Shine a light on the county’s champions – nominate for a Suffolk Medal
Local people are being urged to nominate the unsung heroes who have made a lasting and positive difference to the community for the county’s highest honour – a Suffolk Medal.
Suffolk Community Foundation, which coordinates the medal, is encouraging residents to nominate anyone they feel has carried out incredible work for the benefit of the county, whether that is a friend, neighbour, colleague or someone they admire from afar.
This year, organisers are especially keen to receive nominations for women whose contributions may have gone under the radar so that their stories can be shared and celebrated. This could include community organisers and carers, as well as educators, environmentalists and charity champions.
“The Suffolk Medal is the highest honour that the county can give to an individual,” said Hannah Bloom, chief executive of Suffolk Community Foundation. “It recognises, rewards and champions the people who embody the county’s generosity and resilience and whose exceptional contributions have made a measurable and lasting difference to Suffolk.
“We always welcome a diverse range of nominations, but this year we are especially keen to hear about the women who make Suffolk shine. This could be through decades of quiet volunteering, groundbreaking leadership or tireless community advocacy. We know that hundreds of women are having a profound and positive impact across the county each and every day – and we want to hear about them!
“Too often, the people who make the biggest difference are the least likely to seek recognition. That’s why your nomination is so important – it’s a chance to say thank you, shine a light on quiet heroes and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
“So please take a moment to nominate someone who inspires you so that we can make sure our next Suffolk Medal recipients reflect the full richness and diversity of our fantastic county.”
To date, 19 people have received the Suffolk Medal. These include Rebecca Crerar, CEO of Suffolk Refugee Support, who has spent over two decades advocating for the rights of refugees in the county, and Linda Hoggarth who was honoured for her work to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Further information about previous recipients is available at www.thesuffolkmedal.org.uk
Anyone is welcome to make a nomination. The person who is being nominated must:
- live in Suffolk or have made their contribution within the county, and
- have made a sustained and significant impact on their community or the county as a whole
An awards panel will meet in November to discuss the nominees, with the successful candidates presented with their medals during the 10th annual Suffolk Day, which takes place on 21 June 2026.
To nominate, visit www.thesuffolkmedal.org.uk. Please note that self-nominations cannot be accepted.