The shortlist is in!

To celebrate the very best of Dorset and its residents, Wessex Water is supporting the Community of the Year Awards 2021 in conjunction with the Dorset Echo and Bournemouth Echo.

And now the shortlist of those nominated can be revealed.

The past 20 months have shown us the very best of all our communities in the most challenging of times.

We have seen the importance of working together and helping each other.

The four categories in the awards are:

Community of the Year

Community Project of the Year

Community Hero of the Year

Community Business of the Year

We asked you to nominate your favourites and the winner from each category will win a £500 donation to a nominated local registered charity, in association with Dorset Community Foundation.

Dorset Echo Editor in Chief, Diarmuid MacDonagh, said: "We have had many wonderful nominations and there have been lots of amazing stories to tell.

"This just goes to show how amazing our communities are and the fantastic people who make them tick."

Kirsty Scarlett, head of community engagement at Wessex Water, said: “Congratulations to all who have been shortlisted in the competition.

"We were so impressed and inspired to hear about all the projects, businesses and individuals across Dorset that dedicate their time to helping others and their local environment.

“Many of the entries described how the nominees have provided vital extra support to their local area throughout the pandemic, so we’re delighted and proud to be celebrating this much-needed community spirit during such a difficult time.

“As Dorset’s water and sewerage provider, our field teams spend lots of their time working in these communities, solving problems such as fixing leaks and helping customers who need it most with extra services.

"Our communities are important to us and we support many local initiatives and charities with funding and volunteering, as well as installing public water refill points across Dorset to help reduce the use of single-use plastics.”

To vote please see https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/dorset-community-awards