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Islanders gathered on Friday to celebrate people who have championed equality and diversity in Jersey.
It was the first time Liberate's Difera Awards were held since 2018. Here's the full list of winners...
The winner, Les Landes School Year 4, learnt Makaton and British sign language to better communicate with people in their communities. Children in the class have run evening classes, led assemblies, and formed a Signing Choir that performed in the Christmas Carol Service and won an award at the Eisteddfod.
Shortlist:
Jack Stevens and Isaac Tarrant
JCG Student Group on Ending VAWG
Joint Working Group (JCG and VCJ)
Winners ITV Channel were celebrated for their "meticulous" approach to stories about minority groups and the use of their own diversity panel as a "critical friend", and for treating their employees well, regardless of personal characteristic.
Shortlist:
States of Jersey Police
Jersey Electricity
The Mental Health Co-Production Network brought together people with lived experience, clinicians, third-sector workers, the government, and carers, with the goal of creating a co-production framework for Jersey's mental health services.
Shortlist:
States of Jersey LGBTQ+ Employee Network
Embrace Our Difference
Jersey International Cultural Centre
Education Inclusion Charter
Winners Citizens Advice Jersey underwent a major refurbishment in 2023, a four-month project that improved the facilities available to users while continuing their normal operations. They were described as "a silent, exceptional charity that does extraordinary work".
Shortlist:
AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey
Art in the Frame Foundation
EYECAN
Jersey Youth Performing Arts
Winners Anagen Hair, filled a "desperate need" for a local hairdresser who can style Black hair, has become more than a specialist service - with owner Lesley spending hours sitting with people at the hospital and in appointments, helping them navigate the island's immigration system or support people experiencing discrimination. She is also a historian and described as "a fount of knowledge" on British colonial presence in Africa.
Shortlist:
AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey
Disabled Residents at Jersey Cheshire Home
Focus UP
Sparky Parkies Choir
Winner Advocate Barbara Corbett has campaigned for equality in marriage, assisting policymakers who were amending the Children Law and Marriage and Civil Status Laws – particularly for same-sex couples.
Shortlist:
Mo Jevtic
Carolyn Rose Ramsey
Anthea Carroll
Stuart Barette
Chair of the VAWG taskforce, Kate Wright, won the award after working on a cohesive plan to tackle violence against women and girls. She is described as leading "with strength and compassion at all times", but never wavering in going above and beyond.
Shortlist:
Deputy Louise Doublet
Melaine Paine
Dave Crossland
Claire Mulcahy
Winner Nicholas Ozouf, an employment co-ordinator with the Jersey Employment Trust, has taken on a number of fundraising challenges – including pedalling about 50 miles on a trike around Les Quennevais cycle track to raise money for Acorn and Cycle Without Limits, raising £1,000 for each of the charities. His nomination also commended his attitude towards disability, quoting him as saying: "People are only disabled if due to the environment or situation they cannot be involved or included... If we can provide the right environment, equipment and support to ensure that people with disabilities are always included, then we can ensure that they are not disabled."
Shortlist:
Dawn Burrows
Jenny Stafford
Katie Bastiman
James Montgomery
The Liberate Special Award went to Jersey College for Girls and Victoria College for their work aiming to reduce violence against women and girls.
Liberate's Chief Executive, Vic Tanner Davy, said: "With our Special Award we were delighted to recognise the important work done by Jersey College for Girls and Victoria College to reduce the incidents of violence against women and girls.
"The way the two schools have approached the problem, and in just two years turned the relationship between the boys and girls around is an example of what can be done with determination and strong leadership.
"If the island as a whole followed their example and concentrated for two years on addressing the systemic changes recommended by the VAWG Report, imagine what we could achieve."
The Liberate Lifetime Achievement Award went to Dean Lowe, who died in a collision last summer alongside his son Charlie. A Jersey Employment Trust employment coordinator, he was described by the company as enthusiastic and always going the extra mile. Tributes after his death described him as a "hero" dad, "committed tirelessly to providing opportunities for those in need". He was previously awarded a posthumous Pride of Jersey award in October.
Vic Tanner Davy said: "Our Lifetime Achievement Award was very special this year as it recognised the work of Dean Lowe, who the island lost tragically far too soon.
"We worked with Dean on a number of occasions, so we knew how passionate he was about diversity and inclusion generally, but also for his clients at JET.
"We were very pleased to welcome Kay, Dean’s Mum, and his family, friends and colleagues to join us, and that Kay felt she could share a little about Dean’s accepting and generous personality with the audience.
"Her speech and the tribute from Dean’s JET colleagues were very moving."
Pictured - top: Winners were recognised on Friday night (Nicky Kill @ Pinhole Photography)
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