Your chance to nominate someone you know for the 2018 Macmillan Volunteer Awards 1
Contents Welcome from our Chairs 2 Welcome from our Chairs 4 Special Recognition Awards The Corporate Volunteer Award The Deborah Hutton Award The Douglas Macmillan Award The Richard Hambro Award The Vicky Clement-Jones Award The Young Macmillan Champion Award The Service Team of the Year Award The Fundraising Group/Committee Award The Sir Hugh Dundas Volunteer of the Year Award 13 The Long Service Award 14 Top tips for nominating 15 How to submit your nomination Each year the Macmillan Volunteer Awards celebrate our amazing volunteers around the UK. These regional and national awards offer the chance to say a huge thank you for the time, care, expertise and commitment they so generously give. This October we re calling on all volunteers, Macmillan staff, corporate partners and professionals everyone connected to volunteering with Macmillan to nominate individuals or groups that deserve recognition for going the extra mile to make a difference to people living with cancer. This booklet is your guide to the award categories and to making a nomination. Whether it s for one of our Special Recognition Awards or for a Long Service Award, it s easier than ever to nominate and get someone the recognition they deserve thanks to our brand new online system. New awards for 2018 This year we ve introduced a new Service Team of the Year Award, to honour volunteer teams working together to provide services that make a real difference to people 2
affected by cancer, and a new Long Service Award for groups, for their unwavering commitment over many years. Tell us who deserves recognition Our awards are special as they are the result of volunteers nominating fellow unsung heroes that s why we re calling on you to spend a few minutes considering who you would like to put forward. All nominees receive a personal thank you letter and are entered first for a regional award, with selected regional winners also being put forward to receive a national award. Our top tips make nominating easy! Our top tips on page 14 put together by the UK Volunteer Forum can help you find the most appropriate category for your nominee, as well as helping you to put across their story in the best way. We very much look forward to receiving your nomination. With thanks Julia Palca Chairman, Macmillan Cancer Support Sue Kirk mbe mihm diphsm Vice-President, Macmillan Cancer Support Chairman, Volunteer Awards Panel So, if you know a Macmillan volunteer or team of volunteers that deserves recognition for what they do, help us say thank you by nominating them for an award. Your nominations will also help us to showcase the enormous value Macmillan volunteers bring to people with cancer and to inspire others to make their time matter for Macmillan. 3
For employees of our corporate partners who make an outstanding contribution through volunteering. An individual or group that: is employed by one of Macmillan s current corporate partners, but not specifically employed to support Macmillan demonstrates a can-do attitude and volunteers with enthusiasm and passion goes above and beyond the partnership plans by showing innovation, collaboration and drive within the corporate setting shows greater commitment than other colleagues or groups by championing Macmillan, encouraging others to get involved, and being seen as the face of Macmillan within their organisation. Robbie Newton, 2017 UK winner Assistant Branch Manager Robbie has been a tireless Charity Champion since the beginning of our partnership with Travis Perkins in 2015, driving the partnership by contacting other branches to inspire them and offer fundraising tips, and regularly giving up his weekends for the cause. In 2016 alone he took on 26 active challenges, including the London Marathon and England s longest zip wire. He also played a key role in Travis Perkins most successful fundraising event in 2016 The Tour de TP. With his infectious passion, Robbie gives everything to his volunteer role and is an outstanding ambassador for Macmillan. 4
For supporting people affected by cancer. An individual who: provides one-to-one support, offering a listening ear, or giving advice and support to people affected by cancer shows care and compassion for people affected by cancer demonstrates empathy in their volunteer role is there for people at a time of need, whether it is just one person that they make a significant difference to, or many people affected by cancer. Nina Cristinacce, 2017 UK winner Nina has drawn on her own experience of cancer and that of her parents to help others living with cancer. She became a volunteer for Macmillan Community Helpers Bangor in 2013, and has since provided invaluable support to six people with cancer, and their families. Whether offering practical help with housework, much-needed companionship, or in her role as a Cancer Voice for Macmillan, Nina always goes above and beyond for the people she supports. Her compassion shines through in everything she does. 5
