Oxfordshire has more than 100,000 people giving up their free time to help people in their community. This week is National Volunteers’ Week and Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) is celebrating by asking the county’s charities and community groups to shout about their amazing volunteers.

Never before has the voluntary sector been more in the national spotlight and now it’s time to nominate an outstanding volunteer for an accolade at this year’s prestigious Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards, before nominations close in just over one week.

Winning volunteers will be invited to a special event at Oxford Town Hall on October 23, made possible through the generous support of sponsors from Oxfordshire’s business community.

And it’s not just these dedicated volunteers that OCVA wants to hear about. The Awards will also celebrate the fantastic work of Oxfordshire’s charities, voluntary groups and community projects — however large or small. Organisations can nominate themselves for as many of the nine categories as they like: Charity of the Year, Best new group, Lifetime achievement award, Best fundraising work, Environmental award, Management of volunteers, Partnership award, Best use of online tools, Best community project.

Last year’s Charity of the Year winner went to Restore, which supports people with mental health issues. The group said that winning the Award has helped them raise the profile of their work and it is a positive thing to tell potential funders.

It’s so easy and quick to nominate; download a volunteer or charity nomination form from the OCVA website, or telephone OCVA if you do not have access to the Internet. Then explain in no more than 200 words why you think your chosen volunteer or group should receive the title you have nominated them for. No need for supporting documents or report writing! Nominations will be judged by an independent panel.

Last year, around 400 people attended the ceremony to see over 40 volunteers honoured, along with 10 organisation winners chosen from 80 nominations. The Prime Minister sent a special message, and collaborations were formed between some of the business sponsors and winning organisations. Nominations for volunteers and organisations must be received by OCVA no later than 5pm on Monday, June 18. The shortlist will be announced in July. For full details visit www.ocva.org.uk/awards2012 or telephone 01865 251946.