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3 nominations from readers

• Mary should win the award because she started as a trainee last year and single handedly increased our number of regular volunteers from 5 to 20. Mary is truly inspirational. Last quarter she managed production of 70 e-books and made 70 people's dreams come true. Mary exceeded our expectations of her due to her passion, professionalism, bloody mindedness and committment to being a social entrepreneur and helping empower others.

  08 April 2008

• Because she has saved lives, empowered lives of others and shown empathy to all

  Nominated by Adnandus Dyzantae, 08 April 2008

• I’ve had other people in her position previously, but none has managed to bring out as many E-Books as she has. She has doubled our out-put. She’s done this through thinking about what we as an enterprise want to do in theory and how she can best and most efficiently make this happen in practice. She does this because she’s organised and can reflect and use her judgement; she knows her own limitations in terms of time and skill and is practical in her planning. She’s introduced new admin procedures for her position which makes all our work more worthwhile and sustainable.

  She has doubled our output in part through developing links with a local university and increasing the number of volunteers we can give opportunities to. She’s also trained volunteers in formatting as well as editing which her predecessor didn’t do.

  So by helping youngsters at university she is simultaneously helping more people with mental health problems as she can bring out more E-Books more quickly. This is just one example of how she has used innovative creative business ideas and partnerships, and created more opportunities for more people from different groups.

  Once produced, because they don’t have to be printed or re-printed, E-Books are always available and very sustainable, but Mary has also made a sustainable contribution to social change by empowering people:

  People who’ve been mentally ill but have now written a book will promote it through public speaking etc. This sustains their own confidence and skills gains and will help more service users. In the long run she is helping change society’s prejudices.

  The next generation, the volunteers who Mary has trained, encouraged and built a team from, will go into the world with this positive experience of social enterprise, no-matter what exact fields they enter.

  Nominated by Jason Pegler, 07 May 2008

5 comments from readers

• My experience of Mary was very different to a lot of editorial assistants to Publishers. Understandably, they are all under extreme pressure to get on with the job in hand, but Mary goes far beyond the call of duty. In times of a mother's despair, as in my case with my son Adnandus Dyzantae,whose Manuscript "The Ill Literate" she is personally dealing with, she has listened with utter compassion to my story...a story she must have heard a million times before in her line of work...as though she was hearing a mother's pain for the first time. I have come to rely on her as a touchstone without even having met her, through her kind phone manner. Regarding her work, she is meticulously thorough and offers extremely sensible advice when asked for it, which in my case I have always paid heed to. Without fobbing me off even once, she manages somehow, to get to the point of my often rambling questions and gives me a perfectly worded, concise answer to my questions. I have often rung her, knowing she is too busy to take my call, often with anxieties about my Son's work, but she has never once made me feel as if I am imposing on her, which is a quality not often seen in today's impatient world. Mary creates time where there is none. Her competence goes without saying. She will reply instantly to an E-Mail to let you know you are not forgotten, no matter how relevant...or not...your inquiry is. People skills in any line of work are vital, and Mary has a natural instinct to offer kindness and encouragement when she senses it is needed. On a practical level, she has offered me a host of good ideas as to how to publicise my Son's work, and on an emotional level, she took the time to read it and tell me she liked it, which has boosted my Son's confidence no end. Those who work with her and know her on a personal level are fortunate indeed.

  Submitted by Shireen Jamil, 08 May 2008

• "THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY"...

  Mary's voice hasn't met my ears, yet it has come ringing through into them by the way of my Mother with whom she has been discussing the publication of my Book, "The Ill Literate". Mary has imbued in me the notion that a book doesn't have to be perfect or even professional to have some relevant substance worth sharing with the human eye. I can only write within the framework of my mental limitations and Mary's encouragement has given me tremendous confidence, as she is clearly insightful and well educated. Her advice in regard to the promoting of this Book has been both practical and imaginative and I hope to work with her myself at some point in time.

  Submitted by Adnandus Dyzantae, 08 May 2008

• Mary has been a true inspiration to me as a writer. My life was in ruins when I completed my first book. I was in hospital under suicide watch when I submitted it. Mary recognised my achievement and helped me turn it into a successful e-book.

  From the ashes of despair my book was born, backed by the support and encouragement of Mary and her hardworking team of volunteers. This was my first book "The Celtic Holy Grail Quest". Its publication marks a life changing event for me. Since then I have never looked back and her faith in my abilities and her constant support has resulted in two further e-books. I have never been so excited about anything as my latest book, "Moon Rabbit", a magical fantasy story that tackles the difficult subject of bullying. I am a new person now, my self esteem and confidence restored by Mary, without whom I may literally not be here now. Thank you Mary.

  Submitted by David Stocs, 08 May 2008

• I am one of many undergraduate students that Chipmunka Publishing gave the opportunity to complete a work placement with. Mary was my first port of call and was friendly, approachable and dedicated to the task at hand, which had a direct affect on my positive attitude to the work. Mary taught me editing and formatting skills until I was competent and up to the high standards set. Mary helped me progress in my career and personal confidence and most importantly gave me the opportunity to work for an organisation that I feel is an extremely worthwhile and valid cause. It gave me a real insight into how social enterprises can and do work, and gave me the desire to try and work for one.

  Submitted by Paul Kirven, 09 May 2008

• Mary is the epitome of professionalism and blends it beautifully with empathy and warmth. She seems to have no concept of "Office Hours" as she is ALWAYS there when you need her. She has gone far past what anyone could have expected of someone whose time is so in demand. I will never be able to thank her enough for the support and confidence she has gifted my almost shattered family. I believe she has found her calling and anyone lucky enough to work with this fine young woman is truly blessed.

  Submitted by Jameela Jamil, 09 May 2008