Dragon Awards How to Apply Workshop 2010

Overview What you want from this morning? Why apply for an Award? What work qualifies? Applying for an Award What happens next? Questions

What do you want from this morning? Think of two things you hope to get out of the session Discuss what you have written with your table Report back to the one thing that your table feel you must learn today

Why Apply for an Award? External Recognition National and local press coverage Profile within CCI and CSR networks Profile with current and potential clients or customers Profile with community partners Internal Recognition Senior Management Staff and volunteers Other Dragon Statuette Invitation to annual dinner It is free!

What Qualifies for an Award? Activities that are above and beyond the core business of the applying organisation Activities that have an impact on the community Activities that are already running; that are beyond the planning stage Activities that take place in London (the 33 boroughs)

Award Categories Education Award Economic Regeneration Award Social Inclusion Award Heart of the City Award Lord Mayor’s Award Community Partner Award

Education Award Raising the aspirations of students Improving educational attainment Maximising career-development opportunities

Economic Regeneration Award Providing professional skills and expertise to small businesses / community organisations Helping local people become more employable Supporting the community by procuring goods and services locally Targeting local residents for job opportunities Providing financial or “in kind” assistance to small businesses / community organisations

Social Inclusion Award Helping to improve quality of life socially- excluded people through : Life skills Befriending programmes Healthy eating programmes Sports Cultural activities Access to services Youth clubs and after-school clubs

Heart of the City Award For companies that have started community involvement activities in the last 3 years For companies that have not successfully applied for a Dragon Award before

Lord Mayor’s award For companies that have: Shown a long term commitment to a wide range of community involvement activities Have outstanding levels of staff involvement at all levels

Community Partner Award Recognising the contribution of Community Partners and the ways in which they: Engage and manage corporate interest Build and maintain relationships Engage, manage & support employee volunteers Evaluate the value of the partnership and look at ways in which it can be strengthened Have an eye to the future when the level of corporate involvement may change

Examples A London borough maintains a park that lies within the boundaries of the borough. Recognising the need for play areas for kids, the Council has built a new playground in the park that is open to the public free of charge. Does this work qualify? If so in which category?

Examples A local recruitment agency runs CV and interview courses for young people at the local college. They also work with some of their clients to encourage them to offer work experience opportunities for the young people Does this work qualify? If so in which category?

Examples A football club has a community charity trust that is funded by the football club. The footballers work with the Trust on a project that builds on young people’s interest in football to reduce knife crime in the local area. Does this work qualify?If so, in which category?

Examples A law firm runs a pro bono service at a local community centre on a Tuesday night. The firm state that all trainee lawyers have to work a set number of hours a year on pro bono work at the centre. Does this work qualify? If so, in which category?

Examples A housing association provides housing for those excluded from the housing market. They have a successful scheme at one of their sites in which their staff and residents assist older people with their weekly shopping. Does this work qualify? If so, in which category?

Application Forms

Application Forms

Application Forms

Application Forms

Tips for filling in the form Read the Guidance Notes Explain why the programme is needed and the difference it has made Be clear about what your organisation actually does Keep your answers to the point Answer every question Judges can only base their decisions on the information that is on the application form

Filling in the application form Question 3 – Community Benefits The difference your work has made to the community – try and show the end result not just the business inputs. 3a) Quantitative Where possible use statistics 3b) Qualitative Include quotes from community partners or service users

Filling in the application form Question 4 – Business Benefits Benefits to your staff and organisation Where possible use statistics Talk about skills development or new routes to market Include feedback or quotes from volunteers or clients

Filling in the application form Question 7 – Why should you win this Award? Showcase the best of your project or programme Talk about why it is unique Refer to challenges you have overcome

Community Partners Award Be explicit about what the business does for the community organisation and how this fits the need Focus on what makes the partnership work Highlight anything innovative or different Demonstrate how the partnership makes a difference to the community.

An Example Consider this example. What would you change to make it stronger?

The voice of experience! XXX XXXX Award Winner 2010

What the judges say The application left me without a sense of what the business actually does with the school. This looks like a great project, but it is still in too early stages to judge. They should definitely apply again next year. The application is really strong, but it doesn’t clearly show what parts of the project are in London.

What the judges say It seems as though this scheme is only supported by a few members of the organisation. The application didn’t stand out from the other projects for me. It needed something to make it more exciting. The business seemed to have a great programme in place, but I was left wondering how useful it actually is to the community organisations.

What happens next? Deadline: Monday 5pm on 19 July Shortlist announced in September Final Judging panel Annual dinner

Annual Dinner 20 October, The Mansion House

Annual Dinner Thursday 15 October

Contact Details Telephone: