I look forward to this evening every year. This is the finale of the Stephen Lloyd Awards, which brings together some of the most inquiring minds, solution-focused thinkers, social purpose shining stars and those I call ‘the motivated’ – essentially a group people who really just want to do good in the world and make it a better place!
I’ve been involved in the Stephen Lloyd Awards for two years now as a shortlisting panel member. I can honestly say, it is probably one of the most humbling and inspiring few weeks I get to experience to every year.
Seeing beautiful things where others see nothing
As an aside, my colleague, Jim, recently wrote a short blog, entitled ‘Seeing beautiful things where others see nothing‘. It focused on the Stephen Lloyd Awards, his long-standing history of involvement in this and the experience of the shortlisting process in 2023, which left him feeling that he truly understood Camille Pissarro’s point of view! I strongly encourage you to grab a cuppa and have a read.
I can’t believe how quickly time has marched on since May, back when we were poring over applications and interviewing finalists. In her address as last year’s winner, Sema Gornall of the Vavengers(1), (pictured below) encouraged attendees with reflections about her own journey.
“If I can make it, anyone can. No excuses. If you’re not going to do something to make a change in our world, who is?! Listen, support and take action!”
Celebrating shifting bright ideas into real possibilities
This is exactly what this evening celebrates – groups of people shifting bright ideas into real possibilities, changing the way we see the world. We send our warm congratulations to the all of the finalists and the winners of the 2023 Stephen Lloyd Awards: Tangent, Release Mates CIC and Children Heard and Seen. You can read more about the aim of the awards, here.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the considered, moving and very thought-provoking poem(2) delivered by a friend of Sonnet’s, Kevin Amponsah (pictured below). It so beautifully captured the essence of the awards and honours Stephen Lloyd and all the people who have followed in his footsteps: those who dare to create a positive change in this world.
I will leave you with its beautiful insights:
The Stephen Lloyd Awards
by Kevin Amponsah
Well, what is an award in the first place?
Something given,
In recognition
Of fulfilling a mission
Stemming from brilliant minds,
Advancing mankind
All born from a vision of a select few
Who choose to pursue, their dreams
Making them a reality
Creating a lasting legacy
For you, me, and thousands of people to see
Fittingly, we are all here
From the inception of a special connection
Many of you formed
With the aforementioned Stephen Lloyd
An eternal embodiment of Innovation
Using his ideation to inspire others,
To make the world a better place
One project at a time
9 years down the line
The Stephen Lloyd Awards
Continues to thrive
Standing the test of time
As a Lifeline
Pumping blood into the veins
Of social enterprises
Which may not
Have made the finish line
Of transforming lives over time
Had it not been
For the much needed injection
Of kind minds working in tandem
To share intellectual prowess and finesse
In redefining, realigning, combining, and
Refining the brilliance,
of social enterprises and charities,
To best serve the needs of those
Who need and heed them most
You never know
How some of your spare time,
Can be invaluable,
As your expertise can grow seeds
Of knowledge for a charity
to shine,
How A single introduction
Can provide clarity and
Improve the function of a social enterprise
To climb heights yet reached,
Skyrocketing, as an upwards trajectory
For their Mission, Vision and Glory
Whilst your wise words of wisdom
Can alleviate any stressors and make them dissipate
For those who work painstakingly long hours
Fretting over moving forward
So; raise a toast, cheer,
Or just be thankful we are
Even here
To celebrate all the social enterprises and charities,
Past, Present and Future
As you are all winners
Being a part of the Stephen Lloyds family,
Whose Modus Operandi
For social enterprises and charities
Is to collaborate
and elevate them, to
Heights you may not have even dreamed of
So, thank you
For making the world better
In all the hard work, you do
Kirsten Hopkins, Senior Consultant
(1) The Vavengers is a survivor-led organisation, standing with and for every woman affected by Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and other forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
(2) Consent to publish has been obtained by Kevin Amponsah, the Stephen Lloyd Awards and Bates Wells Foundation
