Rochdale Diversity Awards 2022

Rochdale Diversity Awards 2022

KYP’s Unity Hall was the venue for Rochdale Diversity Awards 2022. Champions of Diversity from across the borough and Greater Manchester attended the event on 30th Nov 2022.

Rochdale Diversity Awards (RDA) organised by KYP returned in 2022 after a break due to the pandemic. The Rochdale Diversity Awards promotes the excellent work being done by individuals, organisations and employers in supporting and promoting equality, diversity and cohesion within the borough. The awards also aim to motivate service providers by ensuring equality and diversity issues are central to the remodelling and transformation of local services and organisations.

The Awards ceremony was attended by a cross section of the community, senior public sector officials, finalists and distinguished guests.

Guest speakers on the night were:

  • Cllr Ali Ahmed – Mayor of Rochdale,
  • Daalat Ali – Deputy Leader of Rochdale Council,
  • Dr Zubair Hanslot – Provost at Bolton University
  • Maqsood Ahmad – CEO British Muslim Heritage Centre
  • Sajjad Karim –  CEO Haider Global BVBA Brussels, Corporate Lawyer and Former MEP for the Northwest 2004-2019

who all spoke about the importance of embracing diversity within their own organisations and across all walks of life.

The calibre and quality of nominations received for the awards was outstanding and the judging panel had a very difficult time in selecting one winner from each category. The evening showcased and celebrated good practice from across all sections of the community, from private, public and voluntary organisations, from individuals, groups and partnerships as finalists and winners were announced.  Rochdale continues to strive to be an exemplar for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Zulf Ahmed, CEO of KYP, welcomed the guests and finalists. Zulf said “ The last Diversity Awards ceremony was held in 2017 and due to various reasons including austerity and the pandemic it has not been possible for us to come together recognise, reward and share good practice from across the borough. I would like to thank Action Together for providing the support and funding to enable us to revive Rochdale Diversity Awards.  We are a borough of different communities, these diverse communities don’t make us weak, they are the source of our strength. The Rochdale Diversity Awards allow us to 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.

Zulf congratulated all the finalists and winners on their achievement and good work.

The winners were:

  • Cohesion Award – Cartwheel Arts.
  • Workforce Diversity Award – Rochdale Borough Council ( Raising Participation Team) .
  • Diversity in Apprenticeships –  Rochdale Training.
  • Diversity in Education Award – Tree of Life.
  • Diversity in Health & Social Care – Petrus Communities.
  • Breaking Barriers Award – Rochdale and District Mind – Dementia and Care Service.
  • Diversity in public sector partnership working award – Rochdale Sixth Form College – Intergenerational project.
  • Voluntary and Faith Sector Award – Awakening Minds.
  • Outstanding Achievement in Diversity Award – Humera Haqqani MBE.
  • Special Recognition Award for Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Chief Inspector Andy Riley.
  • Special Recognition Award for supporting the VCSE sector – Zen Internet.

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