The Glasgow Times Community Champion Awards 2023 took place on Tuesday, December 5 at Glasgow City Chambers.
The Awards rewarded locals who make Glasgow a better place to live for 16 years. The awards go right to the heart of communities across the city, from the north east, south and north west, before bringing the area finalists together at the end of the year for an overall, city-wide celebration.
Since winning ‘Pop Idol’ Michelle has gone on to carve a career in print, on screen, radio and the stage.
She is the twice weekly host on BBC Radio Scotland ‘Afternoon Show’ and a regular co-host with Clive Anderson on Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’.
Michelle won ‘Pop Idol’ in 2003 with in excess of 6.5 million votes. Her first single, ‘All This Time’, was number 1 for three weeks and was the second biggest selling British single of 2004 (Band Aid being number 1). Michelle was the first Scottish female to debut at number 1 and ‘All This Time’ was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award in 2004. Her album ‘The Meaning of Love’ released in February 2004 was also hugely successful.
She has hosted her own Saturday night radio show on the top-rated independent station in Scotland Radio Clyde and had her own series ‘Let’s Do The Show Right Here’ on the BBC, as well as multiple seasons of the popular show ‘Our Lives’. She was delighted to be asked to make a guest appearance in ‘Still Game’ (BBC2) and ‘Scot Squad’ (BBC) in 2015.
2019 was Michelle’s seventh year at the Edinburgh Festival presenting her one woman shows, co-written with Bruce Devlin. 2013 & 2014 ‘Michelle McManus’ Reality – The Musical’, 2015 & 2018 ‘Reloaded’, 2016 & 2019 ‘Pop Goes The Idol’, 2017 ‘Reality’. She makes regular appearances at theatres and comedy festivals.
Since 2016 Michelle has produced and presented her own Christmas shows ‘Michelle McManus’ Winter Wonderland’ with the Soundsational Choir at various Glasgow venues including the Fruitmarket and will be doing so again this year at the Town House, Hamilton on 10th December.
This year’s event will follow the same format as 2022. Members of the public will be able to vote for their local community champions. See below timeline and format.
This award will be presented to a team or group of volunteers who make a difference to their community by improving amenities or raising the quality of life for residents. This category is open to charities or voluntary organisations who, for example, may be involved in fundraising for better facilities or organising community events. We are looking for evidence of how this work has made the community a better or safer place to live.
This award will be presented to someone who, by giving up their free time, has made a significant contribution to other people’s lives or to their community. For example, this individual may run a local club, campaign for better services for their area, tackle environmental issues or clean up their communities. We want to hear inspirational stories.
This award recognises a public service team or individual making an outstanding contribution to the community in which they work. We want to hear about people who have gone above and beyond to provide a vital service for people in the local area.
This category will recognise an extraordinary team or individual from the uniformed services. It could be a person you turn to in times of crisis or a team who is responsible for keeping your community safe. They may have gone above and beyond the call of duty or make an outstanding contribution to help those they serve.
We are looking for a local hero or team from the 60 and over age group who, after many years of hard work, continue to devote much of their time to helping other individuals or groups in their community. We want to hear about and reward the work of those special older citizens.
This will reward a group of young people or an individual aged 17 or under. They may have made a difference to their community or have inspired others through their achievements. This could be through fundraising, campaigning on issues which are important to young people or helping others less fortunate.
This award will recognise groups or projects which promote the improvement of health and wellbeing within their communities. It could be an initiative which promotes healthy lifestyles or provides support to help people stop smoking. It may be a project which offers advice, counselling and support for those with health issues. The category is open to all charities or voluntary organisations, community groups and individuals.
This category has been introduced to recognise those working at grass roots level to encourage participation in sport and improve the fitness of Glasgow’s citizens. It could be a club which promotes sporting, social and recreational opportunities. Or it may be an outstanding coach who inspires people in the community to be more active. The category is open to all charity, voluntary or public organisations, community groups, and individuals.
This category was introduced last year. It will be awarded to a school – nursery, primary, secondary or assisted support for learning – which can demonstrate the exceptional contribution it has made to its local community. This could be, for example, through offering clubs or groups that have become an integral part of the community.
To be announced on the night
To be announced on the night
Councillor Jacqueline McLaren represents the Scottish National Party.
She was elected in 2017 to represent Canal Ward 16 and then again in 2022 when she became Glasgow’s Lord Provost.
Glasgow first citizen was born in Maryhill in the north of the city. Her first home was in Rolland street, she later moved to the Valley area of Maryhill and grew up in and around the Forth and Clyde Canal.
