2011 Nominees and Winners

Youth – Individual

Junaid Iqbal – Youth mentor and Volunteer Radio Producer for Community Voice FM Radio & Middlesbrough Council’s My Place Youth Initiative.

Martyn Hudson (North of England Refugee service) - For dedication to the wellbeing of refugees and asylum seekers and development of youth provision.

Nikki Hanif – (Corner House Project) - for developing youth work activities and opportunities for BME Young people in Stockton.

The winner has played a pivotal role in a number of different organisations, supporting the  development of numerous youth projects. With a gift for IT and media this young volunteer has unselfishly dedicated hundreds of hours, volunteering to support the development and delivery of youth projects as a peer mentor.

Organisations which have greatly benefited as result of his voluntary work include Middlesbrough Council’s myplace initiative, Community Voice FM Radio, “We Are Golden Project” and BME Network to mention a few.

Winner - Junaid Iqbal

 

Youth – Organisation

Al – Haadiyah – For developing learning and training opportunities for Muslim young people through the development of weekend school.

North of England Refugee Service – For development of youth provision for refugees and asylum seekers.

Ormesby Hall Cricket Club – For creating a sporting platform to empower BME young people to achieve goals and leadership ambitions.

This winning organisation is unique in the sense that, it is sailing in uncharted waters, which have never been navigated by BME led organisations before in this region. Using the South Asian communities love and passion for cricket and developing it into platform which make dreams come true for young people, raising aspirations, creating a sense of community pride and developing a winning “Can do mentality”.

Winner - Ormesby Hall Cricket Club

 

Community – Individual

Amanah Khalid - For the developing services to support and mentoring of new Muslims.

Vusi Bhekimpilo Nava – For contribution to the delivery of community based support services which assists individuals to recover from addiction in Middlesbrough.

Dr Shafiq – For charitable endeavours which support needy individuals who require medical help as a result of natural disasters.

The winner of this magnificent award has been a leading light in the Tees Valley community for well over a decade now, whether it’s a local community development project or International disaster emergency appeal, he can be found at the thick of action.

During the catastrophic Kashmir earth quake in 2005 and the recent floods in Pakistan this person has been instrumental in coordination of the community to support relief efforts.

Aside from raising funds he has also led several medical expeditions to the affected regions taking a team of specialist doctors and consultants to carry out life saving operation and offering medical assistance.

Winner - Dr Mohammed Shafiq

 

Community – Organisation 

Tees Fast FM Radio – For development of Radio service broadcast services and media training and volunteer opportunities for socially marginlised section of the community.

Stockton BME Network – For supporting the development of the BME community sector in Stockton and creating a opportunities for development.

International Centre Middlesbrough – For being a social and community hub for the BME community, which guides and signposts residents to access provision.

This organisation has developed a community platform which is greatly anticipated and accessed by over 10,000 people from the Tees Valley region.

The self-funded project has been in existence for over 10 years, evolving and growing to become a bespoke media platform for the Muslim Community during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

During this year’s broadcast the station raised in excess of £75,000 for local causes as well as developing international capital projects. The organisation provides programming and entertainment enjoyed by 1000’s of Muslims living and working in the Tees Valley region.

Winner – TeesFast FM Radio Ramadan

 

Women of the Year

Rukhsana Aslam (Ethnic Library Services)– For her dedication and support for BME communities, especially for helping BME women to access learning & training opportunities.

Amanah Khalid (Volunteer Community Organiser) – For the development of community led projects which support the empowerment of Muslim women.

Chantelle Breka (Women’s Health & Cultural Organisation) - working to improve the health and well–being of BME Women through the development of accessible and culturally appropriate services.

We’ve heard a lot in recent months about the “big society” from politicians and commentators, but this lady has been practicing and promoting that concept for years.

As volunteer community organiser with a steel determination and the word “NO” missing from her vocabulary she has managed to develop countless projects and initiatives which promote the empowerment of women, promote integration, healthy lifestyle and active citizenship, which have support 100’s of women from across the North East.

Winner -  Amanah Khalid

  

Public Sector Award

Middlesbrough Community Regeneration Team – For their continued commitment to supporting, developing and empowering BME Communities in Middlesbrough.

Stockton Bourgh Council – for their approach to volunteering opportunities for Bme individuals and advancing equality of opportunity for diverse groups.

