We’ve been bowled over by the response to this year’s Make A Difference Awards. A phenomenal 5098 people have already cast their votes for the shortlisted nominees which they think should win this coveted accolade.
If you haven’t voted yet, there’s still time to have your say. Voting is open until midnight on Monday 17th April. The winners will then be announced at a special Awards presentation session at The Watercooler Event, from 16.15pm to 17.30pm on Tuesday 25th April.
Making a difference to workplace culture, mental health and wellbeing
The Make A Difference Awards, in association with the London Evening Standard and The Watercooler Event, are an opportunity for us to stop, think and thank the colleagues and employers who have really made a difference over the past year to workplace culture, mental health and wellbeing. Those who are leading the way and inspiring others to follow their example.
For 2023, we were looking for entries that show real impact, with a sustainable and measurable commitment to proactive, preventative and inclusive support of workplace wellbeing. We also asked for entries to demonstrate cross-departmental cooperation that is embedding workplace wellbeing across the organisation as business as usual.
We removed all barriers to entry, to encourage as many employers as possible to take part and received an incredible 260 entries. We applaud all of the nominees and commend their dedication, which we certainly don’t want to discourage. After much deliberation however, our esteemed panel of Judges selected a shortlist of nominees for each Award which you can see here.
The leaderboard
As part of our mission to spread the word far and wide and bring more and more employers to the workplace culture, mental health and wellbeing conversation, we’ve opened awards 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B and 2C to the vote.
With all of the awards, whilst leaders are emerging, it is still very close and could easily change between now and 17th April.
As we approach the half-way voting point, this is who’s in the lead:
Award 1A: Employer with more than 500 employees that has made the most difference to workplace mental health and wellbeing
Village Hotels have taken an early lead, followed by Independent Assessment Services and Poundland. Meanwhile, Elior and Ocado Group are snapping at the leaders’ heels.
We received 40 entries for this Award. The other shortlisted nominees in this category, who could all still be winners, are Centrica, Medivet, NatWest, PMI, River Island, Sunbelt Rentals and Unilever. Full details here.
Award 1B: Employer with less than 500 employees that has made the most difference to workplace mental health and wellbeing over the past year
For this category, a clear leader is starting to emerge. But that could still change. Royal Albert Hall is out front followed by JCDecaux, Trayport and Atom Bank.
We received 20+ entries for this Award. The other shortlisted nominees in this category, who could all still be winners, are GingerMay, Millwood Servicing Ltd, Texere Publishing, Threads Styling Ltd and Tobermore Concrete. Full details here.
Award 1C: Public sector or non-profit employer that has made the most differ.ence to workplace mental health and wellbeing over the past year
This category is very close, with St John Ambulance in the lead but not far behind are Sanctuary Care, NHS England and RSPCA.
We received 20+ entries for this Award. The other shortlisted nominees in this category, who could all still be winners, are Anthony Nolan, British Library, Buckinghamshire Council, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Trust, Hospital of St. John & St. Elizabeth, NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit and University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. Full details here.
Award 2A: True Leader who has made the most difference to workplace mental health and wellbeing over the past year
The True Leaders currently vying for the top slot are James Jackson from NHS South, Central & West, Jane Collins from Curinos and Jonny Jacobs from Starbucks. Closely followed by Emily Howe from MediaCom, Sarah Gashier from Westminister City Council and Javier Echave from Heathrow Airport.
The other shortlisted nominees in this category, who could all still be winners, are all detailed here.
Award 2B: Unsung Hero / Heroine who has made the most difference to workplace mental health and wellbeing over the past year
Voting is also very close for our Unsung Heros and Heroines. Ben Strangwood from RSPCA and Jemima Ankuma from Grant Thornton are nearly neck and neck. Following close behind are Sam Walters from The Met Police, Alex Healey from Co-op, Dave Muckell from Bridgend County Borough Council, Dee Juneja from University of the Arts and Sophie Cutts from Iris Software Group.
The other shortlisted nominees in this category, who could all still be winners, are all detailed here.
Award 2C: Champions Network that has made the most difference to workplace mental health and wellbeing over the past year
Last but certainly not least, the Champions Networks that are currently in the lead are Guide Dogs’ Wellbeing Buddies Network, NHS England Health & Wellbeing Champions Networks and Atalian Servest’s Employee Network. Hot on their heels are Unipart WorkWell, Starbucks’ Wellbeing Blend Partner Network and BrewDog’s MHFA Network.
The other shortlisted nominees in this category, who could all still be winners, are all detailed here.
Cast your vote
You can read all of the nominations for those shortlisted for these awards and cast your vote here.
As not all networks are equal, the Judges will also be selecting their own winners for these categories and for the 7 other categories that have not been opened to voting.
Through the voting, it’s fantastic to see messages about the importance of a proactive approach to supporting mental health and wellbeing reaching far and wide across such a diverse array of sectors. It really does feel as though together, we’re making a difference and bringing more and more people to this crucial conversation.
