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Islanders who have made a special contribution to equality and diversity in Jersey are to be recognised for their efforts tomorrow in equality charity Liberate's Difera Awards.
The awards, which were interrupted for several years, are set to return on Friday 2 February.
The Difera Awards aim to reward islanders who have made a difference to equality in Jersey – whether individuals, charities, Government initiatives or companies.
In December, the public were invited to nominate entrants for eight categories.
After being narrowed down to a shortlist of finalists, an independent judging panel decide the winners.
Two special awards and a lifetime achievement award will also be given out.
Express took a look at the nominees...
Les Landes School's Year 4 class were particularly committed to inclusion in their school and beyond.
They learnt Makaton, a language designed to help people with neurodivergent needs, disabilities and cognitive impairments, as well as British Sign Language, to better communicate with people in their communities.
Children in the class have run evening classes, led assemblies on inclusion, and formed a Signing Choir – and were described in their nomination as "a beacon of excellent practice".
Jack Stevens and Isaac Terrant, both students at Victoria College, worked alongside the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce.
They helped shape the survey, increased male engagement with it, and spoke at the taskforce's report launch.
The duo were described as "nothing short of inspirational in their willingness to be open about discussing male violence, but also in their optimism" in their nomination.
The JCG Student Group on Ending VAWG also helped shape the VAWG taskforce's young people survey, and raised awareness of violence against women and girls over the course of the past two years.
They were described as having "shown vision in leading the charge on ensuring women and girls feel safe in all spaces and should not have to experience violence in any form simply for being women and girls".
The Joint Working Group (JCG and VCJ) was formed three years ago and have built relationships between the two schools – producing a joint charter, running joint events and lessons, and inviting one another to school assemblies.
They created "a powerful foundation for our student communities through their dedication to the Liberate values of diversity, inclusion, fairness, equality, respect and acceptance", according to their nomination.
JE was recognised for its commitment to diversifying a male-dominated industry and shifting the culture of their organisation.
This included a full diversity and inclusion audit – and employees saw a positive change in their working environment, according to their nomination.
The States of Jersey Police got the nod for engaging with the VAWG taskforce and acknowledging the system's failings, rather than taking them as personal criticism of their leadership team.
"Huw Williams and Alison Fossey’s input into the VAWG report as part of the taskforce was of immense value in explaining what happens currently, what the systemic problems are for the police dealing with VAWG crimes, and how the system could improve," according to their nomination.
ITV were celebrated for their approach to stories, the use of their own diversity panel as a "critical friend", and for treating their employees well, regardless of personal characteristic.
"This is not a company afraid of diversity, this is one that embraces it and sees the value in serving every member of the islands' public every day," according to their nomination.
The States of Jersey's LGBTQ+ Employee Network held their 'The Courage To Be You' conference in April. They engaged with Jersey Youth Parliament, held a Lesbian Visibility Week Quiz, and hold regular meet-ups.
They are described as having made "great strides in fostering a sense of community and providing opportunities for learning for LGBTQ+ members of staff and allies alike".
The Embrace Our Difference event created a space for people with disabilities and practitioners to meet and share best practices.
The culmination of the disability inclusion team's work was described as "a purposeful and joyous event".
Jersey International Cultural Centre, launched in 2023, creates a space for all cultures to flourish and making opportunities accessible to people of all backgrounds.
The difference they made was felt in the community, according to their nomination.
The Education Inclusion Charter was created after meeting with schools, youth organisations and more.
Having an education inclusion charter "will guide schools in their inclusion work," according to their nomination.
The Co-Production Network was created to put together a co-production framework for Jersey's mental health services. The group involved people with lived experience, clinicians, third-sector workers, the government, and carers, to bring together the whole mental health system
They "demonstrated the common ground of motivation, hope, knowledge and experiences of everyone for changing the mental health system for the better, thus being able to maintain the positive change that is long overdue in Jersey".
AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey supports people with neurodiversity in a newly-created hub, where they run community events, community groups including gaming, boxing, trapeze yoga, and a peer support group, and they also have counselling facilities.
The charity "are making a very big difference and... have the ability and passion and knowledge to make the island a better place," according to their nomination.
The Art in the Frame Foundation helps artists and makers exhibit their work through exhibitions and events, and provides arts education, workshops and courses that are inclusive to all islanders.
They were nominated "for their inclusivity and their achievements in 2023 despite huge relocation challenges".
"They have increased their provision to provide equal access to the arts for all," says their nomination.
Eyecan were recognised for their Children's Spectacle Voucher Scheme which supports young people who need glasses but financially might not be able to afford it.
The scheme has grown to support 1,833 young people, 805 of which took pare in the scheme in 2023.
The scheme "has provided an inclusive service so that all young people can have the opportunity to benefit, making early correction to their eyesight and helping to sustain that high percentage in terms of preventing longer-term sight loss".
Citizens Advice Jersey was recognised for its complete refurbishment, aligning with the category criteria.