Holme House Prison (Equality & Public Confidence) – For demonstrating a proactive approach to engaging with and involving diverse communities to enhance prisons Equality & Public Confidence agenda.

Whilst most departments within public sector bodies are struggling to reflect the communities they serve, this team has over 22% of workforce from the BME community.

They don’t just talk equality but practice it every day by supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and Refugee communities.

Whether that’s through the strategic organisational development of BME groups and organisation or the involvement of BME residents in social, cultural and religious activities.

This team has the finger on the pulse when to come to BME involvement and community Cohesion, supported by a team of dedicated Neighbourhood Managers and community workers operating across the town.

Winner -  Middlesbrough Council’s Community Regeneration Team.

 

Education Award

Middlesbrough College – In recognition for their cohesive education community and variety of courses meeting bespoke community needs.

Hartlepool College – For their commitment to engaging with BME communities and offering tailored and flexible learning provision within a community setting.

Teesside University – For their continued commitment to supporting local residents and creating a welcoming environment for International students.

In today’s society when organisations struggle to get representative cohorts, this organisation not only reflects the BME community but excels at the engagement of BME young learner, developing them into tomorrow’s engineers, doctors and Business leaders.

With its icon learning facility, this organisation not just acts as catalyst for physical regeneration in Middlesbrough but leading a education revolution with the BME community in mind.

Winner-  Middlesbrough College

 

BME Business Award

Akbars – For developing a successful business model which has brought the Indian cuisine to new a generation of connoisseurs, providing much need employment opportunity in the catering sector.

SK Chilled Foods – For showing continued commitment to race equality and developing employment opportunities from which the BME community have greatly benefited Employing over 400 people across 3 sites.

Kashmir International Food Store – A family business which goes above and beyond the call of duty to serve its diverse community base, the store acts a social and information hub for the International community living in the Tees Valley.

As Businesses fight for survival in this economic downturn, we see more empty premises than ever, this thriving business has recently set up yet established itself as one of most vibrant places to be .

With the employment of over 50 local BME staff their customer service skills and attention to detail are just one of the reasons people flock there time after time.

Testament to the success here in Tees Valley, yet another branch has opened more North of the region it’s fair to say it’s one of the most exciting eateries we have seen here..

Winner - Akbar’s

 

BME Business Person of the Year Award

Carl Cummings - a bidding entrepreneur who has taking the initiative and his professional expertise and transferred this into Cares Corner who now provide and create portals for people to connect online enabling carers to be connected.

Hamid Shan - his property portfolio and business skills have been recognised within the community and local partnerships further afield

Nas Khan - for his role as an inspirational business leader and positive role model within the BME community. 

This deserving winner is an inspirational business leader representing the entrepreneurial spirit and ethics of hard work instilled by the pioneering 1st & 2nd Generation of economic migrants from south Asia.

After gaining his degree at Manchester University, he joined Jennings in 1984 as a Sales Executive.

Having worked his way through the ranks he was made Sales & Marketing Director in 1990. In 2005 he was appointed Managing Director.

Winner -  Nas Khan.

 

Housing Diversity Champion

Kew Lim - recognising her work in partnership with Tees Valley Housing to develop specific housing tenure for the Chinese community

Ronnie Harris - for her leadership qualities in driving the Inclusion agenda across the Company and achieving positive outcomes for diverse groups

Nigel Day - for his dedicated work in the Equality & Diversity field not only within his organisation but wider afield.

As self-regulation becomes the way forward for Housing Associations, effective, strong leadership is pivotal in driving forward service excellence and positive outcomes for all communities.

This individual has continually seen the importance of achieving excellence through the value of embedding diversity with their SMT and staff within their organisation.

A modest individual whose successful leadership has reaped excellent outcomes internally, recognised and respected amongst her peers.

Winner -  Ronnie Harris

 

Housing Sector Award

Ermius Housing - for their work in supporting a focus group for BME residents and specific projects promoting the race equality agenda

Vela Group - for their work in Hartlepool and their dedicated BME lettings group in partnership with the council.

Coast & Country - in recognition for the workbook they have produced which raises awareness to staff and has inspired innovation through learning.

Many organisations reap the benefits of working closely with their diverse group in meeting their needs and aspirations.

However, this landlord has continually supported and facilitated BME residents by providing the empowerment tools to facilitate change in making neighbourhoods safer and more cohesive.

The dedication of the support teams within this Organisation is the reason why the Group they support is becoming a flagship in BME resident involvement.

