The CVQO Westminster Award

The CVQO Westminster Award

The CVQO Westminster Award is our annual competition designed to recognise and reward the most deserving of our learners.

Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus crisis, we have had to alter the timings of the 2020 competition. You can find these updated timings below. We plan to run a combined trip to South Africa in 2021 for the 2020 and 2021 cohort, ensuring no-one misses out on this fantastic opportunity.

Each year we invite cadet and youth group leaders to come forward and nominate a brilliant young person for something they’ve achieved. Additionally, for the first time, nominations can now be endorsed by fellow cadets!

We deliberately leave the criteria for the nomination open; it could be that they’ve overcome a personal challenge, helped a family member or friend in need, undertaken some amazing community/charity work or are simply an all-round terrific character.

Nominations for the 2020 Award are now closed.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Be registered for or have completed a CVQO BTEC Level 2 qualification
  • Be born between 1 September 2001 and 31 August 2003
  • There can be one nomination per unit (e.g. squadron/detachment/equivalent cadet unit or youth group)
  • This means Counties/Areas/Wings (or equivalent regional designation) can nominate multiple candidates

 

 

Timings for the 2020 Award:
  • Nominations open – Friday 8 November 2019
  • Nominations close – Friday 24 January 2020
  • Stage 2 challenge set – Second week Feb 2020
  • Stage 2 challenge close – Mid Feb 2020
  • Selection finalists announced – End Feb-early March 2020
  • Selection in Somerset – **likely to be w/c 26 October 2020**
  • ILM submission deadline – TBC
  • Finalists announced – mid November 2020
  • House of Lords lunch – Thursday 10 December 2020
  • South Africa trip – Departs early July 2021 

Westminster Award 2020 nomination form and postcard

Stage 1 - Nominations

The first step is the nominations stage. In November each year we open nominations, whereby adult volunteers and youth leaders are invited to put forward a deserving young person via a short nomination form.

Stage 2 - Candidate submissions

After the stage 1 sift, in which CVQO staff and former finalists grade each submission, the successful nominees are set an assignment. We encourage creative submissions using various media types to tell us why they should win a place at selection in Somerset.

Stage 3 - Selection in Somerset

Nominees who are successful in getting this far win a brilliant residential week in Somerset. They enjoy an action packed programme of outdoor, team-building activities, as well as having the opportunity to gain an ILM Level 3. After selection we decide who our finalists will be…

Awards lunch at the House of Lords

The second best part! After selection, our ten lucky finalists can look forward to lunch at the House of Lords with their families, nominating officers and friends, where the overall winner is announced.

South Africa

Finally, there’s an incredible two-week expedition to South Africa. Our finalists will take part in community projects, work with local schools, learn about South Africa’s culture and, most of all, have a truly life-changing adventure.

I have a team of friends who care,
thank you for the moments we now share;
Lifelong bonds that will never be broken,
forged by our experience, no more need be spoken.

Jasmine Roper, Yorkshire North & West ACF and 2018 finalist