Before being elected to represent Canal Ward the Lord Provost worked in her partner’s legal practice Ian C McCarthy Solicitors in the Partick area of Glasgow.
Her partner is a Solicitor-Advocate and has been in business for over thirty years with offices in both the East End and West End of Glasgow.
The couple have one son Christopher, who is currently studying in his final year of medicine.
Lord Provost McLaren came into politics to empower her community and improve the lives of others.
Senior Features Writer, Glasgow Times
Ann Fotheringham is a senior features writer and has been writing about Glasgow and its magnificent people for more than 20 years. She is responsible for the Glasgow Times’ award winning community campaigns, including Streets Ahead, Scotswoman of the Year and, of course, Glasgow Community Champions. Her remit also includes human interest, health, nostalgia and a general obsession with Strictly Come Dancing.
Editor, Glasgow Times
Stacey Mullen is the Editor of the Glasgow Times. She has worked in local, regional and national newspapers for more than 15 years. A proud Glaswegian, Stacey was crime reporter at the title for several years before her latest role. She is responsible for the newspaper and its website, living by the brand’s motto that Nobody Knows Glasgow better.
Deacon Convenor, The Trades House of Glasgow
Bruce Reidford recently retired from Tunnocks Ltd after spending 30 years as Company Secretary, responsible for all legal and financial matters within the company.
He is immersed in civic duty and charitable work having been an Elder in the Church of Scotland for 35 years, an Ambassador for ‘Glasgow the Caring city’ and carrying out voluntary work for Alzheimer’s Scotland.
Bruce is an Ex Deacon of the Incorporation of Bakers and served on the House Finance Committee, the Charities Committee and Trades House Burns Festival Committee.
Cathy is a tenant board member of Wheatley Homes Glasgow. Cathy is active in her local community and was also previously a Board member of Glasgow Credit Union. Cathy retired having spent her career in local government, with a strong focus on the provision of local facilities and play schemes.
Site Head & MD, Merck
David McClelland is the Site Head and Managing Director for three Merck facilities in Scotland, the largest of which is in Glasgow. Merck is a global science and technology company split into three business units: Healthcare, Electronics and Life Science. The Glasgow site falls within the Life Science business and provides critical safety testing for human medicines, whilst employing over 600 highly-skilled people.
David originally hails from Irvine, but considers himself an adopted Glaswegian, having worked in the city for almost 20 years and having lived in Pollokshields for a period before finally settling in Paisley. He, and his Merck colleagues, are passionate about engaging with their local communities, with a particular focus on advancing STEM education and inspiring Glasgow’s scientists of the future.
David is also a Trustee of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity supporting this charity’s aims to be there for every child treated in hospital in the West of Scotland.
Who can enter?
Anyone can nominate a team/project/individual from any of the regions in Glasgow.
Why should I enter?
Not only does being shortlisted (or better yet, winning) an award mean you will be recognised as a community champion, it is also a major morale boost for you or your workforce and is a great PR opportunity both at the event and long after. If you win, you will also receive a trophy for your display cabinet!
How do I enter?
You must complete our entry form to submit a nomination. Head to the ‘How to Enter’ section above for instructions.
Can I enter more than one category?
You can submit as many nominations as you like across the different categories. The categories and the criteria for each can be found in the ‘Categories’ section above.
What is the deadline for entries?
The entry deadline is Tuesday 14th September.
How much does it cost?
It is free to enter the awards. Tickets for the grand award ceremony are invite only.
What happens next once I’ve entered?
Once you have submitted an entry, we will add your nomination to the entry pack for consideration. A sifting session will take place in October to shortlist nominations from each region before going to a public vote. The results from the public vote will feed into a final judging session.
How do I vote?
Voting will be open to the public via the Glasgow Times website during October.
How does the judging process work?
The results from the public vote will decide the winners from each region. A final judging session will then take place in November to decide the overall winners, who will be announced at the grand final in Glasgow City Chambers in December.
When will the shortlist be announced?
The shortlist will be listed in the Glasgow Times and on this website in November.
When will the winners be announced?
The winners will be announced at our glittering awards ceremony on Tuesday 5th December at the Glasgow City Chambers. The awards ceremony is invite only.
What do I do if I have more questions?
We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have regarding the entry process or event. Please contact Senior Events Manager, Stephen Laughlin on 0141 302 6050 or stephen.laughlin@newsquest.co.uk with all enquires.
What region is my town in?
Please see map below showing each region – North West, North East & South.
