THE outstanding achievements of those individuals and organisations who make a genuine difference to our town’s communities were once again celebrated at the 2026 Harlow Civic Awards on Thursday 21 May.

Each year, the awards ceremony is held before Annual Council. The contenders in the four categories – Citizens of the Year, Sport and Culture, Young Citizens of the Year and Community Groups of the Year – are nominated by the public and selected by a panel of councillors.

Joseph Atkinson (nominated by Councillor Dan Swords)

Joe, who is currently studying for his GCSEs, joined the Rainbow Services Youth Project in 2024, and has since completed a Level 1 Heath and Safety and Carpentry Hand Skills course. His support of others as a Peer Mentor earned him a Jack Petchey Award for Outstanding Achiever.

He has contributed to a number of community building projects at Princess Alexandra Hospital and local housing sites, been a lead mentor on a residential trip to Wales and played an active role as part of the Pedal Power team, building and maintaining bikes for locals with no alternative transport to get to work.