Local government workers are everyday heroes – the people who keep our communities running, often without fanfare or recognition. Despite years of financial cuts, shrinking teams and growing demands, they continue to step up.
This is why every year UNISON celebrates these remarkable individuals through our local service champions awards.
Local government staff play a vital role in holding our communities together. They are the people who check on vulnerable residents, maintain safe neighbourhoods, support those navigating hardship, run essential public services, and create environments where children and young people can grow and thrive. They are the backbone of our public services.
As Mike Short, head of local government at UNISON, puts it: “UNISON’s local service champions awards highlight so much of what’s great about local government staff. Every day, council workers go above and beyond to help our communities to thrive – supporting those who are vulnerable, educating and nurturing young people, making sure we all live in a safe and healthy environment, and much more besides. Our awards aim to spotlight some of the best examples of these amazing unsung heroes.”
Highlighting 2025’s Inspiring Winners
In 2025, Paul Brannan, a social care practitioner at Shetland Islands Council, was named the overall local service champion. Paul’s inspiration comes from his younger brother, who has paraplegic cerebral palsy and is non-verbal. His colleagues praised him for transforming the ‘assertive community transitions’ team, introducing new, more efficient ways of working that have had a profound impact on the people they support.
Two runners-up were also recognised for their exceptional contributions:
- Vic Davis, a personal advisor in the leaving care team at Redcar and Cleveland Council, who supports young people as they take their first steps toward independent living
- Naomi Elendu, a social worker at Coventry City Council, celebrated for her expertise in child protection and cross-cultural practice. She also founded Thrivewell Resources, bringing mental health support to Black and Caribbean communities through outreach in schools and churches
The nomination period for the 2026 local service champions awards opens on 1 December and closes on 23 January.
UNISON members from any sector can nominate a member working in local government. Simply complete the short online form in the link above explaining why your nominee deserves to be recognised.
This is your chance to shine a spotlight on someone whose work truly makes a difference.
Prizes
- Overall winner: £500 gift card
- Two runners-up: £250 gift card each
- Three winning nominators: £50 gift card each
- The winning champions will also be invited to UNISON’s Local Government Conference in June 2026, where their awards will be formally presented.
Local government workers rarely seek recognition – but they deserve it. The local service champions awards are an opportunity for all of us to say thank you to the people who make our communities stronger, safer, and fairer every single day.
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