Locals nominated for 2023 National Diversity Awards

Eleven individuals and organisations have been nominated for a National Diversity Award this year.

Eight people have been nominated across four categories for positive role models in age, disability, gender, and race, religion and faith, with three companies and organisations nominated in three categories.

Rochdale company Personal Independence Payment Professionals has been nominated in the Community Organisation Award for Disability category, whilst Become United has been nominated in the Community Organisation Award for Race, Religion and Faith Category.

Another group, Weird Pride, has been nominated for the Community Organisation Award for Multi-Strand.

The full list of local nominees includes:

• Hassan Ali – Positive Role Model Award for Age
• Hollie Barton - Positive Role Model Award for Disability
• Rachel Cracknell – Positive Role Model Award for Disability
• Sign with Millie - Positive Role Model Award for Disability
• Dylan Lombard - Positive Role Model Award for Disability
• Nasrine Akhtar - Positive Role Model Award for Race, Religion & Faith
• Become United - Community Organisation Award for Race, Religion & Faith
• Stephainee Gillian - Positive Role Model Award for Gender
• Rachel Adam - Positive Role Model Award for Gender
• Personal Independence Payment Professionals - Community Organisation Award for Disability
• Weird Pride - Community Organisation Award for Multi-Strand                

PIP Professionals is a small certified social enterprise which was founded in 2018 by Cat Gillett.

PIPPS works to ensure claimants are awarded the correct rate of disability benefits. The majority of PIP Professionals’ profit goes into offering free advice and support to those who need it.

The company was also nominated in 2021 and 2019, and was shortlisted from 28,000 nominations down to the final 8.
 

Read more: Rochdale company shortlisted for Community Organisation Award for Disability at the National Diversity Awards 2019Published: 09 July 2019

Become United is a community group for the Greater Manchester BAME community, focusing on four areas: mental health, sport, youth and resources. It brings people together, from hosting community events and fundraisers to providing mentorship and support to individuals in need.

Rachel Cracknell, who is nominated as a positive role model for disability, describes herself as a 28-year-old with multiple disabilities who loves spending time with her family and friends.

She said: “I’m a 28-year-old who has multiple disabilities causing me to battle through every single day of my life. I’m a full-time wheelchair user and hoisted due to my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

“Most days I struggle with my breathing due to Tracheobronchomalacia which means my large and small airway is collapsed. Despite all of this, and many other illnesses, I just love spending time with my family and friends and try every day to forget about what I go through.”

Hassan Ali, founder of local youth organisation All4Youth, says the nomination shows their work is being recognised. Based in Rochdale, All4Youth aims to take youths off the streets and into a place of safety. The organisation also provides support and guidance to those suffering from mental health issues, drug/alcohol addiction, bullying, depression, anxiety, and more.

Despite being called ‘All4Youth’, the organisation also raises awareness of what older generations should look out for and how they can support the younger generation.

Hassan said: "I am honoured to be nominated for the National Diversity Award. It shows our work is getting recognised by the youth and community, win or not our work with the community will continue and this will be our motivation to continue."

The National Diversity Awards were created to celebrate and recognise the hard work of grassroot communities and people who have been dedicated to tackling societal issues.

Charities, role models and community heroes will be honoured at a prestigious ceremony showcasing their outstanding devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion.

The concept for the National Diversity Awards arose when The Diversity Group identified an urgent need for more positive role models to be actively promoted, with the aim to empower and inspire the diverse communities across the UK.

To vote for each of the nominees, please visit: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/awards-2023/nominations/ and search for the person or organisation name.

A shortlist will be announced in July following a judges’ meeting.