SAYiT and our CEO, Heather Paterson, nominated for the UK’s Largest Diversity Awards
SAYiT has been nominated for the Community Organisation Award for LGBT
(sponsored by United Utilities) at The National Diversity Awards 2023!
Our CEO, Heather Paterson, has been nominated for the Positive Role Model Award for LGBT
(sponsored by Direct Line Group) and also a Lifetime Achiever Award!
The breathtaking Liverpool Anglican Cathedral will play host to this year’s awards, to be held on 15th September 2023. Britain’s most inspirational and selfless people will come together to honour the rich tapestry of our nation, recognising individuals and groups from grass roots communities. The prestigious black tie event recognises nominees in their respective fields of diversity including age, disability, gender, race, faith, religion, and sexual orientation.
SAYiT was founded in Sheffield in 1999 and is the home of youth groups Fruitbowl and Prism. SAYiT works with young people aged 11-25 and professionals to make real lives better. We provide practical support to LGBTQ+ young people, host a parent and carer group and our training helps organisations improve knowledge and address discrimination.
Please vote for SAYiT! Voting closes on 12th May 2023.
Heather Paterson was born in 1981 in Liverpool, she moved to Sheffield in 1999 to study at Sheffield Hallam University where she was elected as LGB Officer and has worked within LGBTQ+ communities and more broadly for groups and organisations focused on equality, human rights, and social justice ever since.
Post university Heather worked for the Sheffield LGB Youth Initiative and went on to become one of the founder members of Sheffield Pride.
In 2010 Heather joined the board of directors for SilenceBreaker Media, now Libre Digital, a social enterprise supporting disadvantaged groups utilising recycled media.
She is currently the CEO of LGBTQ+ youth charity SAYiT, writes the LGBTQ+ column for Exposed Magazine, Co-chair of the Sheffield's LGBT+ Multi-Agency Network, and DJs and performs as drag alter ego Anna Kissed.
Please vote for Heather! Voting closes on 12th May 2023.
ITV News will be working in association with The National Diversity Awards to highlight role models and community organisations on regional and national news channels.
Rachel Corp, Acting Editor, ITV News said; “We are pleased that ITV News will once again be supporting the National Diversity Awards. ITV News remains committed to telling the stories of those, who through their work and dedication to helping others have made a difference; enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion in our society.”
The UK’s largest diversity awards has attracted a growing list of supporters including Adam Hills, Graham Norton and Katie Piper. Sir Lenny Henry CBE, last year’s winner of the Celebrity of the Year gong said;
“Diversity to me means involving everybody without any discrimination; its means having integrated groups in society, it means fairness and total inclusion and that’s what the National Diversity Awards are about. Congratulations to everyone who has been nominated, you’re all doing a fantastic job, rock on!”
The National Diversity Awards receives over 60,000 nominations and votes annually. Founder & CEO Paul Sesay said, “As we enter our 11th awards season, The National Diversity Awards prepare to welcome a host of outstanding role models and charities to our family. We look to those who represent progress, spirit and resilience, and I cannot wait to learn about the wonderful work being carried out this year”.
Please vote for SAYiT and Heather by clicking the links below!
Voting closes on 12th May 2023.
Vote for SAYiT: https://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/awards-2023/nominations/sayit-sheena-amos-youth-trust/
Vote for our CEO, Heather Paterson: https://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/awards-2023/nominations/heather-paterson/