For promoting Macmillan and having a significant impact. An individual or group that: acts as an ambassador or ambassadors and commits to making sure everyone knows about Macmillan uses their influence to make a significant impact in their local area for example, through fundraising or system change engages with their community by informing others about Macmillan through fundraising, promoting services, pushing for improvements in cancer care or winning corporate support demonstrates evidence of raising the profile of Macmillan for example, through networking, media coverage or social media. Dave Simpson, 2017 UK winner Since receiving support from Macmillan following an oesophageal cancer diagnosis in 2009, Dave has volunteered for Macmillan in many ways. He is a passionate volunteer speaker who is always happy to share his story, and regularly supports the local Macmillan information team at outreach events. He is a vital part of the Bedfordshire fundraising team, helping with everything from collections to corporate pitches to Coffee Morning visits. Dave also acts as a local patient representative, ensuring that cancer patients needs remain high on the agenda. 6
For inspiring leaders. An individual who: demonstrates strong leadership qualities by inspiring other volunteers displays an ability for being an outstanding motivator who guides other volunteers to deliver high impact for Macmillan in the local community demonstrates exceptional leadership skills that are recognised by the volunteers who this nominee leads leads by example and champions others. Hilary Barnes, 2017 UK winner Hilary joined the Newcastle Friends of Macmillan Committee in Staffordshire 25 years ago, making the group into the fundraising powerhouse it is today. Hilary thinks big, using her contacts and networking skills to develop innovative new fundraising events. Thanks to her, the committee s biennial black-tie balls have become the most prestigious charity events in Staffordshire. With her unwavering can-do attitude and fantastic sense of humour, Hilary leads by example, baking cakes for Coffee Morning, selling tickets and inspiring and supporting the other volunteers on the committee one of whom nominated her for this award. 7
For using a personal cancer experience to help others. An individual or group that: uses their own cancer experiences to influence others applies insight from their own cancer experiences to improve the lives of other people affected by cancer demonstrates the impact that their role makes to other people affected by cancer. Julia Featherstone, 2017 UK winner Julia was motivated to give her time to help others understand what it s like to have cancer after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2011. Julia s listeners always find her story powerful and moving. By sharing it with passion and honesty, Julia has inspired countless people to donate, volunteer their time or share their own stories. She has spoken at fundraising dinners and balls, and received a standing ovation at Macmillan s Volunteer Conference. Despite her ongoing cancer treatment, Julia turned every experience into a positive and she s an amazing asset to Macmillan. 8
For inspiring and exceptional young volunteers. An individual or group that: is, or whose members are, below the age of 25 at the time of nomination demonstrates leadership ability in their age group demonstrates evidence of activity above and beyond the standard expectation for their age contributes to Macmillan through caring for people, speaking, significant press coverage or social media activity, entrepreneurial initiatives, fundraising, or inspiring others using their own cancer experience. Adam Lyne, 2017 UK winner As an inspiring young entrepreneur, Adam realised he could combine his unique talent for online gaming with his passion for Macmillan to achieve something truly amazing. In 2014, aged just 19, Adam asked his many followers on the game Runescape to sponsor him for a 24-hour live-streamed gaming marathon to raise money for Macmillan. He repeated the challenge over the following two years, raising an astonishing 150,000. Each time, Adam told his audience about the support Macmillan offers. He has since collaborated with Macmillan to develop Game Heroes, a national 24-hour gaming challenge. 9
New Award! For passionate and determined teams supporting people affected by cancer. This new award is for a group that: provides support to Macmillan s work in a particular geographic or subject area whether helping to create positive change or supporting people affected by cancer works together to support and understand the needs and views of people affected by cancer, highlighting the importance of teamwork offers tailored support and is there for people at their time of need shows commitment and determination, above and beyond the role, to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. 10 The Service Team of the Year Award is a new category introduced by the UK Volunteer Forum and Volunteer Awards Panel. It recognises groups of volunteers who support Macmillan s work in a particular geographic or subject area, and who go above and beyond their volunteer role to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. This award recognises groups of volunteers performing a variety of different services roles from volunteer buddy schemes that provide practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer, to volunteers providing support on our online community or Macmillan Support Line, to volunteer grants advocates that help people living with cancer to access financial grants they may otherwise not know about. These are just a few of the ways in which service teams support people affected by cancer.
