Big Society Awards: nomination guidance notes
Updated 28 August 2015
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/big-society-awards-nomination-guidance/big-society-awards-nomination-guidance-notes
1. Nomination process
1.1 Who can make a nomination?
Anyone, including people who benefit from the group or organisation’s activities, may make a nomination.
Nominations should have at least one other independent person that has agreed to second the nomination. This person should not be on the committee of your organisation or be family or close friends.
Occasionally, the Prime Minister may himself personally nominate an organisation that he believes exemplifies the Big Society.
1.2 When should I send in my nomination?
The awards are an on-going process.
1.3 Can you give me any advice on completing the nomination form?
Complete the form accurately and tell us as much as you can within the number of words or characters allowed, and follow the instructions in each section.
It is important that you provide full, but concise information about the group or organisation that you are nominating, and explain exactly what they are doing. It’s helpful to include numbers and statistics to demonstrate impact.
If you need help or advice to complete the form, please use the contact details at the end of this document.
1.4 Can I tell someone that they have been nominated?
Yes and we may contact the group or organisation directly to clarify points that you have made on the nomination form.
1.5 Will every group that is nominated receive an award?
No, the award will not go to every group that is nominated.
1.6 What proof of support must I provide?
On the form you must give the name of at least one supporter for the nomination, and their relationship to the project, group or organisation. This should be someone who is independent from the project, group or organisation, for example a funder, someone who has benefitted from the activity described in the nomination form or a Member of Parliament.
1.7 What happens after I send in my nomination?
We will send an acknowledgement, but we will not be able to discuss a particular nomination while it is being considered or if it does not succeed.
1.8 Can I send extra information with my nomination, eg an annual report or promotional material?
Please do not send any additional material. Your nomination will only be judged by the information on the nomination form. If we require extra information we will contact you or the person, group or organisation that you are nominating directly.
2. Criteria
2.1 Is the award for international activities?
The organisation or group’s work should be based within the United Kingdom.
2.2 What will a successful group or organisation receive?
The winners each receive:
- a certificate
- a press release that appears on GOV.UK Big Society Awards page and that the Number 10 staff then circulate to the local and regional press in the winner’s home area
3. Enquiries
Big Society Awards
c/o Office for Civil Society
Floor 4 Desk Bank 9
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ
4. Confidentiality and security
Any information you provide will be held securely and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Your personal details will not normally be disclosed to third parties. In some circumstances however we may need to disclose your personal details to a third party so that they can provide a service you have requested, or fulfil a request for information. Any information about you that we pass to a third party will be held securely by that party, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, and used only to provide the services or information you have requested.
You have a right to access the personal information we hold about you at any time. If you wish to do this, please put your request in writing (explaining that your interest is in the Big Society Award) to the Freedom of Information team: