NDA 2014 – Voices Where Heard

To be shortlisted for the 2014 National Diversity Awards is a spectacular honour. I really did not let myself think for one second that I would be shortlisted down to last 5 in Disability role model from 21k nominations, I recall finding out via social media and friends saying well done, but it was the… Continue reading NDA 2014 – Voices Where Heard

Dilys Price , Director -Touch Trust

It  is exactly twelve weeks since I had the inspiring  experience of being a winner  at the 2014 National Diversity Awards in London. I met so many beautiful and amazing people that night. It made me realize that those of us who care about celebrating diversity ,about  helping those for whom the playing field of… Continue reading Dilys Price , Director -Touch Trust

The UK’s largest Diversity Awards to be televised

The UK’s only digital television channel devoted to communities will broadcast The National Diversity Awards 2014 courtesy of Sky, on Sunday 21st December at 11.00pm Join Brian Dowling and Cerrie Burnell to celebrate the Best of British Diversity over the festive season. The glittering ceremony will be aired on Sunday 21st December at 11pm, Boxing… Continue reading The UK’s largest Diversity Awards to be televised

Where Is Justice And Equality For LGBT Asylum Seekers In The UK?

Seeking asylum is not a crime but a fundamental human right as enshrined in the United Nations Human Rights Convention 1951 Charter (UNHCR) that guarantees the rights of every individual everywhere. Gradually, this basic human right to safety is becoming elusive to anyone fleeing persecution of any sort that qualifies them as a refugee under… Continue reading Where Is Justice And Equality For LGBT Asylum Seekers In The UK?

A true recognition and celebration of diverse heroes and heroines in our community!

My profound gratitude to the National Diversity Awards Group for awarding me the winner of the Positive Role Model for LGBT National Diversity Awards 2014. Even as an asylum seeker, the NDA recognised my hard work and relentless activism for equality and human rights especially around the plights of LGBT asylum seekers in the UK.… Continue reading A true recognition and celebration of diverse heroes and heroines in our community!

Reclaiming our place in rural areas of the country

I grew up in a small rural village. From a very early age, I knew I was different. Being different left me feeling like I had no place in my hometown of Solihull, West Midlands and at 16 I moved 20 miles down the road, closer to the centre of Birmingham. Three years later, I… Continue reading Reclaiming our place in rural areas of the country

A Care Leaver Called Ben

My name is Ben. I was taken into care after my mother abandoned us as kids a couple of weeks before Christmas.  Not surprisingly, this was the single most important thing to happen in my life up to that point. Although my brother and I were initially placed together, we were separated after just one… Continue reading A Care Leaver Called Ben

Contemporary Outsider Art: the Global Context, Melbourne University, Australia.

23 – 25th October 2014 As Associate Artist with Project Ability, I recently joined forces with Elizabeth Gibson, Executive Artistic Director, Project Ability, Glasgow, to collaborate on a series of Conversations with contemporary outsider artists exploring a new critical language towards the definition of their practice. We were very excited when we got the call… Continue reading Contemporary Outsider Art: the Global Context, Melbourne University, Australia.

Saving a Life is akin to Saving the Whole of Humanity

The history of Islam tells us of the well-known story of Talha Ibn Obaidullah, a wealthy businessman and an early convert to Islam, known for his kindness, his generosity and his bravery. At a time when Islam, and religion as a whole, was being attacked by an Arab society steeped in barbarism, Talha was among… Continue reading Saving a Life is akin to Saving the Whole of Humanity

Challenging gender stereotypes in schools

Jess Day, Let Toys Be Toys Children are keen to fit in and quickly pick up ideas about what’s supposedly ‘for boys’ and what’s ‘for girls’ – but this can limit what they believe they can do. Many toys and books are marketed as being for one sex or the other and children may worry… Continue reading Challenging gender stereotypes in schools