Please see below answers to commonly asked questions.

What is the closing date for applications?
Deadline expired midday Weds 14th May 2008

Why an awards scheme?
The London Health Commission wants to celebrate achievement and reward success of work across London to improve health and reduce health inequalities in its priority areas.

What makes the LHC awards different?
The LHC awards focus on key issues for London identified by an influential partnership that brings together the key organisations and sectors in London that have an influence over Londoners' health.

We have developed the 2008 Awards through our Community Development Forum. The awards will benefit all organisations that apply and we have worked hard to ensure that the winning organisations will receive a price package that will benefit the winners far beyond the financial value of the monetary award.

Why focus on community action for health?
Over 60,000 voluntary and community organisations are together employ around a quarter of a million people and contribute over £3 billion to the London economy. A great deal of this activity benefits health and well-being. Despite this, the contribution that the sector makes does not always receive the recognition that it deserves. The LHC Awards in 2008 aim to raise awareness of the contribution of the community and voluntary sector and build links between them and the public and private sectors.

What is the voluntary and community sector?
"Registered charities, as well as non-charitable, non-profit organisations, associations and self-help groups and community groups. Must involve some aspect of voluntary activity, though many are also professional organisations with paid staff, some of which are of considerable size. Community organisations tend to be focussed on particular localities or groups within the community; many are dependent entirely or almost entirely on voluntary activity." Home Office

Who can apply for an award?
The LHC Awards 2008 are aimed at community organisations and groups that are working on anything that contributes to health and well-being. This covers a very broad range of activity for example supporting young mothers, exercise classes for older people. The project must have been up and running for at least a year. Organisations/ groups must have an annual turnover of less than £100,000.

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Why the maximum turnover of £100,000 per year?
We want to recognise the work of the smallest organisations that are often the least visible and struggle most for recognition and funding.

Can an organisation that hosts several projects that have turnovers of less than £100,000 per year apply on behalf of those projects?
No - we want to reward the work of small groups. Where the projects are owned and run by groups with support from a larger organisation these groups can apply for an award themselves. Groups must be able to show that they are separate from the supporting organisation - e.g. through a constitution.

An example of this would be where several small groups manage their finances and submit accounts through a larger support organisation. Groups should not be receiving any direct staff support on project work.

Can individuals apply for an award?
No. The LHC Awards are for groups. Groups of two or more people can apply. Informal groups are eligible.

How do I apply for an award?
You can download an application form which includes full guidance from the LHC using the links below.

Can I get support to help me apply?
We are aiming to hold "surgery-style" support events through the borough Councils for Voluntary Service. For details of what's happening in your borough and when please check with your local CVS. A list with links will be available from this web site soon.

When do I have to apply?
The Awards were launched on 13th February. Completed application forms must be received by midday 30th April whether by post, email or fax. Shortlisting will take place in May. Judging, including a short visit to your group, will take place in June. The Awards Ceremony dinner takes place at City Hall on 2nd July 2008.

Can I get the form in other formats and languages?
For a large print, Braille, disc, sign language video or audio-tape version of this document, please contact us at the address below:

London Health Commission
City Hall
The Queen's Walk
London SE1 2AA
Telephone 020 7983 4119
email: simone.boothe@london.gov.uk

Other languages available:
Chinese
Hindi
Bengali
Urdu
Arabic
Gujarati
Punjabi
Turkish
Greek
Vietnamese

You will need to supply your name, your postal address and state the format or language you require.

How will my application be judged?
A panel made up of members of the London Health Commission and the LHC Community Development Forum will assess applications. Once the short list has been decided each short listed organisation will have an assessment visit from our judging panel.

We included the criteria by which applications will be judged and the success measures that we are looking for in the application form guidance notes.

Who is on the judging panel?
We are still finalising the membership of the panel and will post details on the web site soon.

LHC Community Development Forum
February 2008.

If you have a question that is not yet listed, please contact:

Gus Wilson
Development & Communications Manager

Tel: 020 7983 4120
Email: gus.wilson@london.gov.uk

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