Organisations that are registered users of the BMEspark website are invited to enter the BMEspark Awards for 2007 that recognise excellence and innovation in responding to the support needs of vulnerable people in Black and minority ethnic communities. Registration and online access to BMEspark is free for SP-funded service providers and commissioners until 31 March 2007 at www.bmespark.org.uk
The BMEspark Awards are in their third year. The 2006 BMEspark Award winners were: Tuntum Housing Association, the Awaredressers Project (Barnet PCT), Merseyside Probation Area, and Norfolk Supporting People, Norfolk District Council for Norfolk Travellers Accommodation and Advisory Service. Read more about the winners and commendations at bmespark.org.uk.
There are three Awards categories for providers and commissioners in 2007. Also, entries will be recommended for publication on the BMEspark website.
The deadline for entries is Friday 30 March 2007. The announcements and presentations will be made at the BMEspark Conference on 3 May 2007. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to receiving your entry.
Entry categories are for demonstrable excellence and innovation responding to the support needs of BME vulnerable people in the following categories:
Category 1. identifying diverse support needs of black and minority ethnic vulnerable people: Service Providers or Commissioners.
Category 2. improving support services for black and minority ethnic vulnerable people: Service Providers.
Category 3. effective commissioning of culturally sensitive/specific support services for black and minority ethnic vulnerable people: Commissioners.
For more detail about the criteria, see below.
To be eligible to enter any of the Awards categories:
The closing date for entries is Friday 30 March 2007.
Entries that have been shortlisted are due to be announced by 16 April 2007.
The awards will be presented at the BMEspark conference in London on 3 May 2007. Visit www.bmespark.org.uk for the latest information.
The judging panel will include practitioners, policy makers and researchers.
The judges will look for evidence of ways in which the entrant organisation has worked to understand local support needs to develop services that are valued by Black and minority ethnic service users and communities. In general the judges will look for organisations that have activities/projects that:
Winners will be awarded in the following specific categories and in addition commendations may also be awarded. Entries will be recommended for publication on the BMEspark website.
Category 1. Excellence and innovation by Service Providers or Commissioners in identifying diverse support needs of black and minority ethnic vulnerable people. The judges will look for effective approaches to involvement of Black and minority ethnic service users and providers; customer care; or access to services and information, bearing in mind the particular needs and concerns of those living in either urban or rural areas.
Category 2. Excellence and innovation by Service Providers in improving support services for black and minority ethnic vulnerable people. The judges will look for effective approaches to producing positive outcomes for vulnerable people from black and minority ethnic communities in either urban or rural areas.
Category 3. Excellence and innovation by Commissioners in effective commissioning of culturally sensitive/ specific services for black and minority ethnic vulnerable people. The judges will look for effective approaches to the commissioning services with demonstrable benefits to meet particular support needs of vulnerable black and minority ethnic communities in either urban or rural areas.
1. Entries should be made using the BMEspark 2007 Awards Entry Form. All three sections should be completed. The form can be completed either online at www.bmespark.org.uk or downloaded and returned by email to bmespark@lemosandcrane.co.uk.
2. Entries must be accompanied by a Supporting Statement that is up to 1,800 words in total, the content of which is correct at the time of writing and can be substantiated by the organisation if needed.
3. Receipt of all entries will be acknowledged.
4. Shortlist entrants may be asked to provide further information.
5. The judges' decision is final and awards will be made at their discretion. Not all the awards advertised will be awarded if the judges consider that the criteria have not been met. Additional commendations may be made at the judges' discretion.
6. The content of any entry may be used for informing other members of BMEspark and for publicity purposes unless the entrant withholds their consent to this in writing.
7. Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and procedures and to have agree to be bound by them when entering this competition.