Earlier this year, local communities were called upon to nominate individuals and their affiliated organisations whose work promotes social wellbeing and harmony in their area.

All Canberra finalists in the Local Hero program are in the running for a $10,000 grant, with the public to vote for the winners.

Three grants will be awarded per Westfield Centre.

Westfield Belconnen centre manager Clare Rodgers said they had been overwhelmed with the number of nominations received in their second year of the program.

"It's a true testament to the work of our Local Hero nominees in our community," she said.

"To be able to connect with these deserving people and understand the stories of how they help others is a real privilege and we are excited to be able to recognise them through this program."

Vote at www.westfield.com.au/local-heroes until Monday, August 12. Winners will be announced on October 1.

The full list of finalists are:

Westfield Belconnen

Ben Shipard, Marathon Health Ltd t/a Headspace Canberra

Ben Shipard is the kind of volunteer every charity needs. One week he'll be sharing strategic ideas at a conference, the next he will be cooking at a youth refuge. Ben's passion is youth mental health, and he works tirelessly with headspace Canberra to encourage people to seek help if they need it.

Through his outreach work, he reduces the stigma of mental illness and helps people recognise mental health issues in themselves and others. Ben often provides a welcoming and non-judgmental first point of contact for people seeking information about headspace.

If Ben is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, Marathon Health Ltd t/a headspace Canberra will use its grant to help fund educational programs in the local community and to pay for Reference Group representatives to attend events and visit schools to engage with young people.

Bill Caddey, Belconnen Community Services

Bill Caddey was a primary school teacher for 25 years and strongly believes all children deserve an opportunity to do their best. As network co-ordinator at Belconnen Community Services, he works with teachers and caseworkers to identify the support families need to help them achieve this.

"My role is to bring people together to address needs in our community. The aim is to build a young person's confidence and skills so they can develop a sense of belonging and in turn be able to make a positive contribution," Bill said.

If Bill is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, Belconnen Community Services will use its grant to help fund the Variety Every Chance to Play Program, which sponsors children from vulnerable families to join their mates at local sports teams, which costs $200 a year.

Camille Schloeffel, The STOP Campaign

Camille Schloeffel could have been put off by the cynics who said she was too young and inexperienced to start a student movement against sexual violence. But the 21-year-old Australian National University student persevered, raising a small amount of money to launch the STOP Campaign and raising a lot of awareness. With her team of 25 volunteers, Camille is bringing about cultural change at the university and educating students about consent, becoming an effective bystander and students' responsibilities to each other.

"The vision is for Australian university communities to be free from sexual violence and stigmatisation," Camille said.

If Camille is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, The STOP Campaign will use this for marketing and to produce educational material similar to its popular Revealing Truths & Breaking Stigmas zine and video series which share stories to raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of sexual violence.

Hannah Andrevski, Roundabout Canberra

Hannah Andrevski was on maternity leave when she decided to help families going through hard times source essential items. Despite having her newborn and a toddler to care for, she worked hard to start Roundabout Canberra, redistributing safety-checked car seats, cots and prams as well as linen, clothing and toys.

Hannah had no experience running a charity, but she recruited volunteers and helped more than 400 children within her first 12 months.

"We believe every child deserves a safe start and every family deserves dignity," she said.

Natalie Malcolmson, BPD Awareness ACT

Natalie Malcolmson gave up her public service career in 2016 to care for her husband, who has borderline personality disorder (BPD), a complex and often misunderstood mental illness. She was horrified by the lack of affordable support in ACT, so she sought training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which has improved her and her husband's quality of life. She also set up BPD Awareness ACT to offer affordable community support.

"Learning DBT skills changes the lives of those with BPD and their families," Natalie said. "It is an evidence-based treatment for those who are highly suicidal."

If Natalie is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, BPD Awareness ACT will use its grant to help fund the cost of hiring a venue for group sessions for a year. The money would also be used to run a course for parents of children with BPD and to pay for community awareness activities.

Tim Daly, This Is My Brave Australia Inc.

Tim Daly's infectious enthusiasm helps people believe they can do things they haven't tried before. He uses this quality to reduce the stigma of mental illness by encouraging people to share their lived experience through live theatre events organised by This Is My Brave Australia (TIMBA).

