Michael Whippman Client Involvement Award 2012

This year’s entries have now been shortlisted! See below for details of the successful 4 applicants.

ABOUT THE AWARD

Award flyer                         Application form                   

The Michael Whippman Award focuses on the contributions of homeless people themselves. The award was set up to challenge stereotypes about who is and can become homeless, whilst also showing homeless people that anything is possible.

This year the award was looking to find the best example of a project that uses physical activity to improve the well being of its’ clients. We were looking for activities that are led by or involve clients in their development.

Looking after our well being isn’t always easy, especially whilst homeless or living in temporary accommodation. Regular physical activity offers a way to improve an individual’s well being and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety across all age groups. Physical activity isn’t just about keeping fit. It can help us to sleep well, feel calmer and feel better about ourselves. Physical activity does not necessarily need to be particularly intense to feel good; walking, swimming, jogging, gardening, dancing, anything; the important thing is that everybody has the opportunity to do something.

We are pleased to announce that the 4 shortlisted entries are:

  1. 1. The Homeless Games
  2. 2. Climb Aboard from Porchlight
  3. 3. The Inspire Project from Stonham Home Group
  4. 4. Gone Fishing from Threshold

Over the next month we will be producing a short video documentary of each of the shortlisted applicants that will be shown and judged on by the delegates at our Annual Conference in July.  We wish each of them the bext of luck!

If you have any queries on the awards, please do not hesitate to contact us on:
020 7840 4461
awards@homelesslink.org.uk

WHO Could have ENTERed

We accepted entries from all types and sizes of project into the awards. Each entry had to be either led by or involve homeless people.

WHAT weRE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR

All applicants will be judged on the following criteria:

  • extent to which homeless clients are involved within the activity
  • degree to which the activity is inclusive
  • demonstrative impact on improved well-being
  • impact of the activity on other outcomes
  • links with the wider community
  • degree to which the activity is innovative or is run in an innovative way
  • sustainability of/ future plans for the activity.

HOW TO ENTER

Entrants were required to complete a short application form. Please note that we strongly encouraged all client led applications.

PRIZE

The top 2 short-listed entrants will receive a cash prize of:
1st place:    £650
2nd place:   £350 

The prize fund will be given to the winning, individual project or activity and not the overall service.

We will be producing a short video documentary of each of the shortlisted applicants that will be shown and judged on by the delegates at our Annual Conference in July. These will then be available for the shortlisted applicants to keep and use for marketing purposes. The videoing will take place during May.

The top 4 short-listed entrants will also be eligible for two free one-day delegate places at Homeless Link’s Annual Conference in July, (at least one of these places must be taken by a homeless client involved in the physical activity). The winning entry will also feature in Connect (Homeless Link’s quarterly magazine), on the website, and in a press release that will be sent to the press for promotional purposes.

DEADLINE

The deadline for applications was Friday 27 April 2012.