition.
It could be a volunteer who gives their evenings to a local cause. A coach who helps young people find their confidence. A carer, fundraiser or neighbour whose kindness makes someone’s week.
Big gestures or small acts repeated over many years – we want to hear about the difference they make.
Why we're bringing the awards back
At Harbour Lights, being part of Falmouth means much more than serving fish and chips. It means being part of a community that has supported us for years, and recognising the people who help it thrive.
Every day we meet people who are quietly doing remarkable things for others without any fuss or expectation of thanks
Bringing the awards back is our chance to shine a light on those people and thank them properly.
Who can be nominated?
Nominees must be locally based, with their good work taking place mainly in Falmouth, Penryn and the surrounding villages within the TR11 and TR10 postcode areas.
If your nominee is under 18, we’ll contact their parent or guardian before going any further.
We’re looking for dedication, selflessness and a positive impact on other people or the environment.
You won’t need to write a polished masterpiece. Just tell us what your hero does, who they help and why their contribution matters. Shortlisting will be based on the strength of their story, rather than how many nominations they receive.
Members of the Harbour Lights team cannot nominate or be nominated.
A celebration worth sharing
Our judging panel, including Falmouth Town Manager Richard Gates, Harbour Lights General Manager, Chloe Ford-Smith and Jade Herman, People Champion at Harbour Lights, will choose three finalists.
The finalists, their nominators and up to ten supporters each will be invited to a celebration evening at Harbour Lights on Wednesday 27 January 2027, from 6.30pm, when we’ll announce our Community Hero for 2027.
There will also be bespoke trophies and prize money for the finalists’ chosen good causes – helping their kindness go a little further.
Nominations open on 1 December
Nominations will open on Tuesday 1 December 2026 and close at 11.59 on Friday 8 January 2027.
From 1 December, you’ll be able to nominate through our dedicated awards webpage. We’ll share the online form and full details when nominations open.
For now, have a think about the person who’s always there for others. The one who never makes a fuss, but makes a real difference.
Let’s give them something to smile about.
Find out more here