Achieving real progress in equal opportunity is no mean feat. Just occasionally though, there are significant breakthroughs — an in-company initiative that really makes a difference; a negotiated settlement that creates a fairer workplace; a successful legal case that changes personnel practice. We want to celebrate that success.

The Breakthrough Award, comprising a specially-commissioned trophy and £1,000, aims to recognise the contribution of individuals in achieving equality breakthroughs. In establishing this biannual award for a significant contribution to equality in employment in the UK, the Trustees recognise that it is not always the biggest or highest-profile activity that really makes a difference. When considering applications or nominations, therefore, particular account will be taken of the obstacles overcome in achieving the success and the circumstances in which it has been achieved.

Eligibility

Any individual is eligible who can show, or for whom it can be shown, that they have made a major contribution to furthering equal opportunity in employment in the UK, and where that contribution has come to fruition in the last two years. The sorts of people we look for are:

• law centre workers and others who have supported applicants through the legal process;
• trade union officials who have made a significant contribution to equality by securing some form of employee rights;
• workers who have made a successful discrimination claim which has set an important precedent;
• an individual within an organisation, such as a line manager or employee, who has made a significant contribution by initiating or facilitating an equality initiative; or a senior manager who has championed equality to significant effect;
• equality and diversity managers who have gone "beyond the call of duty" to promote equality in a sustained and/or highly innovative way with outstanding results.

These are only examples; there are many other possibilities.

What we look for

• tangible evidence of how equality has been furthered in an employment context in the UK, whether through statistical progress within organisations, demonstrable 'leading edge' innovations, establishing a significant legal precedent, etc;
• clear evidence of the individual's personal role in the achievements;
• the extent of the individual's effort, tenacity, commitment etc to the achievement, taking into account factors such as the extent of the resources available, the duration of the commitment and the obstacles and resistance which needed to be overcome;
• achievements which have come to fruition with the last three years;
• self-nomination or nomination by others.

The charitable aims of the Wainwright Trust related specifically to race and gender issues in the workplace before 2002. However, in 2002 the aims were widened to cover other issues and nominations since then have been considered relating to all the workplace issues set out in the aims of the Trust (see Aims).

Click here to find out about making a nomination or to apply yourself.