The 2026 Solo Parents Awards are proudly sponsored by
This Years Categories are............
(Psssst - if you have read these before the nomination form is under these descriptions)
Business - Places, organisations or people who help, advocate or are owned by Solo Parents
Best Solo Employer
We celebrate businesses that show outstanding understanding and support for the unique challenges of single-parent families. The finalists will demonstrate crucial flexibility in working arrangements, maintain a deeply supportive and non-judgemental culture, and actively empower solo parents in their career development. Nominate an employer who ensures solo parents feel valued and stable, making it genuinely easier for them to balance work and family life.
Best Youth Service
We are seeking nominations for a Northwest youth service that makes an exceptional difference in the lives of young people aged 11 and above.
This award celebrates groups that provide a truly safe, welcoming, and empowering environment for adolescents and teens. We are looking for nominees that excel in building confidence, developing life skills, and fostering strong peer connections. All of which are vital for young people navigating their school years and transition to adulthood, particularly those in solo parent families. Nominate a service that helps our youth thrive and ensures every connection counts.
Best Play Service
We are seeking nominations for a Northwest Play Service that provides outstanding fun, safety, and community for children under the age of 11 and their solo parents.
This award celebrates services, such as playgroups, inclusive adventure playgrounds, children's entertainers, soft play centers, or structured activity providers, that go above and beyond to offer high-quality, inclusive play opportunities for younger children. We are looking for nominees who excel at creating environments that support crucial developmental milestones, foster imaginative play, and build fundamental social skills in a safe space. The finalists will also demonstrate a deep commitment to supporting solo parent families by combating isolation and offering vital respite, engagement, and community connections. Nominate a service that makes a real difference in the growth and early years of our children.
Best Legal Service
This award celebrates legal firms, non-profit organizations, university law clinics, and community advice centers that go above and beyond to provide crucial support to solo parents navigating complex legal issues. We are looking for services that demonstrate exceptional commitment in areas vital to family stability, such as: family law (e.g., child arrangements, protective orders, separation), housing disputes, welfare benefits appeals, and assistance with debt and financial claims.
Finalists will be recognized for their accessibility (including clear explanations, Pro-bono work and flexible appointment options), their empathetic approach to sensitive and high-stress cases, and their proven ability to achieve positive outcomes that significantly improve the safety, financial security, or stability of solo parent families. Nominate a service that truly champions access to justice.
Best Venue
This award celebrates north west establishments, including cafés, restaurants, libraries, or community centers, that actively go beyond basic accessibility requirements to support solo parent families. Nominees should demonstrate excellence in: Accessibility (easy entry/exit for prams/wheelchairs, adequate space between tables, proximity to public transport); Child-Specific Amenities (clean, unisex baby changing facilities, suitable high chairs, dedicated, secure play zones); and Supportive Service (staff who are genuinely welcoming and understanding of the unique challenges solo parents face, offering help without being asked).
Nominate a space that truly feels like a supportive extension of the solo parent community.
Best Organisation
We’re celebrating organisations that offer exceptional support!
Whether through practical help, community programs, combating loneliness, creating safe spaces, or simply showing consistent care and understanding.
Help us recognise the organisations making a real impact in the lives of single parents — nominate them today!
Biggest Solo Parent Supporter
This award celebrates solo parent supporters in the Northwest who create real, lasting change instead of just giving money or running small services. Nominees could be individuals who change government rules, publicly campaign or advocate, community leaders who get people involved, experts who challenge unfair ideas about solo parents, or people in local services who start new, helpful programs. We are looking for demonstrable evidence that their support is widespread and long-lasting, elevating the solo parent community.
Beauty Award
Our Beauty Award honours beauty professionals who make a real difference to single parent families. Nominate a beautician, hairdresser, makeup artist, barber, or any beauty specialist who goes above and beyond to support single parents.
If they make single parents feel beautiful inside and out, we want to celebrate them.
Health and Wellbeing Award
Know someone who supports the health and wellbeing of single parents? Nominate them for our Health & Wellbeing Award!
We’re celebrating counsellors, fitness professionals, wellness coaches, alternative therapists, and anyone dedicated to improving the physical, mental, or emotional wellbeing of single parent families.
Help us recognise the people who uplift, heal, and empower our community — nominate a wellbeing champion today!
Media Mogul
Know a media creator who uplifts single parents or those who support them? Nominate them for our Media Mogul Award!
We’re celebrating photographers, bloggers, vloggers, influencers, journalists, podcasters, radio hosts and more who use their platform to share inspiring stories, raise awareness, and make a positive impact on single parent families.
Help us honour the storytellers who help our community feel seen and supported — nominate a Media Mogul today!
Community Award
This award celebrates volunteers, organisers, advocates, mentors, and everyday heroes who make a real difference in the lives of single parent families through kindness, action, and community spirit.
Help us honour those who strengthen and uplift our community — nominate a Community Champion today!
Performer Award
Know a talented performer who inspires or uplifts single parent families? Nominate them for our Performer Award!
We’re celebrating singers, bands, poets, dancers, spoken-word artists, and all performers who use their creativity to bring joy, connection, or inspiration to our community.
Help us honour the artists who make a difference — nominate a performer today!
