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Nomination hub: Tips, winners and FAQs

Nominating someone for a Stephenson Award is a chance for you to celebrate a shining star. Check out our top tips to help your nomination stand out

On this page you'll find: Tips on writing a stand-out nomination | 2025 winners | FAQs

6 tips to writing a stand-out nomination

  1. Please pay attention to any guidance on the top of each nomination form – it will explain the category and nominee eligibility in further detail.
  2. Include specific examples that showcase your nominee’s achievements or efforts – it’s all in the detail (but be mindful of the word limit).
  3. Tell us how the hard work of your nominee has gone on to have a wider impact on Action for Children and our vision to keep children safe and happy.
  4. Write from the heart – we want to know why your nominee has inspired you to nominate them.
  5. Avoid complicated language or jargon – your nomination will be read by a panel of judges that may include young people and people outside of Action for Children.
  6. Only include information that your nominee would be happy to share with others.

Ready to get writing?

Nominations for 2026 are now closed

2025 winners

Remember, winners from last year's awards are not eligible to win again in 2026. Here's who won in 2025:

  • Inspirational Caregiver
    • Carol and Allan Kerr
    • Heather Horsburgh
  • Young Shining Star:
    • Keira
    • Miracle
    • Makenzie
    • Harry
    • Shaun
    • Tae
    • Cady
  • Outstanding Volunteer
    • Sam Richins
  • Supporter Achievement
    • Nicola Bogle
    • Ken Dunkerley
  • Young Person’s Choice
    • Ann and Trevor Sellar
  • Chair’s Award
    • This award went to an exceptional young person who shared their experiences to help others.
  • Service of the Year
    • Maybrook House
    • Dorset Nightstop
  • Employee excellence:
    • Rachael Gilthorpe
    • Katy Stittle
    • Natalie Griffin
    • Jo Bradley
    • Janie Brown
  • Walter Tull Award
    • Emma Boulton
    • Nicola Gubbins

Nominations for 2026 are now closed

FAQs

Yes! We’d love to receive as many nominations as possible, and hear all about the amazing work done by our staff, volunteers and supporters.

No, if your nominee won an award last year, then they won’t be eligible to win the same award again this year.

You could consider nominating them for one of the other awards if your nominee fits one of those.

Yes! But please do make sure you read about each award first and try not to give the same answers for the different award categories.

We need the nominations to have enough detail to showcase the nominee, but to be the highlights of each nominee.

Yes, when you submit your nomination, you’ll receive a copy of it to your email address. If you’re worried that it hasn’t submitted, you can always contact us at [email protected] to check.

No, the nomination forms won’t save your entry, so you’ll need to complete it in one go.

Yes, please do! The long service awards compliment the other categories, so are not mutually exclusive.

Yes, we plan to live stream the awards ceremony, so this will be available for all members of staff to watch.

Nominations for 2026 are now closed