Back in 2014, the inaugural Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards set the scene for celebrating the work of small, not-for-profit providers of care who were quietly beavering away, bringing positivity to people’s lives with innovation, creativity and flair. Today, the celebration is bigger and better than ever, shining a spotlight on the hard work, dedication and commitment of individuals working in the UK’s third sector. As we look forward to receiving 2024’s nominations, we reflect on the part the Awards have had to play in showcasing wonderful work in the care arena over the last decade.
Celebrating the great work you do
If you’ve had the privilege and pleasure of attending the Awards ceremony at some point in its history, you’ll know how seriously the great work you’re doing on a daily basis is commemorated. Even if you’ve never been nominated – maybe we just don’t know about you yet! – the act of coming together to celebrate these individuals and organisations has a wider purpose that affects you too: it’s shining a spotlight on how many individuals and providers are going the extra mile and expanding awareness to the wider community about how important the work you’re doing really is.
The different award categories – from creative arts, community engagement and innovation, to quality improvements, integration, technology and governance – are based on specific strategies from Government and the sector and have evolved over time to maintain relevance in an ever-changing landscape. The Awards celebrate providers who are relevant today, moving with the times and giving the best possible service to everyone who crosses their path.
A success story
Jo Boddington is one such provider, winning the Community Engagement Award at the first-ever Awards Ceremony back in 2014 for the work being done at Bodster Equine Assisted Learning Centre on the Isle Wight, where people develop a range of skills, improving their self-esteem, understanding their own behaviour and increasing their emotional intelligence in a supervised horse environment.
Jo recalls, ‘There were more than 200 finalists, guests and board members of supporting organisations, including the National Care Forum, gathered to celebrate the best of care and support services with an innovative and inspiring awards event. We were presented with our winning trophy for our work in engaging learners of all ages in the community. The highlight of the event, which I remember so clearly, was being presented with the award by Esther Rantzen and we gave her one of our Never Too Old booklets, which is about our project working with older people in the community. I would be interested to know if she read it!’
Since winning the award in 2014, the business has gone from strength to strength and the team works with anyone aged six to 90. Jo continues, ‘Since 2014, we have continued to develop our service and have more and more referrals coming our way for people to come and spend time with our herd of ponies on the ground (no riding involved). Being recognised at the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards has certainly raised our profile in the local community and has helped people understand a bit more how being with ponies can help your mental health, so we want to really thank the Awards staff for recognising what we do.’
Like Jo, many winners have experienced a business boost after being presented with their award. All finalists get the chance to interact with leaders in the sector, including chief executives and directors of national organisations, who have been known to offer their expertise and advice for future projects after the event, which has been a real boon for some. Usually, small providers don’t have the funds for input from industry leaders, so this can be a golden ticket for those wanting to spread their magic further.
Often, you don’t get to share your achievements – you’re too busy achieving them! – but being part of the Awards gives all our finalists the chance to shout about what makes their offering special and allows all winners to share their stories on stage when being presented with their award. Winners also get to join us here at CMM Magazine, where readers are introduced to each winner in a dedicated feature to inspire future entrants to grow and keep moving forward.
The judging process
Each judge over the years has been a well-renowned expert in social care who is passionate about learning all about the work you do, especially if you think outside the box, display extraordinary amounts of compassion or go above and beyond the call of duty to create a service that transforms lives.
The judging process is meticulously planned and comprises two stages. Firstly, eligible nominations are passed to the judging panel for shortlisting and three finalists are selected. Secondly, those finalists are invited to an online interview, where they meet the panel and discuss their contribution to the sector. Finalists are then invited to the sparkling Awards Ceremony: a three-course lunch extravaganza with entertainment and a presentation by an esteemed host such as Dame Esther Rantzen or Angela Rippon CBE.
A whole crowd of remarkable individuals come together in the same room to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of those working in the sector, from those helping the homeless to realise a better future, to others giving children a safe home to live in, to people working with those who have experienced domestic abuse, to hospices providing dignified end of life care, to care home accountants going the extra mile, to chief executives working for their staff on creating more fulfilling lives – and more. We hear from employees working at all levels; we hear from large organisations and those with only one or two members of staff. A glorious range of caring and compassionate people all working to better the lives of others, all coming together under one roof to celebrate in style.
Looking forward to 2024
Whether you’re supporting children or adults, the Awards reward the true excellence of those of you who are making a positive difference to people’s lives in the not-for-profit third sector. Organised by CMM, developed in conjunction with the National Care Forum and with the help of a raft of fantastic sponsors, the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards enable everyone who participates to share the incredible work they’ve been doing to support vulnerable people.
It’s been a pleasure to organise and host these Awards since 2014 and we look forward to the next decade of annual celebrations and to meeting yet more innovative and wonderful people working in the third sector. Next year, it could be you. And why not? If you’re brilliant at what you do, we want to hear from you! To nominate yourself or someone else for the 2024 Awards, head over to www.caremanagementmatters.co.uk/3rd-sector-care-awards
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