The winners of the Social Change Awards were announced at the fifth awards ceremony held on 1st December 2011 in London, to celebrate the work of passionate individuals and organisations committed to making a positive impact on society. With over 600 impressive applications, the judges had a tough job short listing 3 nominees in each of the five award categories. Out of the 15 finalists, the winners were chosen by the public who cast over 4000 votes.
In her opening speech, Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive of Directory of Social Change (DSC) said, "At the core of DSC's beliefs is the idea that a better society is built through voluntary action - and that is why the bulk of our work is aimed at informing, supporting and encouraging voluntary action and charitable activity. And this event tonight is about recognising the huge achievements you all make towards creating a better society for all of us. "
Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission presented each winner and runner-up with a unique piece of art by cartoonist Grizelda, portraying their organisation and its work.
In her speech, Dame Suzi Leather paid tribute to charities, "This evening is a chance to celebrate another side of society. The one we don't hear about too often in the news. The one in which people, like you, agents for social change, collaborate to put your ideas for a better world into action. And it's a particular pleasure to see that dedication and passion recognised. "
The Children's University won the Everyday Impact - New Enterprises Award for their outstanding work in raising aspirations and promoting social mobility through providing high quality out-of-school-hours activities to children aged 7-14 years.
New Heights Warren Farm Community Project won the Everyday Impact Award - Long-term Enterprises Award for offering a cradle to grave service and support to the most vulnerable sectors of the socially deprived community of Kingstanding. The Community Development Coordinator Doreen Mooney says, "Our volunteers are so thrilled to be given such honour! It is so fantastic to be awarded for our efforts in serving our needy area. Who would have thought that every act of kindness and generosity of our volunteers and donors would give us this accolade! The award is inspiring us even more to touch local people's lives!"
Angela and Neil Dickson who won the Lifetime Achievement Award for working towards increasing the amount of high quality research into brain tumours in the UK says, "We were absolutely thrilled to win our Lifetime Achievement Award, which has been hung in pride of place already. We were delighted to meet so many wonderful people who give up so much of their precious time."
Community Development Foundation (CDF) won the Great Giving Funders Award for taking a community development approach to funding, from design through to evaluation.
Lesley Chambers, CDF Director of Programmes says, "CDF is passionate about helping communities and is absolutely delighted to receive this award, which we believe recognises this passion. We are always listening to communities to see how we can improve our grant application service to them. We never fail to be impressed by the time and commitment given by volunteers to their communities. We are pleased that they find it easy to access the funds we distribute on behalf of our sponsors. This award has given CDF even more motivation to make grant applications as easy as possible."
The Influencer Award went to Deirdre Boyd, a passionate addiction recovery advocate, who has worked tirelessly to challenge the widespread beliefs that addicted people can't recover and via UKESAD has created a forum where people can come together in a safe environment and support each other in their recovery and in addiction work.
Deirdre Boyds says, "The DSC award is a ground breaking recognition of the importance of work in helping addicts and their families to break free from addiction and turn their lives around if given the right information and support. Comments from people at the awards ceremony show how addiction has touched too many lives - but recovery has not reached them yet. The DSC award will help more people to learn that recovery is possible. I am very moved by and proud of all who voted for me and this life-changing work. That the award was won by public vote is an overwhelming validation of my work but also of recovery from addiction. Thank you!"
Runners up included: The Choir with No Name and Twisting Ducks Theatre Company for the Everyday Impact - New Enterprises Award; Everton in the Community and NMC Design & Print for the Everyday Impact - Long-term Enterprises Award; and Health & Social Care Volunteering Fund (HSCVF) and Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales for the Great Giving Funders Award. The Influencer Award runners up were Rod King and Philip Ishola, while Jack Petchey and Steve Johnson were runners up for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The judges for Social Change Awards 2011 were George Monck (Chief Executive at CleanupUK), Beverley Costa (CEO and founder of Mother Tongue), Andy Garnett (Founder of The Garnett Foundation), Caroline Diehl (Chief Executive and Founder of Media Trust), Sue Billington (Director Programme Management of Propraxis Ltd) and Paul Farmer (Chief Executive Officer MIND).
Photos and more information about the winning entries and finalists can be viewed at: http://www.socialchangeawards.org.uk/winners.html
If you wish to interview one of our award winners or need more information please contact Richard Lee, 020 7391 4881 or Jay Kennedy, 07989 187537.
The Children's University has been shortlisted at The Charity Awards 2012! To read more, please click here.
