Story of the Awards

We wanted to create a way to recognise the significant achievements people can make to change their lives. With many awards already recognising those working within the justice sector, there was a gap to recognise those who have been ‘in’ the justice system and we wanted to fill it!

There are many reasons for the creation of our particular awards. Firstly, we wanted to recognise those individuals who have changed and others who help to make that change possible, by providing for example employment opportunities. We want it to be acceptable and commendable to give someone a chance of employment and we thank all those employers who already do but we need more and we need to make it possible for other employers to consider this.

We want to shout loudly about people who can and do change and prove that others can do so too! Great examples for others to follow highlighted through our awards and we want to put hope back into the eyes of all who think that there is none. ‘Hope is the drug every offender needs’. Change is possible for anyone and we also need to reassure those working within justice that we can achieve great things together. We rarely get to hear about things that go right within justice! Now we do!

We are thrilled that our Redemption and Justice Awards have significantly raised the awareness and profile for those who have been nominated and recognised by others. We know that just being nominated is a hugely appreciated gesture and often the only time that some individuals have realised that what they have achieved has been significant and so worthy of recognition. We hear that being nominated, becoming a finalist and even winning an award has changed lives, opened doors, created opportunities, contributed to achieving funding and these are all significant reasons for making sure that our Redemption and Justice Awards continue.

All who are nominated are winners in our eyes!

The awards are also a great way of finding out about amazing projects and people from across the nation!

Our team of amazing, independent volunteer judges from across the justice sector do us proud, helping us to provide an ethical judging process, which is completely independent.

The Redemption and Justice Awards are entirely funded through the generosity of so many organisations and individuals, who believe in what we do. We have no funding for the Awards, it’s a huge risk for us as a very small organisation but a risk worth taking when we are able to see the huge benefits which are gained by so many people.

We want the awards to bring people together, to celebrate so much that goes right within justice and not always recognised and celebration is much needed at a time of great austerity and change, when many are feeling vulnerable and to remind ourselves that there is some great work taking place, great people going over and above what is expected and there is hope for positive change. The awards reached so many people, about 3,000 in total: those who nominated, were nominated, judged, voted (in the inspirational award), attended the presentation evening and sponsored. We could not do this without you all!  

Thank you!