Sports Superstar
We’re celebrating players, coaches, trainers, and sports leaders who encourage confidence, teamwork, wellbeing, and community spirit among single parents and their children.
Help us recognise the role models who motivate and empower — nominate a Sports Superstar today!
Adventure Award
Know a place or experience that brings joy and adventure to single parent families? Nominate it for our Adventure Award!
We’re celebrating hotels, attractions, guides, holiday providers, days out, and organisations that create fun, memorable, and accessible adventures for single parents and their children.
Help us honour those who make unforgettable experiences possible — nominate an adventure champion today!
Mentor Award
Do you know someone who guides, encourages, and empowers single parents or their families? Nominate them for our Mentor Award!
We’re celebrating mentors, coaches, role models, and supportive individuals who offer wisdom, guidance, and a steady hand to help single parents grow, thrive, and overcome challenges.
Help us honour the people who make a lasting impact — nominate a mentor today!
Individual Adult's Awards - For individuals who are 18+ and Solo Parents themselves!
SPU Superstar
Do you know an incredible single parent who deserves to be celebrated? Nominate them for our Single Parent Superstar Award!
We’re honouring single parents who show strength, resilience, love, and determination, those who go above and beyond for their families, overcome challenges, and inspire others through their journey.
Help us shine a light on the everyday heroes raising the next generation — nominate a Single Parent Superstar today!
Entrepreneur Award
Do you know a single parent building something amazing? Nominate them for our Single Parent Entrepreneur Award!
We’re celebrating single parents who run businesses, launch projects, or create opportunities while balancing family life. Their creativity, determination, and drive inspire others and make a real impact.
Help us recognise the trailblazing single parents turning their dreams into reality — nominate a Single Parent Entrepreneur today!
Individual Kid's Awards - For individuals who are 17 and under and part of a solo parent family!
Mini Superstar
Do you know a child of a single parent who shines bright? Nominate them for our Mini Superstar Award!
We’re celebrating young stars who inspire through their talent, kindness, creativity, or determination. These children are making a difference, big or small, in their families and communities.
Help us recognise the next generation of amazing young people — nominate a Mini Superstar today!
Mini Community Award
Do you know a child of a single parent who makes a positive impact in their community? Nominate them for our Mini Community Award!
We’re celebrating young changemakers who show kindness, leadership, or helpfulness, and make their families or communities a better place.
Help us recognise children making a difference — nominate a Mini Community Star today!
Mini Entrepreneur
We’re celebrating young go-getters who create, innovate, or run small projects or businesses, showing creativity, determination, and drive beyond their years.
Help us shine a light on the next generation of young entrepreneurs — nominate a Mini Entrepreneur today!
Award Rules:
1. Key Dates
-
Nominations Open: 1st December at 6pm GMT
-
Nominations Close: 24th December at 11:59pm GMT.
-
Finalists Announced: 7th January at 12pm GMT.
-
Public Voting Opens: Shortly following the finalist announcement.
2. Eligibility & Categories
To ensure fairness and clarity, the following definitions apply to all entries:
Individual Categories
-
Adults: Nominees must be aged 18 and over.
-
Kids: Nominees must be aged 17 and under.
-
Geographic Eligibility: Nominees should be resident in or have a demonstrable connection to the North West region.
Business & Organisation Entries
This category is open to commercial businesses, non-profits, community groups, and professional individuals. To be eligible, the entry must fit at least one of the following criteria and the geographic eligibility:
-
Help: Places, organisations, or people that actively provide help, support, or resources to solo parents.
-
Advocate: Places, organisations, or people that champion the rights and wellbeing of solo parents.
-
Owned by Solo Parents: Businesses or organisations that are founded, owned, or led by a solo parent.
-
Geographic Eligibility: Nominees should be resident in or have a demonstrable connection to the North West region.
3. Nomination Rules
-
Self-Nomination: You are permitted to nominate yourself if you believe your achievements warrant recognition.
-
Submission Requirements:
-
Reason for Nomination: Every nomination must include a clear, written reason detailing why the individual deserves the award.
-
Contact Information: You must provide valid contact details for both the nominee and the nominator. This is required to verify the nomination and contact finalists.
-
-
Verification: Solo Parents United CIC reserves the right to verify the validity of any nomination. If a nominee’s contributions cannot be verified, the nomination may be withdrawn.
4. Selection Process & Voting
The path to winning an SPU Award consists of two distinct stages:
Stage 1: Selection of Finalists
-
After nominations close on December 24th, a panel of independent judges will review all valid entries.
-
The judges will select the Finalists for each award category based on the strength of the nomination and the verified achievements.
Stage 2: Determining the Winners
-
Finalists will be announced at mid-day on January 7th.
-
Public Vote: A public vote will commence shortly after the announcement.
-
Weighted Scoring: The final winners will be determined by a split voting system:
-
50% of the score is determined by the Public Vote.
-
50% of the score is determined by the Judges.
-
-
The combination of these two scores will decide the winner.
5. General Terms
-
Judges' Decision: All decisions made by the judging panel regarding finalists and the allocation of their 50% vote share are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding these decisions.
-
Privacy: Contact details provided during the nomination process will be used solely for the administration of the awards and will be handled in accordance with Solo Parents United CIC’s data protection policies.