Tim started TIMBA because of the stigma he felt after he gave up his high-powered corporate career because of anxiety and depression and to care for his wife, who has multiple sclerosis (MS).

"Through expressing themselves and being involved in a collaborative venture, people feel less stigmatised," Tim said.

If Tim is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, TIMBA will use its grant to hire more venues for more shows. As the organisation is funded only by donations and ticket sales, it has not been able to meet the growing demand. A portion of the funds would also be used to expand its reach through the internet.

Westfield Woden

Alexandra Van Der Toorn, Woden Community Service

Alexandra (Sandy) Van Der Toorn goes above and beyond to help isolated, elderly people make new friends. She uses her own car to pick up people so they don't miss out on activities she organises in her role as a social group co-ordinator for Woden Community Service. She also uses her own time and money to bake cakes for clients and visits them in hospital with her beautiful therapy dog, Honey, by her side.

"We see such lovely results with our group activities, people laughing and dancing and improving their fitness and mobility," Sandy said.

If Sandy is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, Woden Community Service will be able to provide more support to the most marginalised group members, including special outings, meals or even a short break away from home.

Carey Russell, Children's Tumor Foundation

Carey Russell jumped in to help people with neurofibromatosis after she was diagnosed with the genetic disorder that leads to disfiguring tumours. She has become the primary ACT representative for the Children's Tumour Foundation, which supports people with the condition and funds research into a cure.

As a volunteer, Carey manages fundraising events, supports families online or by phone and has rallied businesses and politicians to increase awareness.

Carey promotes inclusivity by showing the community how to celebrate difference and rise above one's circumstances. "Tumours should never be anyone's normal," she said.

If Carey is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, the Children's Tumour Foundation will use the funds for its annual family camps which help children with neurofibromatosis and their families feel less stressed and isolated.

Kristen Pratt, Capital Nordic Walking

Kristen Pratt is on a mission to get people of all ages to improve their health while having fun. She founded Capital Nordic Walking to share her passion for Nordic fitness walking, which involves walking poles and specialised techniques.

Kristen has arranged free walks for more than 1000 Canberrans, including those with serious illnesses and the frail elderly.

"The camaraderie gives people the motivation to make exercise a habit, reduce stress and their risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease," she said

"We see the life-changing benefits of Nordic walking every day."

If Kristen is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, Capital Nordic Walking will use the funds to cover the cost of developing a much-needed volunteer network, including training, insurance and equipment.

Kristine Hewett, Philanthropize Pty Ltd

Kristine Hewett is working to fill a gap in support for domestic violence or sexual abuse survivors. Aware there are many prevention and crisis support services but little in the way of ongoing support, she and her business partner set up Philanthropize, a company focused on raising awareness and funds to support women. They also set up Adamas Nexus, a monthly self-help support group for women after they have passed the crisis period.

"Now we want to expand to help more women throughout Canberra and Australia," Kristine said

If Kristine is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, Philanthropize will use the funds to expand from one meeting per month to six.

Robert de Castella, The Indigenous Marathon Foundation

Marathon great Robert de Castella is proud of his sporting feats but says his greatest achievement has been helping Indigenous Australians. The Commonwealth Games marathon champion and Olympian founded and directs the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.

Through its Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) and Deadly Running Groups, which include more than 5000 runners, the foundation promotes running for a healthy lifestyle.

"Indigenous Australians are significantly disadvantaged compared with other Australians, highlighted by an approximate 10-year gap in life expectancy, lower education levels, unemployment and chronic disease," Robert, who was Australian of the Year in 1983, said.

If Robert is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, the Indigenous Marathon Foundation will host a three-day coaching workshop for IMP graduates and run leaders.

Thomas Campagna, PARTY Program

After surviving a terrible car crash caused by a drug-affected driver, teenager Thomas (TJ) Campagna wants to keep other young people safe on our roads.

TJ shares his story with other young people through the PARTY Program, a charity that helps school students understand the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The talks are held at Canberra Hospital, where doctors, nurses and trauma patients help educate the students.

If TJ is one of the successful recipients of a Westfield Local Heroes grant, the PARTY Program will be able to provide more education sessions.