Why enter

There are lots of awards out there for organisations providing support, so why enter ours?

Being a part of the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards doesn’t mean being given a trophy and certificate if you win (although winners do receive both). There are many benefits to you and your organisation or project, for winners and finalists too.

Free to enter

The Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards are free to enter. We know that as a not-for-profit service, you might not have lots of cash to spare. We want to recognise groups and organisations of all sizes, not just those large enough to be able to afford an entry fee.

All finalists will also be offered two free tickets to attend the Ceremony, where the winners will be announced.

Building relationships

Our online judging day is about more than just choosing winners. As a finalist, you’ll be able to interact with leaders in the sector, including chief executives and directors of national organisations. It’s not uncommon for judges to get in touch with finalists after the Awards to offer their expertise, guidance and input, or to discuss possibilities of working together on future projects.

The Ceremony also gives you the chance to speak with others in the sector, learn from what they’re doing and establish lasting relationships. On the day you'll also have the chance to meet our wonderful sponsors and find out how they could improve your business. Find out more about them here.

Share your achievements

Attended by national associations, Care Quality Commission leaders and influential supporters, the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards Ceremony is an ideal platform for winners to share their stories.

All winners are interviewed on stage by our host, Sally Lindsay MBE, who is best known for her roles in 'Coronation Street', 'The Madame Blanc Mysteries', 'Cold Call' and many others. Sally is an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society in loving memory of her Grandmother Ellen, as well as the President of the Women of the Year Award. We look forward to having Sally as our host and we're positive that she will provide support and encouragement to our finalists and winners. You can read more about Sally's achievements and reflections in our CMM magazine.

Be featured in CMM

All winners will be given the exclusive opportunity to write about their project in CMM magazine or online, reaching 30,000 readers.

A dedicated 1,000-word article will be featured in each edition of the magazine, showcasing the excellent and innovative people and projects that won.

Expand your reach

All finalists’ and winners’ stories will be shared via the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards and CMM social media pages, with a reach of over 11,000 people, as well as via CMM’s associated networks.

Winners’ articles in CMM will also be shared widely.

Connect, learn, and influence with free NCF membership  

All finalists receive three months' free membership of the National Care Forum (NCF), the leading voice for not-for-profit adult social care. By bringing together more than 170 not-for-profit organisations, the NCF creates a powerful collective voice that influences policy and decision-making, contributes to sector-leading research, and drives innovation, including through our digital transformation programmes and our annual Care Innovation Challenge.

As an NCF member, team members from across your organisation can be part of something bigger: a collaborative community that shares expertise and works together to shape change. Your team will also benefit from learning and development opportunities and regular updates on the latest developments across adult social care, as well as exclusive access to trusted support, specialist expertise, and member savings.

Connect with the wider sector

Although CMM is the organiser of the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards, the magazine is closely connected with other sector-specific brands, which will share winners’ and finalists’ achievements.

These include Care Choices, a website for those actively seeking social care support, from day services through to end of life care, and My Family, Our Needs, a site for parents of children with additional needs, providing a space for information and sharing.

---

Be sure to follow our social platforms @3rdSectorCare to stay up to date!