Do you know someone who has done something exceptional, made a big difference to their community or who has simply been a good neighbour? Then why not nominate them for an honour?
The UK honours system recognises merit, exceptional achievement and service to the community at every level of society, locally, regionally or nationally. And nominating someone for an honour needn't be complicated.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown wants to make sure ‘local heroes’ who make a big difference to their communities are honoured by the nation and wants more ordinary people to put forward names of potential recipients.
Honours lists are published twice a year at New Year and in mid-June on the date of The Queen's official birthday.
Anyone can nominate someone for an award, and anyone can receive one if they reach the required standard of merit or service. Honours lists always contain a wide variety of people from different backgrounds.
The Honours system itself has been around for centuries, but only since 1993 has the public been able to make nominations themselves.
That's where you come in.
Step by Step Guide to Making a Nomination
1. Why should you nominate someone. And what's in it for you?
It's nice to know you're helping to recognise someone whose efforts may otherwise go unnoticed and unrewarded, and doing so in one of the most highly respected - and nationally celebrated - ways possible.
But there are other reasons too. When people are honoured, the organisation or area where they work or volunteer is also recognised.
So while individual people may hold the Honour, others can share the pride and pleasure it brings.
2. Who Can Be Nominated?
Anyone can be nominated, but only exceptional people are honoured.
Achievement comes in many forms but what we're looking for is someone who has made a difference in their field of work or community. Someone who has gone the extra mile!
Honours can be awarded for all sorts of work - paid or unpaid - but your nominee must still be involved in the activity for which they're nominated.
For instance, has the person you want to nominate:
- Made a difference to their community or field of work.
- Brought distinction to British life and enhanced its reputation.
- Exemplified the best sustained and selfless voluntary service.
- Demonstrated innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Carried the respect of their peers.
- Changed things, with an emphasis on achievement.
- Improved the lot of those less able to help themselves.
- Displayed moral courage and vision in making and delivering tough choices.
3. Get a Copy of the Nominations Form and Read the Guidance Notes
You can download and print nomination forms and guidance notes from the official Honours website. Alternatively, you can write, telephone or e-mail asking for paper copies to be sent to you.
4. Read the Guidance Notes Carefully and Complete the Form as Fully as Possible
To be in with a chance of seeing your candidate on the Honours List, make sure your nomination has what it takes to make it all the way to Buckingham Palace, and make sure it includes letters from other people supporting your nomination.
5. Send in the Completed Form
You can send it by post, by email or you can fax it to:
Ceremonial Secretariat
Cabinet Office
35 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BQ
Email: ceremonial@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk
Fax: 0207 2762766
6. What Happens Next?
Nominations are collated and then sorted according to the nominee's area of expertise by the Ceremonial Secretariat. Expert committees can then compare like with like - for instance, teacher with teacher. The best candidates are put forward to the Prime Minister, who then presents the Committee list and identifies the strongest cases to The Queen. The Queen then chooses the recipients of honours on the advice of the Prime Minister and other relevant ministers.
7. Be Patient
As you can imagine, verifying a large number of nominations takes time. That's why the nominee should not expect to hear anything for 18 months or so. You can contact the Ceremonial Secretariat if you would like to check on progress.
8. The Decision
If selected, candidates are sent a letter asking them whether they would be willing to accept an Honour. Almost everyone does and their names will appear in The London Gazette at the New Year or on The Queen's official birthday in June.
9. Enjoy the Process
Consider it a worthwhile job well done.