Kingston has achieved eight local nominations in The National Diversity Awards

The National Diversity Awards recognises charities, role models and community heroes across the nation for their outstanding devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion.

To find out more about our eight local nominees and to vote for them please follow the links below. 

Ian Thomas - CEO Kingston Council
Lifetime Achiever Award

Since childhood Ian has had a strong belief that fairness and equity should prevail across all aspects of life. This led to Ian choosing a career in the public and charitable sectors, dedicating 35 years to this cause.

As a diversity champion and one of only 1.5% CEOs of Black, Asian & minority ethnic origin across all sectors in the UK, Ian, together with elected members and his team have made equality of opportunity a priority in Kingston and are working hard to close the gap for some of the most marginalised people in society.

Express CIC
Community Organisation Award for Disability

This user-led voluntary organisation provides information and support to autistic children, young people and their families. What started around a kitchen table is now the ‘go to’ place for Kingston and Richmond families. Express now run a busy ‘mini hub’ in Tolworth and host a number of services including: therapy, counselling, work experience, student placements, as well as a drama group.

Kingston Centre for Independent Living (KCIL)
Community Organisation Award for Disability

KCIL is committed to meeting the needs of disabled people in and around the borough of Kingston and beyond, particularly by representing and supporting the full equality and inclusion of disabled people, to help them lead independent and empowering lives.

Kingston Carers Network (KCN)
Community Organisation Award for Multi-Strand

KCN is a local registered charity, providing independent information, advice, advocacy and support to people who care for someone living in the borough of Kingston. The network is currently supporting over 3,000 adult carers and over 700 young carers in Kingston through a wide range of services.

Mind in Kingston
Community Organisation Award for Multi-Strand

Mind in Kingston is working hard to ensure that everyone with a mental health issue in and around the borough of Kingston gets support and respect. They provide a range of services designed to support people with mental health issues to maintain and improve their mental wellbeing, increase their self-esteem and self-confidence, make meaningful connections with others and be able to live independently.

Joe Fautley
Positive Role Model Award for Disability

As a young adult on the Autism Spectrum, Joe has been involved in various projects which enable Autistic people and people with disabilities to have a voice in decision-making and making a positive impact on society.

Joe has worked with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) to co-plan and co-deliver professional training sessions about Autism and disabilities, as well as creating a podcast and blog documenting his personal experiences of Autism, Mental health and Anxiety.

Rosalind Hardy
Positive Role Model Award for Disability

A local Autistic role model and SEND Champion who works as an Associate Trainer for the National Children’s Bureau (NCB).

Rosalind uses her own experiences as an Autistic person to support young people with disabilities through local participation and is a passionate advocate for disabled children and young people.

Nadia Bukhari
Positive Role Model Award for Race, Religion & Faith

Nadia Bukhari is a British pharmacist of Pakistani origin based in Surbiton, alongside her work she is involved in a number of charitable programmes and is passionate about reducing the gender gap.

In 2018, she was awarded the status of Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) making her the youngest female fellow under the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. In addition, she is the first Muslim female and British Pakistani to be a board member of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy for England.

To find out more about the awards, visit: nationaldiversityawards.co.uk.