National Diversity Awards Winners announced

The National Diversity Awards celebrates the excellent achievements of grass- root communities that tackle the issues in today’s society, giving them recognition for their dedication and hard work.

Charities, role models and community heroes are honoured at the ceremony showcasing their outstanding devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion; embracing the excellence of all our citizens irrespective of race, faith, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and culture.

The concept for the National Diversity Awards arose when The Diversity Group identified an urgent need for more positive role models to be actively promoted, with the aim to empower and inspire the wide breadth of diverse communities across the UK.

The awards are for people who inspire other individuals through their work, through their commitment to helping others, through their infectious personalities and through adversity.

The event was filmed by ITV and hosted by comic actress and writer Sally Phillips, who has starred in three Bridget Jones films. She said: “Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work and stand out achievements of role models and community groups throughout the UK is a genuine honour for me.”

POSITIVE ROLE MODEL AWARD FOR LGBT  went to Patrick Ettenes

Hailed as truely a hero, Patrick Ettenes is living with HIV and early onset, frontal lobe atrophy, dementia, the youngest person diagnosed in the UK with the particular diagnoses. He has campaigned to raise understanding and awareness around these diseases and to bring about change in society to enable people to live better with them. This includes as a member of 3 Nations Dementia Working Group, LGBT Foundation and founder of LGBT Dementia Network.

Patrick has spoken about his experiences at events across the UK. His university lecturing includes with Alzheimer’s Society and National Dementia Action Alliance about his own story and the ground-breaking ‘Bring Dementia Out’ innovation project. He has interviewed with the media including Manchester Evening News, U.S Huffington Post and has been a regular writer for Positive Light magazine in Canada.

See the full list of winners here

A man from Surbiton who defied the odds to recover from a late diagnosis of HIV has spent an evening mixing with a host of activists and campaigners.
Roland Chesters was among 124 people nominated for the National Diversity Awards to celebrate their achievements at the finals.

Roland overcame post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic ill health and discrimination to bring greater disability rights to the workplace and tackle the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS.

Roland’s work was recognised along with a breast cancer survivor who created false eyelashes for people undergoing chemotherapy, a reformed gangster and junior bake off star.

Myles Sketchley, the Youth Ambassador of Strongbones, a charity helping families and children with serious conditions of the bone, won in their category for Positive Role Model.

Roland, who has shared his experience in his book Ripples: From The Edge of Life, said: “I think everybody who made it to the shortlist should be proud of their accomplishments. Those who won thoroughly deserved their award and Myles is truly inspirational”

To learn more about the Diversty Awards see thier website here: