The 2010 Independent Living Awards Ceremony was held at Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester on Wednesday 16th June. Awards were made to bodies or organisations which evidenced innovation and commitment beyond what is currently accepted as good practice.
This event showcased those initiatives that have led the way in supporting disabled people to be independent. The categories are based on the “Seven Needs of Independent Living” as originally drawn up by Derbyshire Coalition of Disabled People.
The Winners and Highly Commended Organisations:
(Quotes from winners are in response to the question “What makes you most proud about having won this award?”)
Accessible Information [Image: Photo shows Helen Chipchase, left and John Kay, right. Helen Chipchase is from the People and Policy Team at BT. John Kay is the Communications and Appeals Manager for Advance. ]
Winner: Advance Housing and Support
"Working with fantastic people who enjoy a fully active life in their community and demonstrate every day that disability is not a barrier to independence."
The photo on the right shows Helen Chipchase, left and John Kay, right. Helen Chipchase is from the People and Policy Team at BT. John Kay is the Communications and Appeals Manager for Advance.
[Image: Photo shows Shaun Webster, left, Frances Affleck, middle, Helen Chipchase, top right and Durbali Roy, right. Helen Chipchase is from the People and Policy Team at BT.]
Highly Commended: CHANGE
The photo on the left shows Shaun Webster, left, Frances Affleck, middle, Helen Chipchase, top right and Durbali Roy, right. Helen Chipchase is from the People and Policy Team at BT.
Accessible Public Transport
[Image: Photo shows Mark Hackett, left and Mark Dyer, right. Cllr Mark Hackett is Lord Mayor of Manchester, Mark Dyer is the Accessible Transport Manager for the Olympic Delivery Authority.]
Winner: The Olympic Delivery Authority
"The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is delighted to receive this recognition from Breakthrough UK. To have the efforts and commitment of the ODA in developing a strategy and programme of accessible transport driving both the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a great achievement. We will continue to work with all our delivery partners in London to deliver an accessible transport service across the UK which will enable disabled people to travel with independence safety and confidence."
The photo above shows Mark Hackett, left and Mark Dyer, right. Cllr Mark Hackett is Lord Mayor of Manchester, Mark Dyer is the Accessible Transport Manager for the Olympic Delivery Authority.
Good Practice in Employing Disabled People (Public and Private Sector)
Winner: GGI Office Furniture[Image: Photo shows Shahnaz Ali left and Judy Halstead, right. Shahnaz Ali is Associate Director of Equality and Diversity at NHS Northwest. Judy Halstead is HR Manager for GGI Office Furniture (UK) Ltd.]
"We are proud to receive this award as it recognises the diversity of our work force, we try to go the extra mile to make sure that we get the best out of all our staff, it feels like a great achievement when I am told (I have bought this with the money I have earned myself) or I have booked a holiday and am going to fly for the first time. This award could not have been possible without the support I get from all the Management and Staff of GGI."
The photo above shows Shahnaz Ali, left and Judy Halstead, right. Shahnaz Ali is Associate Director of Equality and Diversity at NHS Northwest. Judy Halstead is HR Manager for GGI Office Furniture (UK) Ltd.[Image: Photo shows Carl Lewthwaite, left and Shahnaz Ali, right. Carl Lewthwaite is the Company DIsability Advisor for Sellafield Sites. Shahnaz Ali is Associate Director of Equality and Diversity at NHS Northwest.]
Highly Commended: Sellafield Sites
Photo on the right shows Carl Lewthwaite, left and Shahnaz Ali, right. Carl Lewthwaite is the Company DIsability Advisor for Sellafield Sites. Shahnaz Ali is Associate Director of Equality and Diversity at NHS Northwest.
Good Practice in Employing Disabled People (Third Sector)
[Image: Photo shows Mark Harrison, left, Kathy Cowell, middle and Tracey Beadle, right. Mark Harrison is the Chief Executive of the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People, Tracey is their HR & Admin Manager. Kathy Cowell is Chair of Harvest Housing Group.]