For exceptional achievement through teamwork. A group that: highlights the importance of teamwork by working together to achieve one clear goal inspires others to join them or to form their own fundraising groups and raise funds for Macmillan, achieving outstanding fundraising success and making a big impact in relation to the context of their local community balances its time to make a contribution to Macmillan by raising both funds and awareness. Holmfirth Committee, 2017 UK winners Since 1961, the Holmfirth Committee has raised almost 1.3 million for Macmillan and become one of our most successful fundraising committees. In 2015 the committee was without a chairperson, but this did not hamper its fundraising ability thanks to the group s winning combination of dedication, teamwork, and friendship. As it is deeply rooted in the community, the committee enjoys extraordinary local support, and its flagship event Holmfirth Artweek celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. One of the largest open art exhibitions in the UK, the event raises up to 40,000 annually for Macmillan. 11
For exceptionally passionate and committed individuals. An individual who: goes above and beyond all other criteria to make an outstanding contribution to Macmillan makes a significant commitment to Macmillan demonstrates a passion and dedication for volunteering with Macmillan and deserves recognition as the overall volunteer of the year. 12 Jackie Easton, 2017 UK winner Three years ago Jackie s life was turned upside down by cancer, motivating her to volunteer for Macmillan. Since then she s made an impact in almost every area of Macmillan s work. Jackie, alongside Macmillan staff, has developed a new volunteer service in Durham offering practical and emotional support to people with cancer who live alone. She has helped the service grow, trebling the number of volunteers in the service, and successfully pushing for the project to run at weekends. Jackie also represents volunteers on her Regional Volunteer Forum and the UK Volunteer Forum, and raised an incredible 4,300 in 2016 with a zip-wire challenge despite having a fear of heights! Macmillan is honoured to have someone as inspirational as Jackie as one of its volunteers.
For all our exceptional, long-serving volunteers. At Macmillan we reward all of our exceptional long-serving volunteers to celebrate the effort and commitment they ve shown over many years. This year we re opening up the Long Service Award to volunteer groups so that they can be recognised for their ongoing commitment and team work. Individual volunteers and groups of volunteers can be awarded for the following lengths of service: 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, 30 years, 40 years, 50 years, 60 years. This category of award is particularly dependent on the nominations of volunteer colleagues and so we are particularly thankful when such a milestone is shared with us. Volunteers being presented with their regional awards at a local volunteer event in the East of England, including; Maureen Collins, who was awarded a Fifty Year Long Service Award in 2017 13
Top tips for nominating Members of the UK Volunteer Forum, who review nominations and chair the regional award panels, have developed this checklist to help ensure your nomination has the best chance of success. 1. Are you nominating the volunteer for the correct award? Look for words in the award criteria that are relevant to their achievements. 2. Have you covered all award criteria requirements? It may help to jot down your nominee s skills, achievements and qualities before you start. For more information, see macmillan.org.uk/volunteerawards 3. Have you given details to illustrate the statements you have made about your nominee? Give evidence using vivid descriptions to show what makes their achievements special and the difference their contribution has made. 4. Have you provided some statistics (if possible) to show what your nominee has achieved? For example, rather than saying she helped raise awareness of Macmillan s services say something more detailed, like she played a key role in a national media campaign in publications including The Times, raising awareness of Macmillan s services, and 450,000. 5. Have you been clear, concise, and kept to the word limit? Making it as clear and precise as possible really is the best way to help your nominee s achievements stand out. 6. If your nominee is involved in a local initiative or annual event, have you described what it involves? The judging panel may not be aware of what is happening in your area. 7. Have you thought about nominating a volunteer for a Long Service Award? If you know a fellow volunteer who is approaching a significant volunteering milestone, we d love to hear from you. The only information you need is their name, the region they volunteer in and how long they ve been volunteering. 8. Have you read through your nomination? Ask a friend or fellow volunteer to check your submission for you so that you ve not missed anything important. 14
How to submit your nomination Nominations open on 1 October 2017 and must be submitted by 31 October 2017. Visit macmillan.org.uk/volunteerawards to make your nominations. Don t forget to read the Volunteer Forum s top tips and criteria for each award category before you submit them. What happens next? First, our regional panels select regional winners for each award category. Our UK panel then chooses national winners from the pool of regional winners. National winners receive their awards at the Volunteer Awards ceremony at Macmillan s 2018 Volunteer Conference. If you need help with your nomination or have any questions about our Volunteer Awards, please drop us a line at volunteerawards@macmillan.org.uk or call us on 020 7840 4644. Get nominating! The sooner you begin drafting your nomination the better, so why wait? Visit macmillan.org.uk/volunteerawards 15
Awarding our amazing volunteers starts with you please nominate today! Make your nomination at macmillan.org.uk/volunteerawards Closing date for nominations is 31 October 2017. Printed using sustainable material. Please recycle. Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. MAC16876_NOMBK