Local Service Champions

Celebrating the outstanding contributions of local government staff who go above and beyond in their role

Nominate an unsung hero working in local government

UNISON celebrates local government workers for the everyday heroes they are. Without great people running our local services, our communities would suffer. 

The Local Service Champions Awards aim to recognise the outstanding contributions of local government staff who go above and beyond in their role. Those unsung heroes who always go the extra mile to give ongoing support to our communities.

To take part you must be a UNISON member, and the person you are nominating must be a member too. The prizes are:

  • Overall winner – £500 gift card
  • Two runners up – £250 gift card
  • Winning nominators (x3) – £50 gift card
  • Winning champions will also receive an invite to UNISON’s Local Government Conference in June, where their prizes will be presented

Entries for 2026 closed on Friday 23 January. The winners will be announced in the spring.

Celebrity videos

Hear from Sunetra Sarker (actress and presenter) and Fay Ripley (actor) about how you can get involved in the 2026 Local Service Champions Awards.

Past winners

2025 Awards

The winners were presented with their prizes at the Local Government Conference in Liverpool.
Overall winner
*Paul Brannan, social care practitioner, Shetland Islands Council.

Runners up
*Vic Davis, personal advisor, Redcar and Cleveland Council.
*Naomi Elendu, social worker, Coventry City Council.

2024 Awards

The awards ceremony presentation took place at the Local Government Conference in Brighton.

Overall winner
*Alys Exley-Smith, community relations manager, Lewisham Borough Council.

Runners up
*Lisa Thomas, assistant team manager, Buckingham Council.
*Ramon Hutchingson, co-ordinator, ARCH.