Winner: Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People
"That our commitment to disability equality and being a beacon of good practice in employing disabled people has been recognised. It has strengthened and deepened our determination to improve what we do to improve the life chances of disabled people. Thank you to Breakthrough for your leadership in this field."
The photo above shows Mark Harrison, left, Kathy Cowell, middle and Tracey Beadle, right. Mark Harrison is the Chief Executive of the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People, Tracey is their HR & Admin Manager. Kathy Cowell is Chair of Harvest Housing Group.[Image: Photo shows Durbali Roy, left, Shaun Webster, middle-left, Frances Affleck, middle-right, and Kathy Cowell, right. Kathy Cowell is Chair of Harvest Housing Group.]
Highly Commended: CHANGE
The photo on the right shows Shaun Webster, left, Frances Affleck, middle, Helen Chipchase, top right and Durbali Roy, right. Kathy Cowell is Chair of Harvest Housing Group.
Peer Support [Image: Photo shows Maria Miller, left and Asif Iqbal, right. Asif Iqbal is Media/Project Manager for Deaf Parenting UK. Maria Miller MP is the Minister for Disabled People.]
Winner: Pathways Associates CIC
"Recognition that peer support is important in changing the lives of people with a disability for the better."
The photo above shows Maria Miller, left and Dene Donalds, right. Maria Miller MP is the Minister for Disabled People. Dene Donalds a director at Pathways Associates. [Image: Photo shows Maria Miller, left and Asif Iqbal, right. Maria Miller MP is the Minister for Disabled People. Asif Iqbal is Media/Project Manager for Deaf Parenting UK.]
Highly Commended: Deaf Parenting UK
The photo on the right shows Maria Miller, left and Asif Iqbal, right. Maria Miller MP is the Minister for Disabled People. Asif Iqbal is Media/Project Manager for Deaf Parenting UK.
Kevin Hyett Overall Independent Living Initiative
[Image: Photo shows John Kay, left and Angela Madeley, right. Angela is a Breakthrough Board member. John Kay is the Communications and Appeals Manager for Advance.]
Winner: Advance Housing and Support
"Representing people who don’t just have a disability – they have opinions, experience, equal rights and a valid voice to articulate their place in a civil and forward-looking society. We want people with disabilities to have the best housing, support and employment options possible and we are delighted that Breakthrough UK share this view."
The photo above shows John Kay, left and Angela Madeley, right. John Kay is the Communications and Appeals Manager for Advance. Angela is a Breakthrough UK Board Member.
New Category for 2010 - Young Entrepreneur
Following the success of the previous awards and the recognised contribution of young entrepreneurs in business we have launched a new award category to recognise the work they do and their achievements with the award for Young Entrepreneur.[Image: Photo shows Evelyn Asante-Mensah, left and Gareth Thompson, right. Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE is the Head of Equality and Economic Inclusion for the Northwest Regional Development Agency. Gareth Thompson runs Lawn and Leaf a gardening business in Saffron Walden.]
Winner: Gareth Thompson Lawn and Leaf
"It is a definite moment of achievement, to always be remembered over and above the daily struggles of running a business. And not only to be remembered, but passed on to my son as part of the story of his young life, and as a technical aid to show what can be achieved with enough determination and drive."
The photo shows Evelyn Asante-Mensah, left and Gareth Thompson, right. Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE is the Head of Equality and Economic Inclusion for the Northwest Regional Development Agency. Gareth Thompson runs Lawn and Leaf, a gardening business in Saffron Walden.[Image: Photo shows Evelyn Asante-Mensah, left and Jason Rhodes, right. Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE is the Head of Equality and Economic Inclusion for the Northwest Regional Development Agency. Jason Rhodes run IC Jason Rhodes, a consultancy business in Accrington.]
Highly Commended: Jason Rhodes IC Jason Rhodes
The photo on the right shows Evelyn Asante-Mensah, left and Jason Rhodes, right. Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE is the Head of Equality and Economic Inclusion for the Northwest Regional Development Agency. Jason Rhodes run IC Jason Rhodes, a consultancy business in Accrington.
