SBP AWARDS
The principal aim of the Society of Bereavement Practitioners is to "Recognise Commitment and Achievement in Bereavement Care and Support". We believe it is vitally important to recognise the work of individuals and organisations working with and for bereaved people who might not otherwise be recognised for the contribution they make. To this end, the Society has introduced five awards:
1. The SBP President's Award of Merit
2. The SBP Award of Merit
3. The SBP Badge of Merit (Gold or Silver)
4. The SBP Melvyn Occomore Memorial Award
5. The SBP Peter Schorah Memorial Award
1. The SBP President's Award of Merit
Is the highest award of the Society and is in the sole gift of the President. Recipients are presented with a framed certificate and distinctive gold badge.
Recipients of the Award:
PRESIDENT'S AWARD OF MERIT
Mrs Barbara Pitt
Funeral Arranger, Reigate
March 2009
Saint & Forster Funeral Directors Ltd., Darlington
September 2015
Jacqueline Fender
Claire Taws
Forget Me Not Funeral Services Ltd., Blyth
July 2020
Very Reverend Melvyn John Occomore
Bereavement Specialist Minister, Tyne & Wear
August 2020 (✠ RIP)
Reverend Martyn Jinks
Head of Pastoral & Spiritual Care,
Chesterfield NHS Trust
January 2021
Angela Garner
Pet Bereavement Specialist
January 2021
Trevor Shingler
Funeral Director
January 2022
2. The SBP Award of Merit
Is the Society's award made to recognise outstanding service, care, support, commitment or innovation in any area of working with and for bereaved people. The Award is generally made to candidates from outside the Society who might not otherwise be recognised for the work they do. Recipients are presented with a framed certificate and silver badge.
Recipients of the Award
Sandra Barry (✠ RIP)
Iris Lawley MBE
Joe Lawley MBE (✠ RIP)
Diane Whelan
Heather Ross
Karen Mayne
Sally Anne Boffey
3. The SBP Badge of Merit (Gold or Silver)
Is the Society's award made to recognise outstanding service, care, support, commitment or innovation in any area of working with and for bereaved people. The Award is generally made to candidates from within the Society who might not otherwise be recognised for the work they do.
Recipients receive a gold or silver badge and certificate of appreciation.
Recipients of the Gold Award:
Bruce Haworth (✠ RIP)
Jan Haworth (✠ RIP)
Allyson Jamieson
William Lauderdale
Trevor Shingler
Stephen Riley
Recipients of the Silver Award:
James Anderson
Neil Elcombe (✠ RIP)
Ryan Prince
Tyron Spence
Deborah Hart
4. The SBP Melvyn Occomore Memorial Award
Is the Society's award made annually in memory of SBP Officer, Very Rev Melvyn Occomore (1959-2021), to recognise outstanding service, care, support, commitment or innovation in Cemetery or Crematorium staff who might not otherwise be recognised for the work they do.
Recipients receive a gold badge and certificate of appreciation.
Recipients of the Award:
2022
Adrian Simon McQueen
(Bereavement Services Team Leader, North Tyneside Council)
2023
Susan Hamilton
(Cleaner, Sunderland Council)
5. The SBP Peter Schorah Memorial Award
Is the Society's award made annually in memory of Member, Peter Schorah (1967 -2022), to recognise outstanding promise in any aspect of bereavement service, care, support, commitment or innovation shown by people in their first year of work who might not otherwise be recognised.
Recipients receive a silver badge and certificate of appreciation.
Recipients of the Award:
Nomination Procedure for all Awards
The Society is always pleased to receive nominations for the SBP Award of Merit and Badge of Merit. Anyone can nominate someone whom they feel deserves to be recognised for what they do. Nominations come from members of the public; from clients impressed with care received; from colleagues wishing to recognise outstanding service. SBP Council are often made aware of potential nominees from other sources, too, each of which is followed-up.
In short, nominations come from many sources. However, it will be appreciated that we cannot accept self-nominations.
Should you wish to submit a nomination or discuss a possible nomination, please in the first instance contact our Awards Officer by email:
awards@socbp.uk