The finalists have been revealed for a major awards event in Huddersfield to encourage people to think about the importance of diversity, equality and how that drives innovation.
The Kirklees Diversity, Equality and Innovation Awards in September will recognise businesses, organisations and individuals, covering all aspects of diversity including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race and religion.
In short, the award winners will have made a significant impact locally and are outstanding positive role models to others.
There were dozens of nominations for the awards, organised by Kirklees Diversity = Innovation Network, and the judges have now drawn up a shortlist in each category.
Winners will be revealed at the Kirklees Diversity, Equality and Innovation Conference and Awards on Wednesday, September 21, at Kirklees College.
Here are the award categories and shortlist:
Diverse Business
· Deluxe Beds
· Hive Community Café
· Kirklees Library Service
Best Diversity Innovation
· Dial Wood Carriage Riding for the Disabled
· South West Yorkshire Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust
· Sensory World CIC
Public Service
· Alex Feather – Creative Minds Co-ordinator Kirklees, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
· Kirklees Council Local Offer Team
· Linda Johnson – Improvement and Relationships Manager, Kirklees Council
Inclusive Third Sector Organisation
· Huddersfield Literature Festival
· Moonlight Trust
· Rainbow Baby Bank
Inclusive Community Project
· Chickenley Community Centre
· Communities Together
· Serendipity Creative Writers
Diversity Champion of the Year
· Dawn Pearson – Communication, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
· Martyn Haymons – volunteer for Serendipity Creative Writers
· Maysoon Shafiq – Founder and Director, Al Mu’Minun (The Believers)
Outstanding Contribution to Inclusion and Diversity
· Noushin Aslam – Founder, Moonlight Trust
· Rosie Buxton – Chair, Dalton Together
· Tanisha Bramwell – Founder, Bramwell Sports Development Team
Awards and conference co-ordinator Katie Isaacson (pictured above) said: “There have been a fantastic number of entries across all of the categories. It’s great to see such a range of businesses and organisations with diversity and inclusion at their core.
“The panel of eight judges had an incredibly difficult job deciding on our shortlist from such excellent nominations.”
The conference, supported by Kirklees Council, Haddletons legal and business services, Kirklees Active Leisure, Cummins, Syngenta and Kirklees College, will take place between 10.30am and 3pm and will feature inspirational and informative panel discussions in the morning followed by the awards ceremony in the afternoon.
The conference will be for those involved in diversity, equality and inclusion in organisations or the community with a focus on sharing ideas, best practise and resources on how diversity can lead to innovation. It aims to support businesses and organisations to create a culture in which everyone, regardless of their background, feels they belong.
Speakers will include representatives from Kirklees Council, Huddersfield University, Destitute Asylum Seekers in Huddersfield (DASH), Paxman (specialists in scalp-cooling to prevent hair loss during cancer treatment), Syngenta, Cummins, Kirklees Active Leisure and Kirklees Local TV.
The awards and conference are being hosted by freelance journalist and copywriter Andy Hirst who devised and co-ordinated the Huddersfield Examiner’s Community Awards for 21 years and now runs his own Huddersfield-based business AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/).
More details about the awards will be revealed over the coming weeks.
Business and community leaders can apply for tickets to attend the event or watch a live stream. To book your place and for further information visit the event website at https://www.kirkleesdiversityandinnovation.com/
For further information contact Katie Isaacson info@kirkleesdiversityandinnovation.com
