Rochdale Diversity Awards 2016

Rochdale Diversity Awards 2016
Lifetime Achievement Award - Councillor Dalaat Ali (centre)

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Rochdale Town Hall was buzzing for the annual Rochdale Diversity Awards ceremony on Thursday night.

The Mayor and Mayoress, Ray and Elaine Dutton, Chief Constable Ian Hopkins and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd were among the top table guest.

Judges sought out the most inspirational work that demonstrated 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.

The winners:

• Lifetime Achievement Award - Councillor Dalaat Ali
• Workforce Diversity Award – Chevron Traffic Management Ltd
• Diversity in Education Award – Maker Space Project, Kirkholt
• Diversity in Apprenticeships – Smart Electrical Engineering
• Breaking Barriers Award – Falinge Park High School
• Diversity in Health and Leisure Award – Joel White
• Diversity in Housing Award – Petrus
• Voluntary and Faith Sector Award – Rochdale Flood Volunteers
• Outstanding Achievement in Diversity Award – PCSO Jenny George
• Cohesion Award – Link4Life Youth Services 

Zulf Ahmed, CEO of the Kashmir Youth Project, said: “Tonight we have seen and heard about many organisations and individuals that work tirelessly across communities to promote diversity and cohesion.

“On behalf of KYP and the Rochdale Diversity Awards judging panel, I would like to congratulate all the nominees and in particular the finalists. The calibre of nominations was very high this year and the judging panel had a very difficult time judging choosing one winner for each category, which goes to show the level of work being undertaken across the borough.

“We hope that they will continue their excellent work and this will inspire others to develop and deliver more effective, innovative and responsive services.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “I’m not from Rochdale but I have to say that I am very proud to be in Rochdale tonight to see the incredible work that’s being done.

“What we are doing is bringing hope to the borough, and that aspiration and hope that the young people can achieve.”

He added: “What we are here for is the human spirit – it is the human spirit that brings us all together, we are all brothers and sisters, all of us, and we all have to work together.”

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “I am delighted to be here in Rochdale at an event which represents social cohesion, and I also am delighted that Greater Manchester Police is sponsoring the workforce diversity award this evening.”

The awards aim to motivate service providers by ensuring equality and diversity issues are central to the re-modelling and transformation of local services and organisations affected by austerity measures.