The four-month project improved the facilities available to users while continuing their normal operations.
They were described as "a silent, exceptional charity that does extraordinary work".
Jersey Youth Performing Arts were recognised for their "totally inclusive" performance of Frozen, along with the opportunities they give to all young people to develop their singing, dancing and acting skills.
They open the performing arts up to "young people who might not otherwise get this opportunity," according to their nomination.
AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey were nominated for creating a safe space for its 1,400 members in their Facebook group.
Members can post for advice and for more complex issues receive advice from two UK experts who are on hand to help.
The Residents at Jersey Cheshire Home who all face different disabilities, were nominated for the journeys they took taking on a 40-day challenge, pushing themselves and taking ownership of the personalised challenge they set for themselves.
Some took part in physical challenges such as walking, using disability adapted equipment, swimming, or cycling, others painted a mural, relearnt how to do calligraphy, learnt to play a song or planted flowers.
Through their efforts, they reached both their individual goals and their fundraising target.
Focus UP is a group for mental health service users to lead, influence and design mental health policy. They work with users as well as carers and mental health services to improve the provision, as well as raise awareness.
They were described as "an amazing group of humans who are passionate about making sure that the voice and lived experience of people severely affected by mental illness is heard and acted upon".
The Sparky Parkies Choir is Parkinson's Jersey's choir, aiming to improve members' mental health and giving them a sense of community – while providing a fun form of speech therapy.
Members "get so much from attending the choir and sharing experiences and concerns with other people," their nominator said.
Anagen Hair salon filled a "desperate need" for a local hairdresser who can style black hair, and has become a go-to for Jersey's Afro-Caribbean community since opening.
Owner Lesley provides advice and support for islanders – including helping them navigate Jersey's immigration system, sitting with people at the hospital and in meetings, helping people access their right to live and work here.
She is also a historian and described as "a fount of knowledge" on British colonial presence in Africa.
Mo Jevtic , a care agency worker, was recognised for supporting a disabled young man every week, always with "a smile on their faces" – as well as raising thousands of pounds for Acorn.
Advocate Barbara Corbett was recognised for her work on equality in marriage, assisting policymakers who were amending the Children Law and Marriage and Civil Status Laws – particularly for same-sex couples.
Carolyn Rose Ramsey, the founder of Ballet d'Jerri, got the nod for bringing together a diverse group of dancers from a range of backgrounds and nationalities, whose art enriches the island and showcases the experiences of minority groups.
Anthea Carroll, Deputy Head Teacher at Springfield School, supports students with ADHD. She was recognised for teaching them "that the condition is a strength, not a weakness". Her work enabled the school to be the first in the island to receive the ADHD Friendly School award.
Stuart Barette is an autism advocate who has supported ARC teams across secondary schools, training teachers, delivering tutorials to students, and advising students and parents.
Deputy Louise Doublet was recognised for developing and lodging a law making same-sex parents' rights equal to mixed-sex parents, as well as "her passion, dedication and sheer tenacity".
Melanie Paine, AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey's lead counsellor, was nominated for setting up the charity's counselling service in the middle of 2023, giving up her free time whilst working full-time.
Dave Crossland, Jersey Electricity's Head of Organisational Development, delivered the company's diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. He was recognised for his efforts creating the strategy, shifting the workplace culture, addressing a number of angles to creating an equitable workplace.
Kate Wright led the VAWG Taskforce this year, creating 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.
Claire Mulcahy led the Citizens Advice team through their office refurbishment, creating a warm and welcoming environment, and creating "a progressive and inclusive culture change for the staff".
Dawn Burrows was nominated for her work with Art in the Frame, where she broadened the charity's provision, and in particular providing arts tuition to people living with mental illness. She raises awareness and reduced stigma for the group, drawing attention to the lack of social prescribing in Jersey, and advocates for access to the arts for all.
Jenny Stafford was nominated for her work on living with visual impairment – becoming a familiar face in the running community together with her guide dog Nan (and previously, Pacha). She sits on the Management Committee for Eyecan and is the Chair for the Sight Board, and has also arranged training for guide runners.
Katie Bastiman serves as Co-Chair of the States of Jersey's LGBTQ+ employee network, where she marked Pride Month by organising poetry workshops – events that "allowed all who attended to feel relaxed, comfortable, and respected". She organised an introductory session on Queer Theory and more.
Nicholas Ozouf is an employment co-ordinator with the Jersey Employment Trust, where he is known for his can-do positive attitude, according to his nomination. He has taken on a number of fundraising challenges – iincluding pedalling about 50 miles on a trike around Les Quennevais cycle track to raise money for Acorn and Cycle Without Limits.
James Montgomery, a member of Crestbridge's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Network, organised the company's Neurodiversity Week events, and has given presentation to Care College Jersey's conference and has spoken to media about autism in the workplace. He is described as "one of the nicest, friendliest and funniest people in [Crestbridge's] office".
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