Rochdale Diversity Awards 2017

Rochdale Diversity Awards 2017

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Rochdale Town Hall was buzzing with excitement at the annual Rochdale Diversity Awards ceremony on Friday night (19 May).

The new Mayor and Mayoress, Ian and Christine Duckworth, and Lord Qurban Hussain were among the top table guests.

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:

• Workforce Diversity Award – RBH Community Partnership Team
• Diversity in Education Award – Rochdale Boroughwide Housing
• Diversity in Apprenticeships Award – Rochdale and District Mind
• Breaking Barriers Award – Deaf Rhinos FC
• Diversity in Health and Leisure Award – Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation
• Voluntary and Faith Sector Award – Sister Noel Barron
• Outstanding Achievement in Diversity Award – Jamshed Miah and the Duke of Edinburgh group
• Diversity in Public Sector Award – Rochdale Connections Trust
• Cohesion Award – Madina Mosque

Zulf Ahmed, CEO of the Kashmir Youth Project, said: “Diversity emanates from this Great Hall in front of me and Rochdale continues to lead the way when it comes to equality and diversity.

“This is the sixth year of the Rochdale Diversity Awards and tonight we see and hear of examples of good practice from across all sections of the community, from private, public and voluntary organisations, from individuals, groups and partnerships. These are the things that make me proud to be Rochdalian.

“We should all challenge the negative portrayal of Rochdale and celebrate all that is good in the borough, after all, we have many things to be proud of and everyone in this room should have one aim, to work together in co-operation for the harmony and prosperity of the residents and community of Rochdale.”

Zulf Ali was host for the evening with speeches from Mayor Ian Duckworth, Leader of the Council Richard Farnell, Chief Superintendent Neil Evans, football coach Annie Zaidi and Lord Qurban Hussain.

Mayor Ian Duckworth officially opened the event, saying how proud he was to be Mayor of such a diverse borough and to be associated with KYP.

Leader of the Council Richard Farnell said: “We recognise the importance in celebrating the borough in which we have a rich diversity.”

Councillor Jane Howard, the Conservative Party’s candidate for Rochdale’s MP, and Labour’s candidate, Tony Lloyd, were both put on the spot and called up for a short speech.

Councillor Howard said: “I’m so proud of the town. There is more that unites us than divides us and I hope to bring pride back and show there is good stuff and a cohesive nature in the borough.”

Tony Lloyd said: “Sometimes the outside see the negative, here, inside, we know the positive. Let’s make Rochdale proud and strong. I’m genuinely very proud to stand to the people of Rochdale tonight.”

Football coach Annie Zaidi gave a presentation on how she has battled racism, sexism, and Islamophobia whilst chasing her football dream. Ms Zaidi won the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration at the 2015 Sportswomen of the Year Awards and was the first UK Muslim woman to be awarded a level two coach badge from the Football Association.

She told of how the men’s team she coached in Newcastle saw her as a coach after twelve weeks, after barriers were broken, adding they showed community cohesion as they ‘had her back’.

Ms Zaidi now has her own foundation that focuses on empowering, inspiring and encouraging women and girls to chase and fulfil their dreams. She is set to take on her UEFA A coaching licence on 1 January 2018 having passed her UEFA B last month.

Lord Hussain mentioned how much of great pleasure it was to attend, and how pleased he was to see KYP’s success.

The vote of thanks and closing remarks were made by Ayesha Fulat, Chairwoman of KYP.