Rochdale Diversity Awards Winners 2015

Rochdale Diversity Awards Winners 2015

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The Rochdale Diversity Awards were held at an inspiring evening at Rochdale Town Hall on Thursday 28 May.

The judges sought out the most inspirational work that demonstrates contributions made by individuals, groups and/or organisations in making progress within their organisations and/or communities towards inclusion, cohesion and diversity within the workplace, communities and/or service provision.

1. Workforce Diversity Award - Sponsored by Great Places

Winner: Rochdale Training

Collected by Jeremy Roberts: "We have got a very long standing relationship with KYP, and we are very proud to be working with them. KYP and Rochdale Training are definitely at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of apprenticeship take up in the north-west and across the UK. This award is great, thank you very much."

2. Diversity in Apprenticeships - Sponsored by The Regenda Group

Winner: Great Places Housing Apprenticeship Program

Collected by Massud Ahmed: "We are really proud of our apprenticeship program and will continue to try and make it innovative and diverse. We have supported 32 through the program in the last three years and we try to do our best by all our apprentices, so thank you very much."

3. Diversity in Health and Leisure - Sponsored by Pennine Care Trust

Winner: CSVR Volunteer Driver Service

Collected by Michelle Warburton (CEO): "We are so excited and incredibly proud of our volunteer driver service, particularly of our volunteers who without them it just wouldn’t operate at all. We managed to support quite a lot of people who were unable to use public transport before, and that’s due to the dedication of the people who are involved in this organisation. Thank you to all the drivers.

4. The Diversity in Education Award - Sponsored by Rochdale Training

Winner: The Talk English Project - RMBC

Collected by Steph Rush: "Thanks everybody I’m delighted to win this award on behalf of the talk English Project, although I sort of oversee this project I cannot take the glory for the work that’s taken place it’s down to the whole team, so I'd like to dedicate this award to the fantastic team that we have got running this project. So thank you to them, thank you everybody."

5. Cohesion Award - Sponsored by Rochdale Safer Community Partnership

Winner: Borough of Rochdale Multi Faith Partnership

Collected by: Sultan Ali (CEO) "I'd like to thank the organisers, the nominators, the panel and the people of Rochdale for this award."

6. Diversity in Housing Award - Sponsored by RBH

Winner: Newbarn Ltd

Collected by Kiaran Burke: “Thank you everybody, thank you for the nomination, thank you to the Rochdale people, thanks to all the staff. This is a real big surprise, it's amazing. We must thank the Blue Pit Housing Action Association, they're a brand new company that are dynamic and we have learnt a lot from them. Thank you very much."

7. Breaking Barriers Award - Sponsored by Link4Life

Winner: Rochdale Gateway Leisure

Collected by Pauline Duffy: "I feel a bit shocked to be receiving this award but I also feel really grateful. Gateway are a fantastic organisation, supporting some really diverse individuals and we are really proud to receive this award. Thank you."

8. Voluntary and Faith Sector Award - Sponsored by the Council for Voluntary Service Rochdale

Winner: Regenda Community Champions

Collected by Ann Marie Lewis: "I just want to say I am so proud of our volunteers, they have been amazing. They have given up so much of their own time to help the community and we are very very proud of them. We couldn't have accepted this without the help of our many partners, we have been involved with some people in the area and it has been an amazing success so thank you to everyone who has helped us."

9. Outstanding Achievement in Diversity - Sponsored by GMP

Winner: Fida Hussain

"There's some fantastic people in Rochdale, they are an inspiration. It's an honour to take this award for the people of Rochdale. Thank you."

Richard Farnell, Leader of the Council said: “It is a privilege for the council to once again support the Rochdale Diversity Awards organised by KYP.

"The awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the positive things that are happening, and as Leader of the Council I am delighted to be a part of the celebrations that recognise our achievements.

“The charities, role models and community heroes that are being honoured tonight are to be praised for their outstanding devotion to enhancing equality and diversity and inclusion across the borough. By doing so they are embracing the excellence of all our citizens, irrespective of their race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and culture.”

Simon Danczuk MP said: "Thank you to all the different sponsors who have made this occasion possible, it's a delight to be here and it's great to be celebrating all the great work that is being done by people across Rochdale, day in and day out, may it continue for many more years ahead. I hope everyone has a fantastic night and well done to all the winners."

Zulf Amed, CEO of KYP, said: "It's been a great event, a lot of great examples of diversity have been showcased today which I'm sure everyone here can see. There's been a great buzz around the place, with people from different cultures and different organisations, the private sector, the public sector - they are all here.

"All this year’s entrants have been of really high calibre and it's unfortunate that there can only be one winner in each category.

"I'd like to thank the sponsors, to everyone who has supported us and the media partners like Rochdale Online as the media has a vital role to help promote diversity across the region. Thank you."