Quick link: Click here to download the nomination form
What are the Anchor Smile Awards?
The Anchor Smile Awards are an Anchor-run competition designed to celebrate the dedication, compassion and creativity of Anchor staff across the organisation, who work so hard to create happy living for the years ahead for thousands of older people.
What award categories are there?
There are different awards, all recognising professionalism and passion, for every type of staff member. Please download the nomination form (link at the top of this page) for detailed descriptions of the categories below.
Activity Promotion Award | Making A Difference Award |
Care Manager of the Year | Making Customers Happy Award |
Carer of the Year | Scheme Manager of the Year |
Caterer of the Year | Support Services Award |
Dignity Champion of the Year | Team of the Year |
Estate Manager of the Year | Outstanding Achievement Award |
There is a Chef of the Year competition running concurrently with the Smile Awards.
The Pride of Anchor award winner will be chosen by Chief Executive Jane Ashcroft.
Who can nominate someone for an award?
Anchor colleagues, customers or their families can put forward a nomination, but only Anchor staff can be nominated. You may send in nominations from Tuesday 6 April and the closing date for forms is Wednesday 5 May.
What does a nomination entail?
All you have to do is write a paragraph of no more than 250 words on why you think a member of staff deserves the award for which you are nominating them, then post the form back to Anchor Smile Awards, 3rd Floor, Ambler Mill, Cape Street, Bradford BD1 4RP.
Please complete as many forms as you like - you can download and print the nomination form using the link at the top of this page. There is no limit to how many staff members you can nominate! Also, feel free to ask customers or their families if they would like to nominate someone, and encourage colleagues to think about who they might like to put forward.
Tips on nominating
Think about something specific which your nominee has achieved, whether that's planning a fabulous event, going the extra mile on a project or working on a fascinating life history with a customer. Now think about how that reflects their general attitude and why they do such a good job. Write down your example, and then elaborate on why that exemplifies your nominee's dedication, positivity and compassion.
The judging process
A judging panel of Anchor staff will decide on a shortlist of nominees and a winner for each region - North East, North West, Midlands and South. The panel includes 2009 Pride of Anchor Award winner and 2009 Scheme Manager of the Year winner.
The regional winners will then go forward to a Grand Final. The winners of these national awards will be decided by representatives from the English Community Care Association (ECCA), the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) and Anchor’s Customer Services Committee.
Dates for your diary
There will be four Regional Finals and a Grand Final. Those shortlisted in the Regional Finals will be invited to a daytime ceremony at one of the following locations:
2 June - North West - The Monastery, Manchester
9 June - North East - York Minster Conference Centre
16 June - South - The Imperial War Museum, London
23 June - Midlands - Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Grand Final will be held on 13 July at Plaisterers’ Hall, London.
Prizes
Regional awards winners will receive a cheque for £500, while Grand Final winners will receive an Anchor Smile Awards trophy and a cheque for £1,000!
