The winners of 2021’s National Diversity Awards (NDAs) were revealed at the weekend.
Community organisations and role models from across the country headed to Liverpool’s Cathedral to witness winners being crowned the best of British diversity on the evening of 4 February. Over 50,000 people were nominated last year alone with 124 nominees shortlisted for their various achievements nationwide, as reported. Diversity stars commended for the awards ranged from an anti-knife crime activist to a support group helping hundreds of people with Multiple Sclerosis.
Anthony Olaseinde, creator of the award-winning anti-knife campaign #KEEPSHEFFIELDSTAINLESS, scooped the Positive Role Model Award (for Age) for challenging the mindset of young people around Serious Youth Violence. Disabled talent agent and filmmaker Abbie Hills received an award the Positive Role Model Award (for disability) for her tireless work to create a more diverse and inclusive entertainment industry. The gender accolade went to Black Girls Hike founder, Rhian Fatinikun for creating a nationwide hiking group addressing the lack of representation in the outdoors.
POSITIVE ROLE MODELS
Mental health advocate Keith Winestein was named LGBT Role Model of the year for his dedication to HIV and AIDS awareness across four decades; whilst Intermission Youth Theatre Founder Darren Raymond was awarded the Positive Role Model (for race, faith and religion) for transforming the lives of disadvantaged youths living in deprivation. R;pple Suicide Prevention Founder Alice Hendy scooped the Entrepreneur of Excellence Award for creating an online interceptive tool and free mental health support which has saved countless lives. The Community Organisation Award went to b:friend for building community connections, reducing isolation and supporting over 1,200 elderly neighbours in South Yorkshire.
OVO Energy won the Diverse Company Award, and MS Together were hailed for supporting 700 young people who have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Typhoons RUFC were commended for being Lancashire’s first inclusive rugby club; and WAVES Counselling Project was applauded for providing free therapy in Cornwall to over 3,100 people who are experiencing domestic abuse.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
Bad Form beat seven other competitors for closing the representation gap in the British Publishing Industry by platforming Black, Asian and marginalised writers. Furthermore, Changing Lives Community Services emerged as winners of the Multi-Strand category for developing an early intervention and prevention project helping over 1,000 children learn about the dangers of gangs. CEO of the LGBT Foundation, Paul Martin OBE received the prestigious lifetime achiever award with a list of tremendous achievements recognised by judges, including helping over 40,000 people each year.
Taking home one of the big gongs of the night was Harvey – recipient of the Celebrity of the Year Award; which he accepted with mum Katie Price (as pictured below). He scooped the award for the deeply personal documentary, which garnered over 5 million views in 30 days. Finally Paul Sesay, Founder of the NDAs, surprised long-time NDA Judge and twice shortlisted nominee Simon Green during his speech with a Special Recognition accolade for his outstanding dedication to disability rights. The seasoned Bridgend fundraiser has defied disability, cancer and massive health challenges to plan numerous fundraising events.
2021’S DIVERSITY CHAMPIONS
The full list of winners is as follows:
- Positive Role Model for Age: Anthony Olaseinde
- Positive Role Model for Disability: Abbie Hills
- Positive Role Model for Gender: Rhiane Fatinikun
- Positive Role Model for LGBT: Keith Winestein
- Positive Role Model for Race, Faith & Religion: Darren Raymond
- Community Organisation Award for Age: b:friend
- Community Organisation Award for Disability: MS Together
- Community Organisation Award for Gender: WAVES Counselling Project
- Community Organisation Award for LGBT: Typhoons RUFC
- Community Organisation Award for Race, Faith & Religion: Bad Form
- Community Organisation Award for Multi-strand: Changing Lives Community Services
- Entrepreneur of Excellence: Alice Hendy
- Celebrity of the Year: Harvey Price
- Special Recognition: Simon Green
- Diverse Company: OVO Energy
- Lifetime Achiever: Dr Paul Martin OBE
HISTORIC CHALLENGES & ACHIEVEMENTS
“Last year presented historic challenges for everyone, but with them we have also seen extraordinary and heroic achievements of people fighting to keep some of our most vulnerable communities supported,” noted TV presenter and actor Sally Phillips who hosted the 10th annual National Diversity Awards.
The UK’s diversity event celebrated 10 years of rewarding those who do not seek thanks or praise; but have an immense impact on people’s lives across communities nationwide. “The past decade has been an incredible journey,” stated the NDA’s Founder Paul Sesay. “I continue to be extremely proud of the nationwide platform that has grown year on year and remain humbled by the astonishing work that is being carried out by individuals residing from grass root communities; who effectively inspire, encourage, and uplift others to achieve unbelievable accomplishments.”
DIVERSE BRITAIN
Commenting on the awards, actor and award-winning comedian, Stephen Fry stated: “The UK is becoming more and more diverse. It is valuable that a national event is being held to celebrate our differences. Even now in today’s modern society we are still tackling issues of prejudice and discrimination; so it is important to come together and focus on those who have demonstrated an outstanding work ethic in order to enhance equality, diversity and inclusion. I am sure The National Diversity Awards will have nothing but a positive outcome for years to come.”
In addition to real life diversity heroes, a number of special guests made an appearance at the UK’s largest diversity awards to show their support for the incredible nominees who have changed the lives of many. Katie Price, footballing legend John Barnes, and the country’s much-loved TV chef Ainsley Harriott praised charities for their staggering diversity and inclusion achievements. Moonpig and Auto Trader were amongst some of the brands sponsoring the pioneering awards. Other companies supporting the event and awards included The British Army, The Open University, Direct Line Group, Kantar, MI5, MI6, GCHQ, Lush Spa, Avast Foundation, NielsenIQ and Rathbones, and of course ITV. Watch the awards ceremony, filmed by ITV, here below.
Click here to see all the finalists shortlisted for 2021’s National Diversity Awards.
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