Sensitive Information

When a sensitive story needs a steadier hand

This service is for nominations that include illness, disability, bereavement, domestic pressure, trauma, safeguarding concerns or other private matters. The aim is not to make the story bigger, but to shape it so the nominee is recognised without exposing details that do not belong in a public submission.

We look at what should stay in the form, what should be softened, and what can be left out completely. A strong sensitive nomination still gives the judging team enough context to understand the nominee’s actions, but it does so with restraint and care.

• Private health details are limited to what is necessary
• Family matters are framed without gossip or blame
• Crisis details are handled in plain, respectful language
• Identifying information is reduced where it is not needed

What this service covers in practice

We help with the wording of the nomination itself and with the handling of supporting material. That includes deciding whether a detail belongs in the main story, in a note for the judging team, or nowhere at all. Where a story has several layers, we keep the thread clear so the nomination does not become heavy or confusing.

The work normally covers sensitive phrasing, consent checks, privacy notes and the handling of evidence that may reveal too much. We also flag wording that may be too broad, too emotional or too specific for a public-facing awards process.

• Story wording for health, family or crisis-related nominations
• Privacy review for names, places and identifying details
• Guidance on whether photos or messages should be shared
• Notes for situations involving children, carers or vulnerable people

A careful process from first note to final submission

We start by reading the nomination details as they stand, then separate the parts that are essential from the parts that are private. After that, we shape the wording so the nomination still feels real, but does not expose the nominee or others to unnecessary attention. If the story involves more than one person, we look at each person’s role before anything is submitted.

The process is measured and practical. It usually moves through a short review, a wording pass, a privacy check and a final consent check. If the nomination includes supporting files, we also look at whether they match the level of detail already in the form.

• Initial review of the story and supporting details
• Privacy screening for names, dates and locations
• Plain-language rewrite where needed
• Final check before the nomination is submitted

Judging, consent and privacy all stay in view

A good sensitive nomination does not try to win sympathy. It shows what the nominee did, why it mattered, and how the community was helped. The judging process is meant to assess service, care, impact and consistency, so the wording has to support those points without oversharing.

Consent matters at every step. If the nominee can give informed consent, we note that clearly. If the nominee cannot be contacted easily, or if the story contains vulnerable details, we treat the submission with extra caution and keep personal information to the minimum needed for review.

• Only the details needed for judging are included
• Names of other people are used carefully or left out
• Medical, family or crisis notes are never added loosely
• Private material is treated as confidential submission content

Turnaround, pricing and what the work includes

Pricing is quoted according to the amount of editing, privacy handling and evidence review required. A short nomination with light wording help is priced differently from a more complex story that needs several privacy checks. We keep the approach straightforward so the work can be matched to the level of sensitivity involved.

For timing, the work depends on how complete the nomination is when it arrives. A neat brief with clear facts is quicker to shape than a file with mixed notes, missing consent or unclear relationships. The service includes written guidance, wording support and a final privacy pass before submission.

• Quoted on the detail and sensitivity of the nomination
• Can include one or more revision passes
• Suitable for individual nominees or family-led nominations
• Useful when the public story needs careful trimming

Aftercare once the nomination has gone in

After submission, we keep the file orderly in case a nomination needs updating, clarification or a privacy correction. That matters where a family detail changes, a name is misspelt, or a supporting note needs to be softened further. We also keep the wording style consistent if the nomination is expanded later.

If a sensitive matter grows more complex, the safest move is usually a tighter summary rather than a longer one. The point is to protect the nominee and anyone mentioned in the story, while still keeping the nomination honest and useful for review.

• Support for updates to names, wording or supporting notes
• Privacy corrections where a detail was added too freely
• Consistent tone if the nomination is expanded later
• Careful handling of follow-up information linked to the same case

Braamfontein coordination for nominations across the country

Our team works from Braamfontein, Johannesburg, with nominations open to the public across South Africa, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha and Polokwane. Sensitive stories often arrive from households, schools, clinics, neighbourhood groups and local volunteers, so the wording has to work across different settings and family structures.

For this service, the key standard is respect. The nomination should tell the truth without putting private pain on display. If you want help finding that balance, enquiries can be sent through our contact form on our contact page.