Buckinghamshire Women in Charity Awards

The Buckinghamshire Women in Charity Awards celebrates the amazing achievements of women across Buckinghamshire who work and volunteer in the charity sector.

Held for the first time in 2021, the Awards raise awareness of the work being carried out by women in the county, shining the light on their inspirational initiatives and stories as well as recognising their valuable contribution to our Buckinghamshire communities. There are five award categories: 

  • Outstanding Leadership in the Charity Sector 
  • Trailblazer in the Charity Sector 
  • Outstanding Volunteer 
  • Community Champion 
  • Young Charity Woman of the Year 

The Awards will return in 2023, with a winner and a highly-commended for each category to be announced at an award ceremony on 8th March 2023, International Women’s Day. For Awards criteria and nomination forms, scroll down to the drop-down list below. 

Who should apply

The nomination process is currently closed and will open at the end of 2022.  

If you know someone that you believe deserves recognition for their outstanding work and efforts – whether employed or volunteering in the charity sector – you can nominate them in the most relevant award category (see criteria in drop-down list below). Women, anyone who identifies as a woman, and those who are non-binary can be entered for the Awards. Please ensure your nominee has agreed to you entering their name.  

Alternatively, we strongly encourage you to be proud and self-nominate, and share your own story through this award opportunity.

Awards criteria and nomination forms

Outstanding Leadership in the Charity Sector Award

Awarded to a woman who has made an outstanding contribution at any level in their organisation, demonstrating inspiring leadership and the ability to motivate others to strive for excellence, paving the way to deliver exciting initiatives that make a real difference to lives and communities. 

You will need to include the following information in your nomination: 

  • INDIVIDUAL’S NAME, ROLE, and ORGANISATION, and a HEAD & SHOULDERS SHOT 
  • In up to 300 words explain 
    • What your nominee has done to achieve it and why 
    • How they achieved their goals and the leadership behaviours they have displayed 
    • The results they have achieved and the impact they have had on their organisation and community 
    • Tip: include a story that brings to life why this individual deserves to win this award 
    • In a 2 minute video, please explain what this individual has set out to achieve and why. Have a look at our top tips for filming short videos. 

Nominations for the Women in Charity Awards 2023 will open at the end of 2022. 

Trailblazer in the Charity Sector Award

Awarded to an individual who has stepped up and personally achieved or contributed to huge impact and results, through enterprising, innovative and ground-breaking initiatives.  

You will need to include the following information in your nomination: 

  • INDIVIDUAL’S NAME, ROLE, and ORGANISATION, and a HEAD & SHOULDERS SHOT 
  • In 300 words explain: 
    • What your nominee has done to achieve it and why 
    • How they achieved their goal/s demonstrating a pioneering spirit and courage to think and do things differently and drive innovation 
    • The results they have achieved and the impact they have had on their organisation and community 
    • Tip: include a story that brings to life why this individual deserves to win this award 
    • In a 2 minute video, please explain what this individual has set out to achieve and why. Have a look at our top tips for filming short videos. 

Nominations for the Women in Charity Awards 2023 will open at the end of 2022. 

Outstanding Volunteer Award

Awarded to an individual who has displayed great commitment and delivered exceptional results as a volunteer for a charity, community or voluntary sector organisation

You will need to include the following information in your nomination: 

  • INDIVIDUAL’S NAME, ROLE, and ORGANISATION, and a HEAD & SHOULDERS SHOT 
  • In up to 300 words please explain: 
    • What your nominee has done to achieve it and why 
    • How this individual has assisted the charity/voluntary sector organisation they support, with examples of their volunteering activities 
    • The results they have achieved and the impact they have had on their organisation and community 
    • Tip: include a story that brings to life why this individual deserves to win this award 
    • In a 2 minute video, please explain what this individual has set out to achieve and why. Have a look at our top tips for filming short videos. 

Nominations for the Women in Charity Awards 2023 will open at the end of 2022.

Young Woman of the Year in the Charity Sector

Awarded to an individual (25 years or below), who demonstrates exceptional talent and potential, displaying the skills and capabilities required to deliver great work and make a significant impact on the charity/organisation/community they support. Can be an employee; a volunteer; a student; a community member.  

You will need to include the following information in your nomination: 

  • INDIVIDUAL’S NAME, ROLE, and ORGANISATION, and a HEAD & SHOULDERS SHOT 
  • In up to 300 words please explain 
    • What your nominee has done to achieve it and why 
    • How this individual has gone about achieving their goal/s, and how they have overcome any challenges they have faced, including any examples of how they have approached their own learning and development needs to deliver their activities
    • The results they have achieved and the impact they have had on their chosen organisation or community. 
    • Tip: include a story that brings to life why this individual deserves to win this award 
    • In a 2 minute video, please explain what this individual has set out to achieve and why. Have a look at our top tips for filming short videos. 

Nominations for the Women in Charity Awards 2023 will open at the end of 2022. 

Community Champion Award

Awarded to an individual who has contributed to a Buckinghamshire community by raising awareness, harnessing support and bringing about real change for that community over a sustained period of time. A ‘community’ can be defined by location, interest, issue or people, and your nominee could be in a paid or voluntary role. 

You will need to include the following information in your nomination: 

  • INDIVIDUAL’S NAME, ROLE, and ORGANISATION, and a HEAD & SHOULDERS SHOT 
  • In up to 300 words please explain: 
    • What your nominee has done to achieve it and why 
    • How this individual has helped the community they support, with examples of actions they have undertook 
    • The results they have achieved and the impact they have had on their community 
    • Tip: include a story that brings to life why this individual deserves to win this award 
    • In a 2 minute video, please explain what this individual has set out to achieve and why. Have a look at our top tips for filming short videos. 

 Nominations for the Women in Charity Awards 2023 will open at the end of 2022. 

Buckinghamshire Women in Charity Award 2021 winners

Read the inspiring stories of the 2021 Award winners and those who were highly commended: 

  • Outstanding Leadership in the Charity Sector Award 2021: won by April Benson, Director of Services, Aylesbury Women’s Aid, who is “a great example of a woman in the charity sector leading from the front, who sets out to make a positive difference to the lives of local women and girls and has clearly achieved that aim”
  • Trailblazer in the Charity Sector Award 2021: won by Hannah Asquith, Chief Executive, Youth Concern who demonstrated a real pioneering spirit and great courage to drive innovation in her first year as CEO of Youth Concern.  
  • Outstanding Volunteer Award 2021: won by Shanthi Priyalatha-Wortmann, founder and Director of the Women’s Cultural Arena, as well as being the driving force behind the Community Fridge in High Wycombe which provides families with access to food, including fresh produce from the community allotments that Shanthi coordinates.   
  • Young Woman of the Year in the Charity Sector 2021: Georgia Grou, Health Delivery Officer, Wycombe Wanderers Sports and Education Trust has “an aptitude and keen passion for supporting mental health and empowering people to achieve their potential.”