Justice in the Community Awards 2015/16

Justice Minister David Ford has launched the 2015/16 Justice in the Community Awards and invites nominations from across Northern Ireland.  First launched in 2011, the aim of the awards is to highlight the outstanding efforts of those who make a selfless and personal contribution within the community to make Northern Ireland a better and safer place for everyone. 

The scheme is open to any individual or group working within the voluntary, community or statutory sectors, who through their efforts make a real difference to promoting justice and making their community a better and safer place for everyone.

Previous winners have come from a range of different backgrounds from across Northern Ireland.  Some of the themes of previous nominations have included people involved in initiatives to facilitate rehabilitation and reduce reoffending, reducing antisocial behaviour, reducing crime, building better relationships between communities and with police and raising awareness of issues such as human trafficking.  The list is not exhaustive and there are many different ways that people can have a positive impact on justice within Northern Ireland.

So if you know of an individual or a group of people who have gone that extra mile to make their community a better and safer place we want to hear from you.  Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.nidirect.gov.uk/justiceawards. 

All nominations will be judged by an independent judging panel - Una McKernan (Deputy Chief Executive for Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action) and Brendan McGuigan (Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice) and Jim Smith, Project Manager for The Thinking Cup Café and Book Reserve (a social enterprise initiative providing employment to motivated young parents who have offended). 

A top prize of £1,000 will be awarded to the winning team or individual for them to invest in their community project.  Trophies will also be provided to a number of highly commended nominees.

Completed nomination forms should be returned by email to [email protected] or posted to Justice in the Community Awards, Department of Justice, Massey House, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SX.  The closing date for nominations is 1 February 2016.  Nominees will be invited to an awards ceremony at Parliament Buildings on the 2 March 2016 where the winners will be announced.

Further information about the “Justice in the Community” awards can be found on our webpage www.nidirect.gov.uk/justiceawards or by contacting the Justice Awards team on 028 9016 9588 or by email to [email protected].