Able Magazine have become an established media partner with the National Diversity Awards. Editor, Tom Jamison, has been taking part in the annual ceremony as an awards presenter since 2013 and more lately a judge.
“This year was the best ever” says Tom, adding “The NDAs have really taken a hold now and I’m glad to say that there’s no stopping them. With 55,000 nominees in the various categories making them a major voice for diversity in the UK – and an increasingly difficult job come the judging process!”
The Positive Role Model for Disability was scooped by Abbie Hills, a talent agent and filmmaker with cerebral palsy who has been working and campaigning towards increasing diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
The Celebrity of the Year Award presentation raised one of the loudest cheers of the night as Harvey Price took to the stage with his mum, Katie Price. Harvey and Katie documented a crucial year in his life during 2021 in a deeply personal film which highlighted the joys and challenges of growing up with additional needs. In 2019 Parliament backed ‘Harvey’s Law’ to increase efforts to criminalise social media trolling.
As sponsor of the Community Award, Disability, Tom Jamison presented the trophy to MS Together, a group dedicated to supporting young people with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Founder of the group, Amy Thompson said: “I just want to thank every member of MS Together, they’ve made it the safe, supportive place that it is”.
A Special Recognition Award was also given to long-time NDAs judge, Simon Green, who has twice been nominated for a disability role model award. Simon has contributed an enormous amount of energy and insight and worked with Tom Jamison, providing insight into the disability categories. Tom said: “It’s not quite the same without Simon. I always enjoy working with him because he brings a real passion and expertise to the process.”
The 2021 awards were again held in Liverpool’s glorious Anglican cathedral and were rescheduled from last year, due to the pandemic. This was the 10th awards ceremony and there was a jubilant anniversary buzz from start to finish.
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
Watch the Awards via: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUdurO_Gvyo
