Equity Partnership Awards 2009
Nineteen groups and individuals nominated for first Equity Partnership LGB Awards
Award 1) The Most LGB Aware Public Sector Organisation or Department
Award 2) The Most Innovative Community Group
Award 3) The Equity Partnership Vicky Statler Award for Art and Creativity
1) The Most LGB Aware Public Sector Organisation or Department
There were 6 nominations for this award.
Bradford and Airedale Training PCT
B&AtPCT is committed to eliminating all forms of inequality and discrimination that impact on its staff or patients. It supports the LGB staff network which meets at the Equity Centre, it completes diversity audits and funds the innovative health programme at the Equity Partnership. In 2007 it supported the LGB Health Needs Assessment for Bradford and leads on the implementation group. In 2009 it was awarded funding from the national Pacesetters programme to improve breast and cervical screening for lesbians and bi-women which will be internationally showcased. It supported Bradford Pride in 2008. Most recently it is considering funding a new and innovative toolkit for lesbian sexual health work as part of its Inspiration Awards.
Bradford Council LGB Employee Focus Group
The LGB employee focus group meets at the Equity Centre and has produced an excellent information booklet which was launched at a high profile event at the National Media Museum. It delivers training for Council staff in LGB awareness. It supported the Council’s work on achieving the Equalities standard. Recently it facilitated a sub-regional meeting for other LGB networks in local authorities and is also supporting the Lord Mayor’s IDAHO reception planned for Monday 18th May 2009 from 6pm-8pm. It has strong and proactive links with the Trade Union Unison.
Brunel Housing
Brunel was established in 1968 by Bradford Council and the charity Shelter, to tackle the shortage of quality housing for lower income households in Bradford. It is now part of the Yorkshire Housing Group. In the past year they have developed their diversity policy, appointed a staff member as a LGB youth champion, effectively tackled homophobic hate crime incidents for their tenants and they also sponsored Bradford LGB Pride. Their cleaning agency, which employs adults with learning disabilities, also cleans the Equity Centre. In addition Brunel also distributed postcards about Equity Partnership’s work to its tenants.
City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Bradford Council was awarded the Equalities Standard in 2008 and is committed to working towards the Excellence level of this award. The council is committed to monitoring sexual orientation for the first time and this commitment will be demonstrated in the local Places Survey in 2009. It has supported the Equity Partnership since its inception, signing the lease on the Equity Centre and supporting its Community Development work through the Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership. The Council supports groups at the Equity Centre for older people (Older and Bolder and Older and Wilder) as well as the youth group (Sound ). The council undertook the data analysis for the LGB Health Needs Assessment. It supports the LGB Neighbourhood Forum, Bradford Pride 2008, and IDAHO with a special Lord Mayor’s reception planned for Monday 18th May 2009 from 6pm-8pm. Idaho is the International Day of Action Against Homophobia.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
West Yorkshire Fire Service moved from 43rd to 39th in the national Stonewall Diversity list in 2009. They have a committed diversity team and an action plan to improve their work and support the LGB staff network which has met at the Equity Centre. In 2008 they supported and sponsored Bradford Pride as well as advertising in the region’s gay magazine “Shout!”. The Fire service has been a guest on the Equity LGB Radio Show.
West Yorkshire Police
West Yorkshire Police rose from 51st in the national Stonewall Diversity list to 22nd in the 2009 league table. Over twelve uniformed Police officers attended Bradford Pride in 2008 (this event was also sponsored by the Police) and has led initiatives on homophobic hate crime including supporting a homophobic Hate Crime panel for Bradford which will be launched on the 19th May at 6pm in the Equity Centre. The force has supported PC Mark Carter who was awarded the Mr Gay UK crown in 2006 with Police colleagues attending the final in Blackpool and many other fundraising events. Mark also opened the Equity Centre open access cafe as well as doing regular appearances on the Equity Radio show.
