Dandara won the award for Sharing our Freedom to Flourish at last year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence.

This is a very special award, given by the Isle of Man Government and it is open to any organisation, large or small, from business, public, charitable or voluntary sectors.

The winner must demonstrate how they have fulfilled their commitment to the Isle of Man’s Freedom to Flourish strategy which includes ensuring that everyone who lives here feels a part of our supportive community and is able to reach their full potential.

They must also show how their values and practices align with the Isle of Man’s values of resilience, resourcefulness, independent thinking and community loyalty.

Dandara, the island’s largest home builder, is also a great supporter of community events such as the Guild. It is committed to an environmental policy which aims to minimise waste and emissions, recycle, and create more sustainable developments.

Ciaran Downey, Dandara’s housing director, said: ’We were honoured to receive the Isle of Man Government Award for Sharing Our Freedom to Flourish at the 2019 Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence.

’Freedom to Flourish is rooted in the Isle of Man’s values of resilience, resourcefulness, independent thinking and community loyalty, and these are values that we pride ourselves on and which have been central to our business over the last 32 years.

’This has been an extraordinary year in which the island’s businesses and wider community have pulled together to support each other through very challenging circumstances, exemplifying the island’s motto "Whithersoever you throw it, it will stand" .

’The awards are a perfect opportunity to recognise this and we would encourage all local businesses, organisations and individuals to take the plunge and get involved in this fantastic community initiative.’

â?¢The Awards for Excellence offers a wide range of awards with the emphasis on community involvement in this extraordinary year. Categories include Doing the Impossible During the Pandemic, Our Local Heroes and Business Supporting Our Community.

The awards are open to businesses of all sizes, individuals, charitable and cultural organisations and public sector teams and you can enter more than one category. If you need advice about which category to enter and what makes a good entry you can call Trudi Williamson on 695694

You will find full information and download entry forms at www.excellence-awards.com . Entries close on Friday, January 15, 2021.