Member Article

Winners announced at the 2011 North East Equality Awards

The winners of the 2011 North East Equality Awards were announced at a glittering Awards ceremony held at the Gosforth Marriott Hotel on 21st October.

Guests heard an informative and entertaining keynote address from Vidar Hjardeng, Diversity Manager for ITV News Group. Other speakers included Paul Johnstone, Partner Muckle LLP and Chair of Equality North East andLiz Reay, Chief Executive of Equality North East.

Philippa Davies was host for the evening which began with a wonderful performance of sensory music from young people from the Percy Hedley Foundation who are part of ‘The SoundScapes Music Project.’

This was followed by the sponsors presenting the awards to the winners in true ‘Oscar’ style. Hoops of delight could be heard by the delighted winners and the night ended with music and dancing with the fabulous ‘Anna Reay Band’

Over £1000 was raised from the raffle and this is being donated to the YMCA North Shields for a sensory room for young people with special needs.

Liz Reay commented ’’Once again we had a record breaking number of applications and the standard is getting higher every year. Despite cuts and economic uncertainty employers are still seeing the benefits of good equality practice and are going to impressive lengths to embed fairness into their organisations. This can only be good for individuals, employers and the region as a whole. I would like to congratulate all of the winners and the finalists who are striving to make the North East a better place to live.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the independent judging panel for their hard work and of course our sponsors for making all of this possible.’’

Categories, Sponsors and Shortlisted applicants

Employers of Up to 50 Staff

Sponsored by Newcastle UXL

The winner was ‘Jet’ other finalists were:

• On Medical Ltd
• Key Enterprises
• Bliss Ability

Employers of Between 51 and 250 Staff

Sponsored by Equality North East

The winner was The North East Chamber of Commerce other finalists were:

• Cestria Community Housing Association Ltd
• Norcare Ltd
• MPH Group
• NECA (North East Council on Addictions)

Learning Providers Up to 50 Staff

Sponsored by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service, Bishop Auckland College, Sunderland City College

The winner was S&D Training Ltd other finalists were:

• Tyne North Training
• Access Training Centres

Colleges & Learning Providers with Over 50 Staff

Sponsored by Equality Champions

The winner was Darlington College, other finalists were

• Zodiac Training
• Middlesbrough College
• East Durham College

Outstanding Contribution by a Larger Organisation

Sponsored by Barbour

The winner was DISC, other finalists were:

• Home Group
• East Durham College
• Cestria Community Housing Association Ltd

Individuals Who Have Made a Difference

Sponsored by Cestria Community Housing Association Ltd

The winner was Anthony Lowes, other finalists were:

• Rachel Beadle
• Louise Pybus
• Andrea Scollen

Equality and Diversity in the Housing Sector

Sponsored by North East ALMOs (East Durham Homes, Dale & Valley Homes, The Gateshead Housing Company, Homes for Northumberland, South Tyneside Homes and Your Homes Newcastle)

Employers of Up to 50 Staff

The winner was Milbank Architects, other finalists were:

• South Tyneside Homes Independent Disability Forum
• Tony Ross Ceramic Tiling
• Woodholmes

Employers Over 50 Staff

The winner was Warmseal, other finalists were:

• Ho’ton Heating

Outstanding Practice

Sponsored by Working Links

The winner was The Cyrenians, other finalists were:

• DISC (Developing Initiatives for Support in the Community)
• Alison Miller & Claire Lawson
• Milbank Architects
• Ken Mortimer & Lucy Malarkey
• Newcastle UXL
• Sarah Jay & Tracy Loynes

Other Sponsors:

Thank you to The Home Group who sponsored the pre-dinner drinks, to the Gosforth Marriott Hotel

Please see theEquality NorthEast website for further information

<http://www.equality-ne.co.uk/projects/awards/2011 Awards/>

ENDS

NOTES TOEDITORS

Equality NorthEast is an independent, not-for-profit company that works throughout the NorthEast with the overriding aim of “leading the way to a fairer future”, by providing employers and employees across the NorthEast region with a range of services to help remove the barriers in employment and entry to employment.

Press enquiries to:

Equality North East at info@equality-ne.co.uk or 0191 4956262.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Helen .