Liberate’s CEO Vic Tanner Davy said: “The nominees are from across the islands, across business sectors and across different sizes of organisation.”

“We have had nominations from organisations that are working on different inclusion strands including women, religious minorities, children with special educational needs, older members of the community, those with mental ill health, physical disabilities, long-term illness and learning disabilities, LGBT+ people, young carers and BAME youth.”

The awards, that are open to nominees in both Bailiwicks, were first held as part of Pride week in 2016. This year the awards ceremony will be held on Friday 16 March. 

The categories themselves are as follows: 

  • Best Small to Medium Employer (up to 80 employees) (as nominated by their employee(s));
  • Best Medium to Large Employer (more than 80 employees) (as nominated by their employee(s));
  • Best Service Provider (as nominated by themselves or the general public);
  • Best Educational Initiative (as nominated by themselves or the general public);
  • Best Not-for-Profit Support Initiative (as nominated by themselves or the general public).

Mr Tanner Davy continued: “I do not envy our judges; the standard of the nominations and quality of work being carried out in this area across the islands is extremely high. As far as Liberate is concerned, every nominee is a winner for the game-changing initiatives they are putting in place to make our islands inclusive and accepting places to live and work. The awards were set up precisely to spotlight these programmes and honour the people doing such important work, often under the radar.”

The 2019 awards will be held in Guernsey.

To find out more about the awards visit www.liberate.je/awards.

Pictured above: The 2016 awards ceremony