The 2024 Rochdale Diversity Awards took place on 22 November 24 at the Town Hall, marking a significant celebration of equality, diversity, and inclusion in the borough. Over 300 guests attended including nominees, keynote speakers, guests of honour, and representatives from leading organisations in Rochdale.
Hosted annually by KYP Since 2012, the awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals, organisations and employers who promote best practices in making the borough a more inclusive and cohesive place to live and work in. The event was sponsored by Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Hopwood Hall College, Your Trust, Rochdale Training, Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership and The Greater Manchester High Sheriff’s Police Trust.
The finalists and guests were welcomed to the ceremony by Zulf Ahmed, CEO of KYP who said “Rochdale is a town with a rich and diverse history, culture, and identity. We have a strong tradition of social justice, democracy, and innovation.” He added, “I’m delighted to be here tonight to celebrate the achievements of individuals, groups, and organisations making a positive difference in equality, diversity, and cohesion in our borough.”
The Mayor of Rochdale Cllr Shakil Ahmed officially opened the event.
Paul Waugh (MP Rochdale), through a video message said “This evening is about celebrating those who take diversity a step forward. I am delighted that our borough celebrates diversity in all its forms: class, religion, race, gender, age, or disability. I would like to thank Zulf and KYP for their vision and dedication in organising these awards year after year. All of those nominated this evening are winners in my eyes, for you are the heart and soul of our borough.”
In Parliament on the 21st November, Paul Waugh referred to the Awards ceremony “The Rochdale diversity awards, now in their 12th year and run by the brilliant Kashmir Youth Project, are taking place this weekend. Will the Leader of the House congratulate all the nominees who promote not just the rich diversity of our town, but its community cohesion? The Leader of the House replied, “I am of course pleased to join him in congratulating all the nominees for the Diversity awards this year. He has put that on record, and I am sure that everyone will appreciate it.”
This year’s winners are as follows:
Workforce Diversity Award:
Hopwood Hall College (Presented by Amanda Newton, CEO, and Kevin Brady, Chair of Rochdale Borough Housing)
Diversity in Public Sector Partnership Working Award:
GMP Operation Affect (Presented by Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council & Equalities and Communities Lead for GMCA)
Diversity in Health Award:
Springhill Hospice – Dying Matters Project (Presented by Cllr Shakil Ahmed, Mayor of Rochdale)
Cohesion Award:
Outdoor Education Team- Rochdale Youth Service (Presented by Cllr Janet Elmsley, Deputy Mayor)
Education and Apprenticeships Award:
Skills 4 All (Presented and accepted by Estelle Rowe, Chief Executive, Your Trust on behalf of Skills 4 All who were unable to make it on the night)
Breaking Barriers Award:
Fida Hussain (Presented by Sarah Ogden, Finance Manager, Rochdale Training)
Voluntary & Faith Sector Award:
Cresent Radio (Presented by Nicola Rogers, Assistant Director, Rochdale Borough Council)
Outstanding Achievement in Diversity:
Zahida Bibi (Presented by Julia Heap, Principal and Chief Executive, Hopwood Hall College)
A Special Recognition Award was presented to Sajjad Miah (Community Cohesion, Resilience and Integration Manager, Rochdale Borough Council), for leading community cohesion for the Council and working across sectors to ensure people receive the help they need at the right time.
Zulf Ahmed expressed his gratitude to the judging panel for their time and dedication to ensuring a fair and transparent decision-making process. He acknowledged the challenging task of selecting a single winner from each category due to the record number of nominations received this year, highlighting the wide range of initiatives and good practice taking place in the borough.
Lord Wajid Khan paid tribute to KYP and the Rochdale Diversity Awards. He said, “I congratulate all the nominees and guests for helping to promote unity over division and for putting Rochdale on the map for all the right reasons.”
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, commented, “These awards are an essential event, not just for Rochdale, but for all of Greater Manchester. The late Sir Tony Lloyd was a champion of these awards, both in his capacity as Rochdale’s MP and previously as the Police and Crime Commissioner.” She added, “Together, we can create a world where demographic characteristics do not dictate our career paths, for diversity is a practical necessity.”
Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis (GMP, Rochdale District Commander) encouraged guests by saying “we are all role models for others, so I challenge everybody to be the best they can be.”
Cllr Neil Emmot (Leader, Rochdale Borough Council) greeted the guests in multiple languages, adding, “we are a wonderfully diverse borough”, emphasising the need to be inclusive to all to make Rochdale a safer and better place.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks and closing remarks from Shammsa Jabeen, Chair of KYP, expressing her gratitude to all the sponsors, guests, event organisers, KYP staff and volunteers who made the event a resounding success.
The Rochdale Diversity Awards remain a unique celebration of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Rochdale, Greater Manchester and the Northwest.
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