Barnardo’s won an award for improving LGBT+ equality at the Pink News Awards in Westminster last night.
The UK’s leading children’s charity received the Third Sector Equality Award at the ceremony which celebrates the contributions of politicians, businesses, campaigners and community groups to improving LGBT+ life in the UK.
It fought off competition from the National Theatre, Tate Galleries, St Mungo’s, Amnesty International and the National Union of Students.
Barnardo’s Chief Executive, Javed Khan, said: “We’re thrilled to win this award and delighted to have our work in improving LGBT+ equality recognised. Having a workforce that is inclusive of our LGBT+ staff and volunteers is essential if we are to fully understand and meet the needs of LGBT+ children and young people.
“Barnardo’s champions equality, diversity and inclusion and helps young people to be themselves and raises wider awareness about LGBT+ issues so they can also be supported by their peers.”
The judges were impressed how Barnardo’s puts equality and inclusion at the heart of all its work, from the way it supports children and young people to who works or volunteers for the charity. Building a diverse Barnardo’s is a core part of its ten-year corporate strategy.
The charity actively works to create a workforce that is inclusive of LGBT+ staff and volunteers in order to understand and respond to the needs of LGBT+ young people and to increase LGBT+ awareness.
Barnardo’s led campaigning for LGBT+ fostering and adoption and for around 20 years has helped many children to thrive in loving, safe family environments.
Its wide range of services to support LGBT+ young people includes the Positive Identities service that supports young people struggling with sexual orientation and gender identities. Its Department of Education-funded anti-bullying training programme challenges the attitudes and behaviour in schools, families, faith and wider communities towards LGBT+ people.
Safezone training has made Barnardo’s and its services welcoming places for LGBT+ people and has been rolled out to GP practices, health services, youth services and schools.
For full list of awards, click here: