Communications and campaigns
Any questions
Below are answers to common questions about the awards.
If you have any queries that are not covered below, please email tdclawards@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
When will I know if my nomination has been chosen to be a finalist or not?
Following the nomination closing date on 31 august, nominations will be judged by a regional and national judging panel. the judging period is likely to take a few weeks however it is envisaged that all judging will be complete by the end of October 2009. Following this all nominees will receive a letter setting out the judges decision.
Who is eligible for an award?
The Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards are open to all who work or volunteer within any sector of the drugs field, be that prevention, education, treatment or enforcement. Practitioners from both public and voluntary sectors are eligible, though all nominees must work for a recognised organisation. There are six categories under which people can be nominated and two national awards are available. See the nomination criteria page for advice and information on who is eligible for the awards.
Can I nominate myself/my team?
Drug workers are not allowed to nominate themselves for an award. The Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Awards are designed to give other the chance to nominate an indivual or team they know is making a real differnce in their community.
A member of a team is allowed to submit a nomination for their own team or an alternative team. Anyone from colleagues, to friends and family members, to ex-service users can make a nomination.
Can I nominate more than one person/team?
You can nominate as many people or teams that meet with the nomination criteria as you want. See the nomination criteria page for advice and information on who is eligible for the awards.
Can I nominate a person/team if they have already won an award before?
All drug workers and teams are eligible for the awards, regardless of whether they have entered into or won any previous awards.
How do you define a team?
For nominees in the 'team' category we are interested in how a group of people have come together to make a difference and have worked together to achieve the same objectives. The term 'team' doesn't necessarily mean they have to work in the same organisation.
How can I make a nomination?
Go to the make a nomination page to download a nomination form, which can be returned electronically or via post.
What are the judges looking for?
The judges are looking for those who make a significant difference to their lives of their service use and/or people in their local community. See the nomination criteria page for example of what the judges will be looking for.
How many winners are there and how will they be chosen?
The judges will choose five finalist for each of the six categories. From these 30 finalists the judges will chose two overal winners. All entrants will be judged on the criteria laid out on the nomination criteria page.
Do all the finalists win a prize?
Only the two overall winners will win up to £10,000 grant for their project or organisation.
What can the prize money be used for?
The two overal winners will receive a grant of £10,000 for their organisations to spend on continuing, expanding or improving their work in the drugs field.
How/When do we find out who the winners are?
The winners will be announced national and regionally on 9 December 2009 at an awards ceremony.
