Philip Lawrence Awards Network

Our youth judging panel tell you how to put together a strong nomination.

What are you looking for as judges?

• We are looking to know exactly what the group is all about – what you are achieving in your community, why you stand out, how you are making a difference, what have you overcome. Make us think ‘wow this group is awesome!’ You need to sell yourselves!
• Although many winning groups have adult support, the awards are for young people and we are looking for young people who have real involvement and take a lead.
• A project that is inclusive and diverse.
• A project where young people make a difference and the young people themselves benefit.
• A project that challenges the status quo.
• A project with plans to expand – this shows your project is really making a difference!
• Evidence that your project has had an impact.
• A few photographs or a short film can help bring it to life.
• An idea of how long your project has been running and where you are heading in the future. Will winning an award make a difference?
• Young people are having FUN.

What mistakes did you see that people should avoid?

• Not reading each section properly and answering what is asked.
• Not including evidence.
• Not including the ages and numbers of young people that are involved.
• Not disclosing the extent of help they young people receive from adults. It is better to state how much help they get than for the judges to think it is too adult led.
• Including irrelevant information and going off on tangents.
• Boring entries which don’t get across a personal feel.
• Not being clear – sometimes it is hard to find exactly how/what the group does.
• Sending too much information – we don’t have time to look through loads of stuff, so think carefully about what to include that tells your story the best.

Did you find yourself reading an entry and thinking ‘if only they had…’?

• Had included comments from young people about what they get out of the project and WHY they are involved.
• If only they reapply next year! Sometimes you read entries from groups and think they would be great in a year or so when they have developed a little more.

What really made those ‘X factor’ entries stand out for you?

• Innovative ideas that are out of the ordinary.
• A project that is unique always stands out but the project doesn’t always have to be different to be the “X factor”.
• I always enjoy reading the comments from young people and from the people that the project aims to help.
• Passion.

Thanks to Donna, Jen and Bled.