Member Article

Honours campaign launched in Greater Manchester

A new campaign is being launched in Greater Manchester to encourage more people to nominate their friends, colleagues or relatives for an honour.

The plea comes as the latest statistics show that less than 9% of honours have gone to people in the North West over the past two years. In last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours the figure was just 7%, despite the region making up over 11% of the population.

The campaign is being supported by Wigan resident Melanie Bryan, who was awarded the OBE in 2012 for services to Social Enterprise and Women’s Enterprise in the North West.

Melanie founded social action organisation WhyNotChange in 2009 and her achievements range from helping to save a community hall earmarked for demolition to organising the North West Women’s Enterprise Day, which is attended by over 250 women every year.

After receiving her OBE, Melanie was also appointed to the national Honours Committee for Community, Voluntary and Local Services, which considers the nominations for new honours recipients.

She said: “I remember being absolutely astonished when I opened the brown envelope and saw that I was getting an OBE. I just thought people like me didn’t get honours so I felt very humbled.

“It’s also been great to get involved with the whole process by being selected for one of the honours committees, and finding out about all the fantastic things that are being achieved in communities across the country.

“We definitely need to see more people being honoured, but I think sometimes there’s a perception that it’s just celebrities and big names that get them. It definitely isn’t like that. We’re looking for ordinary people who have achieved extraordinary things.

“It’s really simple to nominate someone as you just have to fill out a form, explaining the difference they’ve made in their community. Don’t wait until they’ve retired either. People deserve to be recognised throughout their lives.”

Anyone can nominate someone for an award and anyone can receive an award, if they reach the required standard of merit or service. Nationally, up to 1,300 individuals are recognised through the honours system every year.

In addition to nominations from members of the public, government departments ask schools, hospitals, local authorities, and similar organisations for suggestions of potential candidates.

All recommendations are considered by one of nine independent expert honours committees, each chaired by an independent non-Civil Service chair and comprising a majority of independent members, all selected after open advertisement.

Sir Bob Kerslake, the head of the Civil Service, said: “We encourage nominations from all sections of society from all over the country and we’d particularly like to see more people from the North West receiving recognition for their achievements.

“Some people may think honours are largely reserved for certain professions or backgrounds but they really are for everyone who has done a great job for their community and helped make the country a better place to live.

“Recipients have included people who have spent years fostering children, raising money for charity, made a difference by serving tirelessly on committees, helping people to take part in sports or doing valuable work in the voluntary sector.”

The nomination process usually takes around 18 months from the date the nomination is made to the time a successful candidate appears on an honours list, while the facts are checked and supportive comments obtained.

The honours committees decide which of the following awards will be offered:

British Empire Medal (BEM), awarded for very “hands-on” service to the community in a local geographical area.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), recognising an achievement or service to the community which has delivered a sustained impact and which stands out as an example to others.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for those who have performed a distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), rewarding a prominent national or regional role.

Dame or Knight, for those who have made a pre-eminent contribution in any field, usually at a national level.

Detailed guidance on the honours process and a nomination form can be found at www.gov.uk/honours or phone the honours team in the Cabinet Office on 020 7276 2777.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .