The Diversity Champions Project win Outstanding Social Behaviour Award

The University-backed project received the prize for Community Cohesion and Diversity.

The Outstanding Social Behaviour Awards (OSBA) recognise the efforts of those who have made a positive difference within their community, as well as marking the achievements of people who have had the courage and determination to move away from crime and violence.

About the project

The Diversity Champions Project is run by creators Catherine Millan and Iqra Shah, part of the BAME programme team within Student Recruitment and Widening Participation and the AIU Race Relations Resource Centre.

The project aims to improve the understanding of hate crime among schoolchildren and young people aged 13–16 and widen access to The University and life on campus.

Diversity Day at Chorlton High School
Diversity Day at Chorlton High School

Promoting diversity in the local community

Throughout the year, pupils from schools in Greater Manchester were invited to take part in different training sessions and workshops delivered by local charitable organisations who specialise in mental health, LGBTQ+ awareness, racism and discrimination.

Students learnt about different forms of hate crime and the importance of being an active bystander, before going on a field trip to Auschwitz in the summer. On their return, the pupils staged Diversity Days at their schools to share their learnings with their peers.

Catherine Millan, Student Recruitment and Widening Participation Officer BAME, comments:

“We are honoured to receive this award from OSBA. The Diversity Project grows from strength to strength every year and it’s great to work with so many dedicated young people who are passionate about reducing hate crime across our city. These young people have had such a transformational change – from knowing little about this topic to actively wanting to do more.”

“With everything going on in the world right now, in particular with the Black Lives Matter movement, I am pleased that this project – and the young people it involves – is receiving the recognition it deserves from Carisma Services through the OSBAs.”

“Thank you to The University for their continued support of the project – it’s great to come to work knowing you are also giving back to your community and doing your bit to make Manchester a safe home for everyone.”

You can follow the project on Instagram (@diversitychampionsmcr) and Twitter (@DivChampsMcr).