Sands Volunteer Awards for 2025 are open.

Sands volunteers make an impact every single day. They provide peer support, organise community remembrance events, speak at training events, strengthen links with hospitals, manage Sands United teams, knit blankets for memory boxes, support at fundraising events and much more.  

Sands Volunteer Awards are one opportunity to recognise some of the incredible Sands volunteers and we're encouraging you to nominate volunteers who have had an impact on you. 

Bel Mooney and Hazelanne Lewis Awards

This year, we are honoured to name two awards after Sands’ patrons, Bel Mooney and Hazelanne Lewis.

Bel and Hazelanne, along with a small group of fellow bereaved parents, founded Sands over 45 years ago. Thanks to their dedication and vision, Sands has gone on to grow to become the organisation it is today, doing incredible work that continues to make an impact across all our communities.

The Bel Mooney Award for Raising Awareness and the Hazelanne Lewis Award for Leadership will ensure we continue to honour their legacy, by recognising the contributions of Sands' volunteers.

How it works

Nominating a volunteer for an award is easy, just fill in the form below. First, read our 5 top tips for making a nomination.

  • Add plenty of detail. We want to know what makes this volunteer so great. Aim for at least 200 words.
  • If it’s simpler, provide information in a bulleted list. Please write in full sentences as much as possible.  
  • Carefully review the nomination categories on the form and ensure your submission aligns with the appropriate category. You can nominate the same person for multiple categories.
  • Draft your nomination in a document like Microsoft Word or Google Docs and copy it into the form to save progress and prevent losing your submission if the page crashes.
  • If others know the person you're nominating, ask them to submit a nomination as well. Multiple perspectives will strengthen the nomination. 

If you have any questions, or need any type of support with submitting your nomination please email volunteering@sands.org.uk and someone from the team can guide you through the process, and answer any questions you have.

Nominations close on Friday, 25 April and will be shortlisted by a panel of Sands volunteers and staff. Winners will be invited to join us at the National Memorial Arboretum for Sands Garden Day on Saturday, 7 June for a day of remembrance and connection.  

Learn more about last year's winners.

Nominate a Sands volunteer:

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      Which category would you like your nomination to be considered for? You can choose more than one category.
      Has this individual gone above and beyond to support bereaved families, or health professionals? Have they put in extra time or shown a high level of commitment? 
      Has this individual taken extra steps to ensure Sands is a welcoming place, or actively reached out to communities we sometimes struggle to reach, of different ethnicities, faiths, sexual orientation, economic status, ability, or gender? 
      Has this individual been a champion for Sands in your community? Have they increased awareness of pregnancy and baby loss? 
      Has this individual supported other volunteers or helped to structure and drive forward the work of a local team? 
      Has this individual made a difference to you through the support they offered? Have you seen them consistently give high quality support to the families who access your group? 
      Has this individual put new ideas into action to make a difference for bereaved families or health professionals, or to spread the word about Sands? Has their work helped you reach new audiences, or engage with more people? 
      Has this individual made connections with relevant local organisations or businesses, to drive forward the work of Sands? Are they the expert you go to when you need to signpost someone for additional support? 
      Is this individual someone who deserves recognition for their overall contribution - perhaps for long service, or for always being there when they are needed?

      Please try to include 200-300 words in your nomination.

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