Nominations open for Rochdale Diversity Awards 2013

Rochdale’s Diversity Awards - winners from 2012

The diversity of Rochdale is to be celebrated at a special awards ceremony in July with nominations now being taken.

Rochdale’s Diversity Awards will be presented at the Town Hall on 5 July after the success of the inaugural ceremony last year.

It is anticipated organisations, groups and businesses involved in delivering a range of valuable services to the diverse communities living in Rochdale will provide very strong nominees this year.

A spokesperson said: “This is both a response and a conscious effort by the organisers to highlight that all sectors and communities have a role to play in supporting and promoting diversity and cohesion.

“Last year’s awards proved to be a tremendous success with many partners eagerly awaiting this year’s awards and a further opportunity to celebrate the excellent work that takes place in Rochdale.

“The calibre of award winners last year was very high and the judging panel is expecting a strong response from local organisations, groups and businesses this year.”

The awards, which have been sponsored by a number of prominent local organisations, aim to recognise progress made towards race equality, inclusion and diversity.

Rochdale Food Bank will be the charity partner for this year’s event.

Organisers have added five new categories this year to celebrate diversity in education, retail, the voluntary and faith sector, commissioning and contracting and breaking barriers.

The deadline for nominations is 12 noon on Friday 21 June, and forms and further information on judging are available at www.kyp.org.uk/2013-awards

Nomination forms can be emailed to rochdale-diversity-awards@kyp.org.uk or posted to KYP, Unique Enterprise Centre, Belfield Road, Rochdale, OL16 2UP.

The full list of award categories for 2013 is as follows:

• Cohesion Award - sponsored by Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership

• Workforce Diversity Award - sponsored by the New Shamwari Project
• Diversity in Apprenticeships - sponsored by Rochdale Training
• Diversity in Education Award (new) - sponsored by Great Places Housing Association
• Diversity in Health Award - sponsored by Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
• Diversity in Housing Award - sponsored by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing
• Diversity in Leisure Award - sponsored by Link 4 Life
• Diversity in Retail Award (new) – sponsored by KYP
• Breaking Barriers Award (new) - sponsored by the Challenge Network
• Commissioners and Contractors Award (new) - sponsored by Language Empire
• Voluntary & Faith Sector Award (new) - sponsored by Rochdale Council and Greater Manchester Police