Winner -  Erimus Housing

 

Life Time Achievement Award for 2011

Winner - Choon Dee Neoh

Choon Dee has been an active community volunteer since 1989 when she joined the Management Board of the North of England Chinese Association and has accumulated 1000s of hours of committed and enthusiastic volunteering ever since.

Some of Choon Dee’s volunteering credentials include: Chair of Tees Valley Chinese Community Centre; Management Board Stockton International Family Centre; Management Board Tees Valley Trust Ltd; Management Board Tees Valley Housing; Vice-secretary UK Federation of Chinese Schools; Chair Recreation & Culture UK Federation of Chinese Schools; Chair Stockton Black & Minority Ethnic Network; and, member of Teesside Women’s Multi-Ethnic Health & Health Care Forum.

Though Choon Dee actively and formally represents people from BME communities, she also plays an extensive role in bringing communities together by working with mainstream organisations and the statutory sector.  Choon Dee has been a representative on Stockton’s LSP and Housing Board and has helped both BME and mainstream communities gain a greater understanding of each other – her work here has had a far-reaching impact on BME communities, particularly women from these communities, using more and more of the service provision; encouraging more people from the BME communities to engage in mainstream activity has also benefited service providers and allowed them to, where possible or necessary, change the way they deliver their services and able to maintain a dialogue for future change.

However, when looking at Choon Dee’s impressive record of volunteering, it can be seen that her contribution has had a significant and profound effect on women from the BME communities.  Some of Choon Dee’s community work that has a real impact on women include:

Helping set up the weekly get-together of local Asian women and children in the Parkfield area to talk about family issues.  Over a period of 6 months or so, women from this group got together and set up the Stockton Family Centre – which eventually became Stockton International Family Centre (SIFC).  This became a place where women could meet, talk about family, health, money, culture and the education of their children:  women were able to organise classes in ESOL, sewing, literacy & numeracy as well as family and child subjects, including the now well established Children & Urdu Project which hosts from 80 to 100 children five nights a week.

The Teesside Women’s Multi-Ethnic Health Care Forum, which was a forum set up by 12 women from the BME community whose main aim was to tackle inequalities in health and care amongst ethnic minorities in Teesside.

Among other things, this Women’s Forum sought to ensure that local ethnic communities had an effective, ongoing dialogue with the then Tees Health Authority (THA), and to ensure THA and health agencies gathered views from ethnic communities.

The work undertaken by this group set the foundation for a number of research and mapping projects relating to women’s health.  For example, SIFC subsequently conducted research and mapping projects into Cervical Cancer within the ethnic communities and Breast Cancer Awareness within women from Stockton’s BME communities.

These research project undertaken by the SEHAT team at SIFC helped the health services gain a greater understanding of the perceptions, attitudes,  knowledge and concerns of women from Stockton’s ethnic communities in relation to breast and cervical cancer awareness.

Choon Dee has chaired Stockton BME Network for 2 terms in succession and has worked on increasing the number of women joining the Network.  In late 2007 the increase in women-only groups joining the Network saw women formally become the majority. Moreover, Choon Dee has helped women-only groups access mainstream services and aided these groups, through referral or otherwise, to gain funding to support their activity:  including health, sewing and socializing, women-only groups have been able to access over £20,000 to run or help sustain their activity.

The net benefit of this work means that more women are starting to use mainstream services, expectations are getting higher, understanding is becoming more widespread, which all combine to give women more confidence to start using services: this is particularly pleasing when looking at the increase in the number of women using health related services.  Moreover, this kind of intervention facilitates services providers when looking at ways of improving or changing the way they inclusively deliver their services. 

In addition to encouraging women from the ethnic communities to engage in more social activities, Choon Dee has helped guide more women into the decision making processes, by encouraging women to put themselves forward for boards, committees or panels. Choon Dee has always advocated the need for ways and methods to encourage more women to get involved as councillors, magistrates and other influential decision-making boards.  As a champion of this cause, Choon Dee’s most recent success was her working with Stockton’s BME Network Coordinator in the planning, preparation and presentation of a bid which, among other things, seeks to invest in the confidence building of BME women who aspire to sit on the majestry or to put themselves forward and LA councillors.

Confidence is a huge barrier when it comes to women engaging in mainstream activity, and in her voluntary and community role, Choon Dee has helped many women overcome this hurdle and is still doing today what she set out to do over 20 years ago.