Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) has been shortlisted for the UK-wide Charity Governance Awards 2020. It is in the running for an ‘Improving Impact’ award, which comes with a £5,000 unrestricted grant. FiMT is one of 21 charities from across the country that complete the full shortlist.

FiMT joins other charities engaged in a diverse range of activities that include health care, support for victims of domestic abuse, and education access for those experiencing disadvantage. The professional judging panel has shortlisted the entries and will select a winner in each of the seven categories.

Ray Lock, Chief Executive at FiMT, says: “It’s an honour to be considered for these highly-respected awards, and to have reached this stage. I’m really proud that our work and, crucially, the impact our work is having, have been recognised. Our mission is to provide an evidence base that will influence and underpin policy making and service delivery in order to enable ex-Service personnel and their families to lead successful civilian lives.

“Our strategic shift to a programmatic-based approach was led by our board and is being executed by our staff. As a result, our ability to effect change and be more influential have grown; we have been responsible for a number of major policy and service delivery improvements, leading to an increase in successful transitions for ex-Service personnel and improved psychological wellbeing – two of the key objectives set by our founder, the National Lottery Community Fund.”

Michael Jarvis, who chairs the Awards for the organisers The Clothworkers’ Company, said, “Congratulations to all our shortlisted candidates – we are continuing to hear such inspiring stories from the sector. Of course, we are celebrating these successes from what feels like a different era; before the current coronavirus crisis hit.

“This is a difficult time for us all, but charities, often at the frontline of support for the most vulnerable members of our society, are currently facing a set of unprecedented challenges. Not only in how they carry out their day-to-day work, some are experiencing first-hand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but for others it’s a fight for their very existence as we simultaneously face an immense economic challenge in the coming months.

“But the creative, courageous and generous work of the voluntary sector during recent weeks has been a great source of light and positivity during this dark time. I hope that the stories from our shortlisted entrants provide a reminder of what we can achieve together, now and in the future.”

Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the ceremony cannot go ahead. Instead, the winners will be announced on 21 May 2020 via a special online presentation from the historic Clothworkers’ Hall in London, which will include a ‘keynote’ from Becca Bunce (Co-Director of the IC Change Convention, feminist and disability advocate).

You can follow the awards on Twitter via @CharityGovAward or by using the hashtag #CharityGov20. Winners will be announced on the website following the virtual ceremony in May – visit www.charitygovernanceawards.co.uk.

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