Family Voices Competition and Gary Seaman Award 2024
Adfam runs two special competitions each year to recognise and give a voice to families affected by addiction.
Family Voices is a creative writing and poetry competition for families to share their stories, while the Gary Seaman Award was set up as a tribute to Gary Seaman, who dedicated his life to supporting families and those struggling with substance use. This year the Gary Seaman Award will recognise the outstanding contribution of volunteers.
This year’s winners will be presented with a prize by a celebrity supporter at Adfam’s Christmas Carol Concert at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street on 12 December, which is being reintroduced this year to celebrate Adfam’s 40th anniversary.
Family Voices Competition 2024
Deadline: Wednesday 13th November 2024 | 12 noon
Description: Adfam’s Family Voices Competition is a poetry and creative writing competition for anyone with lived experience of the substance use or gambling of a family member or loved one. The competition provides an opportunity for families to share their story and creatively express their thoughts and feelings. Entries can highlight both the rawness and reality of one’s experience, whilst also be reflective and tell stories of hope and inspiration.
The winning entry and two runners-up will be read out by a celebrity supporter at Adfam’s Carol Concert, before being awarded a prize at the event.
What to enter: An original piece of creative writing or poem of up to 500 words.
Where to send it: admin@adfam.org.uk
Read the 2022 runner-up, ‘Need’ by Kristy
Gary Seaman Award 2024
Deadline: Wednesday 13th November 2024 | 12 noon
Description: We are inviting nominations for this year’s Gary Seaman Award which will recognise the contribution of an outstanding volunteer who has made a difference supporting family members affected by drugs, alcohol or gambling.
The award was set up in memory of Gary Seaman who dedicated his life to support carers and those impacted by the effects of substance misuse in the London Borough of Lewisham and beyond. After Gary died in 2013 his partner Michael and two sons, Alex and Luca, chose Adfam as the charity to honour Gary’s memory due to his close association with Adfam and our cause.
Since then the award has recognised the amazing work of practitioners across the country for their work supporting families affected by substance use. For 2024 the Gary Seaman Award will highlight the outstanding contribution of volunteers. The winner will be be presented with a prize at Adfam’s Carol Concert.
To enter please download the entry form (doc), complete and return it by email to admin@adfam.org.uk by 12 noon on Wednesday 13th November.
Watch Susanna Reid announce the winner of the Gary Seaman Award 2022, Craig Knowles from Hetty’s.