Nominations open for Rochdale Diversity Awards 2024

KYP is pleased to announce that nominations for the Rochdale Diversity Awards (RDA) 2024 are now officially open.

The annual event, which celebrates the borough's rich cultural diversity, is made possible by generous sponsorship from local partners, including Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Rochdale Training, and Your Trust, which will support entertainment and refreshments.

The Rochdale Diversity Awards have been recognising the contributions of individuals and organisations to the town’s cultural richness since the event was first held in May 2012. KYP has proudly managed the awards since their inception, with the aim of acknowledging those who help unlock people’s potential and drive positive change across the borough.

The awards highlight good practices in equality, diversity, and inclusion, aiming to make Rochdale a more harmonious and safer place to live and work.

By celebrating these contributions, the event inspires local service providers to put equality at the heart of their planning and delivery.

The impact of such practices benefits the entire borough, but is especially profound for underrepresented and excluded groups.

These may include individuals discriminated against due to age, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Other groups such as lone parents, refugees, and those battling substance misuse are also recognised.

To nominate an individual, group, or organisation, visit the KYP website where detailed guidance and nomination forms for the 2024 awards are available.

The process involves providing comprehensive information about the nominee’s contributions to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Completed nomination forms should be submitted following the instructions on the website.

Award Categories

This year, the awards will recognise contributions across several categories:

• Cohesion Award: For those who have made an outstanding contribution to championing and improving cohesion in the borough.
• Workforce Diversity Award: For organisations that have championed equality and inclusion in the workplace, reflecting the community and supporting people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Diversity in Education or Apprenticeships Award: Recognising education providers or employers who have embedded diversity within their curriculum or encouraged apprenticeships among underrepresented groups.
• Diversity in Health Award: For individuals or organisations improving health outcomes or services for disadvantaged communities.
• Diversity in Public Sector Partnership Working Award: Acknowledging the efforts of public sector organisations in supporting cohesion and diversity.
• Breaking Barriers Award: For organisations breaking boundaries to ensure their services are accessible and inclusive to underrepresented communities.
• Diversity in Community, Voluntary & Faith Sector Award: Highlighting the role of the voluntary and faith sectors in promoting cohesive communities.
• Outstanding Achievement in Diversity Award: Recognising individuals who go above and beyond in supporting underrepresented communities to achieve their goals.

A panel of independent judges will review all nominations, assessing the impact and significance of the nominees' contributions to equality and diversity within Rochdale. The Rochdale Diversity Awards 2024 also welcomes Springhill Hospice as its charity partner for the year.

Submit your nominations today to help recognise the individuals and organisations making a difference in our community. 

For inspiration, highlights from last year’s ceremony can be viewed via the KYP website: https://kyp.org.uk/

Nomination Deadline: 18 October 2024

Awards Ceremony: 22 November 2024 at Rochdale Town Hall