West Country Women Awards CIC

Our work is focussed on recognising achievement, promoting equality of opportunity, confidence building and public speaking training and creating and strengthening community networks for women from all backgrounds across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and the Isles of Scilly.

Our core activities include:

1: Annual Award Ceremony: The highlight of our work is the annual Award Ceremony, which honours women across a wide range of industries and sectors. This year we recognised excellence in 24 categories, celebrating outstanding contributions to community, business, culture, education, sport, public service, and more.

2: Nominations and Judging: We oversee the full nominations process, working with category sponsors who judge each category using a strict, formal scoring matrix. This matrix ensures that all nominees are evaluated fairly, objectively, and transparently. Every applicant is assessed against the same criteria, eliminating personal bias and enabling judges to focus solely on the evidence, impact, and achievements submitted.

3: Publicity and Promotion: Through extensive public relations, media engagement, and regional outreach, we work to raise awareness of the awards, inspire nominations, and give a platform to the remarkable women selected each year. Our publicity efforts increase visibility for women’s achievements, encourage community participation, and promote positive representation.

4: Networking and fundraising Events: We organise regular networking and fundraising events across the region, connecting women from diverse backgrounds and professional sectors. These events foster collaboration, cross organisational cooperation, and the development of a supportive, empowered community of women.

Every year we choose a charity of the year from our previous years’ winners and raise money and awareness for them. This year it was Reminiscence Learning who have been promoted across all of our events and particularly our fundraising ‘Sports Day’ in May dedicated to raising money for the charity.

5 Mentorship, Training and Support: The CIC provides ongoing mentorship and support opportunities for both winners and nominees. All nominees receive half-price confidence-building and public speaking training for life, encouraging their personal development, leadership growth, and long-term career progression. We continue to expand these programmes to ensure lasting impact across the whole region. Our mission is to celebrate and honour the achievements of women in the West Country, recognising their outstanding contributions and the positive impact they make on their communities. Through this platform, we aim to empower, inspire, and support women while fostering a culture of inclusivity, equality, and visibility.

During the year ending May 2026, more than 1,000 women were nominated for a West Country Women Award. Twenty-four winners have been selected and all have been offered opportunities to progress their work and ambitions, including the chance to visit Westminster and meet Members of Parliament to support their individual endeavours.

Overall, our activities this year have continued to deliver significant social value, strengthened regional networks, enhanced professional opportunities for women, and amplified the voices and achievements of women across the West Country

We also host the International Womens’ Day Conference every year in March and this year gathered more than 250 women together with the support of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Plymouth Citybus and Babcock International.

During the reporting period, consultation has taken place both formally and informally throughout our programme of activities:

Nominees, winners and participants: We have maintained regular contact with women taking part in the Awards and our wider programme through direct conversations, email, social media, newsletters, events and follow-up communication. This provides valuable feedback about the nomination experience and, importantly, what support women would find useful beyond simply being nominated for an award.

Empowerment, networking and regional events: Our events have provided an important opportunity to meet women face-to-face across the region and hear directly about the challenges, opportunities and support they need. This has allowed us to develop our programme in response to what women tell us rather than assuming what support they require.

Sponsors, judges and partners: We continue to consult closely with sponsors, judges and partner organisations about the Awards, categories, judging, events and wider programme. Their experience and regional knowledge help us ensure that the Awards remain credible, accessible and relevant.

Community and voluntary organisations: We have continued to build relationships with charities, community groups and networks which work directly with women and girls, particularly those whose achievements or experiences may traditionally receive less recognition.

Ongoing informal consultation: A significant amount of stakeholder engagement takes place through conversations at events, networking meetings, training sessions and community activities. This immediate feedback is particularly valuable because it enables the CIC to identify emerging needs and respond quickly.

Action taken in response to stakeholder feedback

Stakeholder consultation has directly influenced the CIC's work during the reporting period.

1. Greater support beyond the Awards: Feedback has consistently demonstrated that women value the recognition of being nominated but also want opportunities to develop their confidence, skills and networks. We have therefore strengthened the programme surrounding the Awards, including confidence-building, communications, PR and public-speaking training.

2. Development of Empowerment Days: We have expanded opportunities for women to meet, learn and build connections through regional Empowerment Days and other events. These create practical opportunities for development and ensure that the CIC's community activity continues throughout the year rather than being centred solely on the annual Awards ceremony.

3. Increased regional engagement: We have continued to take activity out across the West Country, rather than expecting stakeholders to travel to one central location. This has helped us strengthen relationships and visibility in different parts of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset and engage with a broader range of women and organisations.

4. Improved accessibility and communication: Feedback from nominees, partners and supporters has informed the way we communicate information about nominations, events, training and opportunities. We have continued to simplify and clarify communications and use a range of channels to make participation as straightforward as possible.

5. Stronger community and business partnerships: Consultation has reinforced the value of bringing the business, charitable and community sectors together. We have therefore continued to develop partnerships with sponsors, businesses, charities and community organisations which can provide expertise, opportunities and support to women within the WCWA network.

6. Creating a continuing community: One of the clearest messages from stakeholders is that the value of the West Country Women Awards extends beyond receiving an award. In response, we have continued to develop opportunities for nominees, finalists and winners to remain connected through training, networking, events and introductions to other women and organisations.

Stakeholder feedback remains an important part of the way the West Country Women Awards CIC develops its activities. It enables us to respond to the needs of women across the region, improve the way we operate and ensure that our work delivers continuing community benefit.