Equality North East

Awards

2007

Winners

There were a record breaking number of applications for this years awards. The standard was extremely high. We would like to thank all of the applicants. Congratulations to the finalists and winners: -

Award for Employers of Between 51 and 250 Staff

Blyth Valley Housing

Blyth Valley Housing manages around 7,000 homes in the Blyth Valley area. Exceptional policies and procedures underpinned a real desire to get it right. They do it all, equal pay audits, impact assessments, promotion of work-life balance, monitoring and much more. They showed a real in depth understanding of what equality is all about and what is more have made huge changes in their practices over a very short period.

Award for Employers of Between 11 and 50 Staff

Stockton International Family Centre

SIFC is a multi-racial resource centre in the Tees Valley delivering a portfolio of services to local residents. In delivering their service SIFC says �Our simple ethos of whoever you are, wherever you are from we are here to support you� seems to do the trick. The Judges thought that this ethos was also strongly evident within their internal policies and practices.

Award for Employers of up to 10 Staff

The Millin Centre

The Millin Centre provides Training, Educational and recreational activities for BME communities in the West end of Newcastle. The Judges thought that this was: �A professional organisation with an informal work style and effective management procedures which are shared and communicated.�

Award for Learning Providers of up to 50 Staff

BL Hairdressing Training

BL Hairdressing Training aims to be the leading hairdressing training organisation in the North East. The Judges found this organisation to be pro-active and passionate in striving to ensure equality of opportunity for staff and learners. This, and their excellent support measures, have had a proven impact on their success rates.

Award for Learning Providers & Colleges of over 50 Staff

Newcastle College

The Judges identified an excellent range of activities aimed at achieving diversity in the workplace. A commitment to embed equality and diversity through the college�s schools structure and a wide range of support and processes with a clear positive impact on participation of learners.

Award for Larger organisations who have made an outstanding contribution in promoting equality and diversity in the community

Cummins Ltd

Cummins Limited is a design and development manufacturer of diesel engines.
To quote Cummins: �Think Globally, Act Locally.� This was certainly in evidence at their Darlington plant. Corporate Social Responsibility and Embracing Diversity are at the heart of their core values. How this works in practice can be seen across a broad spectrum of community initiatives developed through their staff Community Involvement Teams. A great example of the business case for diversity.

The Trade Unions Equality for All Award

Michael Dodd � The Deal Project

Michael was chosen for his tireless efforts, through The �DEAL� Project, to raise awareness of the barriers people face in the workplace.

Award for Individuals Who Have Made a Difference

Tom Cleary

Tom is particularly worthy because he has made a real difference in a sector where equality is not particularly high on the agenda.
This difference is not just being made in his own place of work. He is taking the time to spread the word across the industry and amongst his competitors.�

Award for Outstanding Practice

City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

The initiative gave work experience to young people with complex needs. It has had amazing success borne through the organisations determination and tenacity in overcoming barriers. It showed that by challenging prejudice a real difference can be made to the confidence, aims and aspirations of a sector of society so often overlooked.